MOCA Transceiver Optical Beam Steering for PNT Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
RF-based PNT systems face outages due to satellite malfunctions, interference, and limited performance at high latitudes, with slow startup times affecting critical industries like finance and military.
Innovation Solution
An optical positioning-navigation-timing (OPNT) system using a Managed Optical Communications Array (MOCA) transceiver that transmits and receives optical signals with adjustable parameters, including phase, wavelength, and polarization, to provide PNT data, which can be used alone or in combination with RF-based systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If RF-based PNT systems are used, then worldwide coverage is provided, but system outages occur due to satellite malfunction, interference, and jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces RF-based electromagnetic communication with optical communication systems. Optical signals are used to transmit PNT data from satellites to ground stations, eliminating the vulnerabilities of RF systems to interference and jamming. The optical communication system uses lasers and optical modulators to encode and transmit positioning, navigation, and timing information through optical carriers, providing a more secure and reliable communication channel that is immune to electronic interference.
2Measurement precision
If RF-based PNT systems are used, then coverage is provided, but performance is limited at high latitude locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs optical beam steering and pointing techniques to dynamically adjust the direction and orientation of optical signals. By changing the beam parameters (angle, position, and orientation) through controllable optical components like steerable mirrors and deformable mirrors, the system can adapt to different geographic locations including high latitude areas. This allows optimal signal transmission geometry to be achieved regardless of the user's position on Earth, overcoming the limitations of fixed RF satellite coverage patterns.
3Productivity
If RF-based PNT systems are used, then PNT data is transmitted, but cold/warm startup times take several minutes
Solution Approach 1:
The optical communication system performs preliminary alignment and locking procedures during system initialization to establish the optical path and synchronize timing before actual PNT data transmission begins. By pre-establishing the optical connection and synchronizing clocks in advance, the system eliminates the lengthy cold/warm startup times characteristic of RF systems, achieving rapid activation while maintaining measurement precision.
4Reliability
If optical signals are used for PNT transmission, then faster startup times and resistance to interference are achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical communication system is divided into modular functional units including separate components for optical signal generation (lasers), modulation, beam steering, optical transmission, and detection. Each module operates independently and can be optimized or replaced individually. This segmentation reduces overall system complexity by allowing specialized components to perform specific functions efficiently, making the complex optical system more manageable and maintainable.
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 OPNT system offers enhanced PNT data transmission with faster startup times, higher accuracy, and resistance to interference, enabling complete 4D positioning information and precise data delivery to specific users, even at high latitudes with a single satellite.
Implementation Method 1
each optical transceiver including a laser and a beam steering element
Implementation Method 2
a beam steering element, and a controller for controlling the operation of the array of optical transceivers
Implementation Method 3
an array of optical transceivers for transmitting and receiving optical signals
Data Source
AI summary
An optical positioning-navigation-timing (PNT) system includes a managed optical communications array (MOCA) transceiver. The MOCA transceiver includes an array of optical transceivers for transmitting and receiving optical signals, each optical transceiver including a laser and a beam steering element, and a controller for controlling the operation of the array of optical transceivers. Each optical transceiver is adjustable for optical parameters of the optical signals so transmitted and received, the optical parameters including at least one of phase, angle, wavelength, time delay, amplitude, pulse delay, polarization, timing offset, phase, and divergence angle. Further, the controller is configured for controlling the optical parameters to include PNT data in a portion of the optical signal transmitted from the MOCA transceiver.