Movable PIC Assembly for Optical Phased Array Field of Regard
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical communication systems with narrow beam technology require complex and costly configurations to achieve a wider field of regard, often necessitating higher power and additional physical volume, which complicates manufacturing and alignment.
Innovation Solution
A movable Photonics Integrated Circuit (PIC) assembly with an optical phased array (OPA) that can be rotated, moved along a path, or adjusted in distance relative to the telescope, allowing for a configurable field of view without the need for additional steering elements or complex optics, using actuators and magnetic or electrostatic connections for movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional steering elements or complex optics are used to achieve a wider field of regard, then the field of regard is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the PIC assembly movable rather than fixed. The PIC assembly can be rotated, translated, or both, allowing the field of regard to be dynamically adjusted without adding complex steering elements. This dynamic repositioning of the entire PIC assembly achieves the desired flexibility in field coverage while maintaining system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the dimensionality change principle by adding translational freedom to the traditional rotational positioning. Instead of only rotating the PIC assembly around a fixed point, the system can now translate the assembly along a path or in three-dimensional space. This additional dimensional degree of freedom enables a wider field of regard without increasing angular complexity.
2Reliability
If higher power is used to maintain connectivity with a wider field of regard, then the communication range is improved, but the power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic repositioning of the PIC assembly allows the system to maintain optimal optical alignment with remote terminals without requiring excessive power. By actively adjusting the position of the PIC assembly, the system can compensate for beam divergence and maintain connectivity over extended ranges while using lower power levels compared to static high-power systems.
3Manufacturing precision
If more precision surfaces are added to achieve accurate beam alignment, then the alignment precision is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by removing the need for complex precision optical surfaces and steering elements. Instead of relying on multiple precision-aligned mirrors and lenses, the system extracts the alignment function by moving the entire PIC assembly as a single unit. This approach eliminates the need for precision surfacing on individual optical components while maintaining alignment accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the merging principle by combining multiple optical functions into a single movable PIC assembly. Rather than having separate precision surfaces for beam steering, focusing, and alignment, all these functions are integrated into one relocatable unit. This merging reduces the total number of precision surfaces required while simplifying manufacturing.
4Adaptability or versatility
If additional physical volume is used to accommodate wider field of regard components, then the field of regard is improved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic positioning capability allows the PIC assembly to be compact when not in use and only expand to the necessary field of regard when active. The system can maintain a small physical volume by keeping the PIC assembly in a condensed state and only deploying it when communication is required, thus achieving wide field of regard without permanently increasing device volume.
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 configuration enables a wider field of regard with reduced material and manufacturing complexity, lower power requirements, and fewer precision surfaces, maintaining connectivity and connection quality while simplifying the system's construction and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
using actuators and magnetic or electrostatic connections for movement
Implementation Method 2
using actuators and magnetic or electrostatic connections for movement
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure provide a system comprising a first optical communications terminal. The first optical communications terminal comprising a telescope comprising one or more lenses; a movable photonics integrated circuit (PIC) assembly positioned relative to the telescope comprising an optical phased array (OPA); and one or more processors configured to move the moveable PIC assembly; wherein the moveable PIC assembly is configured to move by at least one of i) rotating, or ii) moving along a path, and iii) moving closer to or further from a telescope of the first optical communications terminal.