Multi-Directional Light Guide Receiver for Unaligned Optical Signals
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light-receiving devices for optical space communication struggle to receive optical signals when the positional relationship between the transmitter and receiver is unspecified, limiting their ability to capture signals from various directions.
Innovation Solution
A light-receiving device comprising a transparent light guide plate with a lens sheet and a directional light-guide layer that refracts and directs optical signals towards an emission surface, where an optical receiver converts the signals into electric signals, allowing for reception from multiple directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a light guide unit with a predetermined positional relationship is used, then the optical transmission axis and optical reception axis can be matched, but the device cannot receive optical signals from various directions when the positional relationship is not specified
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide unit is segmented into multiple light guide plates arranged in different directions. Each light guide plate has its own optical axis, allowing the system to receive optical signals from multiple directions simultaneously. This segmentation enables the receiver to capture signals regardless of the transmitter's positional relationship.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide unit is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating multiple light guide plates that can handle optical signals from different directions. This universal design allows the same device to function effectively whether the transmitter is positioned directly above, at an angle, or at various other positions, eliminating the need for precise positional specification.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a light guide unit with fixed positional relationship is used, then the structure is simple, but the optical reception cannot adapt to unspecified positional relationships between transmitter and receiver
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide unit is divided into multiple independent light guide plates, each optimized for a specific directional range. This segmentation allows the system to cover a broader angular range while maintaining relatively simple individual component structures. Each plate can be designed and manufactured independently, then assembled into a unified multi-directional reception system.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a single-axis light guide structure to a multi-axis three-dimensional arrangement of light guide plates. By adding spatial dimensions and arranging plates at different angles and orientations, the system achieves adaptability to various positional relationships without requiring overly complex individual components.
3Reliability
If precise alignment of optical transmission and reception axes is required, then signal reception is reliable, but the device cannot function when the positional relationship between transmitter and receiver is not specified
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying on a single precise alignment, the system segments the reception function across multiple light guide plates. Each plate maintains reliable reception for its specific directional range through precise manufacturing, while the collective arrangement provides flexibility for various transmitter positions. This distributes the precision requirement across multiple components rather than demanding perfect alignment for a single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple light guide plates act as intermediaries that bridge the gap between the optical transmitter and the photodetector array. Each plate serves as an intermediary element that can capture and guide optical signals from different angular ranges, ensuring reliable reception without requiring the transmitter to be precisely positioned relative to a single reception axis.
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
Enables the reception of optical signals from various directions without the need for precise alignment between the transmitter and receiver, enhancing the versatility and effectiveness of optical space communication systems.
Implementation Method 1
a lens sheet that has a structure in which a plurality of lenses are arranged, and is disposed opposite to the first surface
Implementation Method 2
a support member that supports the lens sheet in such a way that a distance between a principal surface of the lens sheet and the second surface is equal to a focal distance of the plurality of lenses
Implementation Method 3
a directional light-guide layer that is disposed on the second surface of the light guide plate and guides, toward the emission surface, a travel direction of an optical signal entering an inside of the light guide plate
Implementation Method 4
an optical receiver that receives the optical signal emitted from the emission surface of the light guide plate and converts the received optical signal into an electric signal
Data Source
AI summary
A light-receiving device includes: a light guide plate of a transparent member having a first surface and a second surface as principal surfaces opposed to each other and an emission surface formed on at least one end of the transparent member; a lens sheet having lenses and is disposed opposite to the first surface; a support member that supports the lens sheet such that a distance between the principal surface of the lens sheet and the second surface is equal to the focal distance of the lenses; a directional light-guide layer that is disposed on the second surface of the light guide plate and guides, toward the emission surface, the travel direction of an optical signal entering the light guide plate; and a receiver that receives the optical signal emitted from the emission surface of the light guide plate and converts the received optical signal into an electric signal.