Focused Hypersonic Communication Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sound transmission methods using hypersonic signals face challenges in delivering audible information effectively due to air's non-linear response to large amplitude signals, leading to inefficient energy conversion and limited control over the direction and depth of audio information delivery.
Innovation Solution
The use of a phased array of hypersonic transducer elements, where signals delivered to each element are adjusted in phase to focus hypersonic beams at a specific point in space, allowing for controlled direction and depth of audible information delivery by adjusting the phase delays and amplitudes, enabling precise targeting and scanning of areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hypersonic signals are transmitted using a plurality of hypersonic transducer elements driven by the same signal, then the transmission structure is simple, but the control over direction and depth of audible information delivery is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the audio information delivery into multiple focused beams, each targeting a specific detected object or neighborhood. Each beam is generated by independently controlling the phase and amplitude of individual transducer elements, allowing precise directional control while maintaining manageable system operation through modular beam management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the phase and amplitude of signals delivered to each transducer element based on real-time detection of objects in space. This dynamic control enables the focused hypersonic beams to be steered and shaped adaptively, providing excellent directional control without requiring a permanently complex fixed structure.
2Loss of energy
If hypersonic signals are transmitted with large amplitude, then the non-linear response of air enables audible sound transmission, but the energy conversion efficiency is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system concentrates hypersonic energy into tightly focused beams that deliver high amplitude signals only to specific local regions (neighborhoods of detected objects) rather than dispersing energy throughout the entire space. This localized energy concentration improves conversion efficiency by ensuring that large amplitude signals—necessary for exploiting air's non-linear response—are applied only where audible sound generation is desired, minimizing wasted energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system exploits air's non-linear response to large amplitude signals, which normally causes distortion and energy loss, by using this non-linearity as a beneficial mechanism for frequency conversion. The non-linear air response converts hypersonic frequency energy into audible frequency sound waves, transforming what would be harmful distortion into useful audible information delivery.
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional sound transmission methods are used, then the system is simple, but the precision of audio information delivery to specific locations is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of objects in space using hypersonic or other sensing techniques before delivering audio information. Based on this advance knowledge of object locations, the system pre-calculates and establishes the appropriate phase and amplitude settings for each transducer element to focus beams precisely on the detected objects, achieving high delivery precision through preparatory spatial mapping.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces traditional mechanical acoustic systems (loudspeakers, sound bars) with a phased array of hypersonic transducer elements that use electronic phase and amplitude control to achieve precise directional audio delivery. This substitution eliminates the need for physically directed acoustic devices and enables precise location-specific audio delivery through electronic beamforming control.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for efficient conversion of hypersonic energy into audible sound within a defined neighborhood, enabling precise delivery of audio information to specific locations, overcoming the limitations of traditional sound transmission methods by controlling the intensity and direction of the focused hypersonic beam.
Implementation Method 1
hypersonic transducer elements
Implementation Method 2
the response of air to transmission of large amplitude signals is not substantially linear permitting audible sound to be transmitted using hypersonic (non-audible) signals
Data Source
AI summary
This invention provides methods and apparatus for focusing a hypersonic beam to control both a direction and depth of audible information delivery. Signals that are delivered to each of a plurality of hypersonic transducer elements are adjusted in phase so that transmitted hypersonic signals are focused at a focal point anywhere in space. The focal point of a focused hypersonic beam may be used to scan a space of interest when used in a receive mode in a pinging process. When objects are detected, a focused hypersonic beam may be used to deliver audible information substantially only to a neighborhood of the detected object.