Mirror Optical Link Layout for Back Reflection Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical communication systems in space suffer from inadequate suppression of back reflections, which degrade the signal-to-noise ratio due to the inability of antireflective coatings to selectively block beam components that cause interference at the signal receiver.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a primary and secondary mirror with a through-hole and a beam-exclusion element to isolate and exclude the non-useful part of the signal beam, reducing back reflections by arranging the beam-exclusion element early in the beam path to suppress interference signals effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If antireflective coatings are used to reduce back reflections, then the signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but the suppression of back reflections remains inadequate and cannot selectively block interfering beam components
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the harmful central part of the signal beam using a beam-exclusion element (such as a beam dump or aperture stop) positioned in the beam path. This element selectively blocks only the central beam portion that causes back reflections, while allowing the outer beam portions to continue to the target. This extraction approach directly eliminates the harmful factor without compromising the useful signal, thereby improving back reflection suppression effectiveness while maintaining signal-to-noise ratio.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different treatments to different parts of the signal beam: the central part is blocked by the beam-exclusion element to prevent back reflections, while the outer parts are allowed to pass through to carry the useful signal. This local differentiation in beam handling achieves selective suppression of harmful components while preserving useful signal components, resolving the contradiction between improving reliability and enhancing harmful factor suppression.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the beam-exclusion element is positioned early in the beam path, then back reflections are reduced more effectively, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The beam-exclusion element acts as an intermediary component inserted into the beam path between the signal generator and the primary mirror. This mediator selectively intercepts the harmful central beam portion before it can reach the primary mirror and cause back reflections. By positioning this intermediary element early in the optical path, the invention achieves effective back reflection reduction while maintaining relatively simple device architecture, as the element requires only basic optical blocking functionality without complex mechanisms.
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
The solution enhances the signal-to-noise ratio by minimizing back reflections, maintaining signal strength, and improving overall system performance by reducing interference, thereby increasing cost-effectiveness and simplifying production.
Implementation Method 1
The primary mirror is further configured to receive the portion of the signal beam from the secondary mirror and reflect it past the secondary mirror onto a transmission path
Implementation Method 2
The secondary mirror is configured to receive the signal beam through the through-hole of the primary mirror and reflect it back towards the primary mirror
Implementation Method 3
at least one beam-exclusion element which is arranged between the primary mirror and the signal transmitter and is configured to exclude a central part of the signal beam and thus reduce a non-useful part of the signal beam
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a device for optically transmitting and receiving signals, comprising a signal generator providing a signal beam with the signal, a primary mirror having a primary curvature and a through-hole, and a secondary mirror having a secondary curvature, wherein the secondary mirror is configured to receive the signal beam through the through-hole of the primary mirror and to reflect the signal beam back towards the primary mirror, wherein the secondary mirror is configured to reflect a useful part of the signal beam back onto the primary mirror, wherein the primary mirror is configured to receive the useful part of the signal beam from the secondary mirror and to reflect it past the secondary mirror onto a transmission path, wherein at least one beam deflection element is provided.which is positioned between the primary mirror and the signal transmitter and is designed to exclude a central part of the signal beam, thus reducing a non-usable portion of the signal beam.