Optical Phased Array Beam Steering with Time-Division Multiplexing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical phased arrays (OPAs) for beam steering are limited to one-dimensional control and face challenges in achieving a wide field of view with multiple wavelength sources, leading to increased optical loss and control complexity.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a time-division multiplexed steerable optical system using multiple optical source ports tuned to different wavelengths in separate time slots, combined through a passive multiport optical coupler and optical distribution network, allowing for two-dimensional beam steering with reduced loss and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple wavelength sources are used to achieve wide field of view, then beam steering range is improved, but optical loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements time-division multiplexing where multiple optical sources operate in periodic time slots rather than simultaneously. Each source is activated sequentially, with source 1 operating during time slot 1, source 2 during time slot 2, and so on. This periodic activation allows the system to achieve wide field of view using multiple wavelengths while reducing optical loss by ensuring only one source is active at any given time, eliminating the need for complex optical switching and reducing insertion losses.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple optical sources are combined, then beam steering versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic time-division multiplexing to simplify control complexity. A single controller sequentially activates different optical sources in predetermined time slots, eliminating the need for complex real-time control of multiple simultaneous sources. The controller generates periodic control signals that switch between sources in a predetermined sequence, making the control architecture simpler while maintaining versatile beam steering capabilities through wavelength diversity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the operation into distinct time slots, with each time slot dedicated to a specific optical source. This temporal segmentation allows the system to handle multiple wavelengths sequentially rather than simultaneously, reducing the complexity of optical combining and control logic while maintaining the versatility of multi-wavelength beam steering.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple optical sources operate simultaneously, then wavelength coverage is improved, but optical interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates optical interference by implementing periodic time-division multiplexing where only one optical source is active at any given time. The system alternates between sources in sequential time slots, ensuring that wavelengths from different sources never overlap in time. This periodic operation maintains comprehensive wavelength coverage across the operational range while completely avoiding the optical interference that would result from simultaneous multi-source operation.
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 enables a larger beam steering range with reduced optical loss and simplified control, facilitating efficient two-dimensional beam steering in applications like LiDAR and free-space optical communications.
Implementation Method 1
a first of the two or more PMOC input ports is coupled to a first and second of the two or more PMOC output ports over different respective propagation paths having a first relative optical phase shift, and a second of the two or more PMOC input ports is coupled to the first and second of the two or more PMOC output ports over the different respective propagation paths having a second relative optical phase shift different from the first relative optical phase shift
Implementation Method 2
Beam steering about a first axis perpendicular to the array direction can be achieved by modifying the relative phase shifts in phase shifters that are optically coupled to each of the optical antennas
Implementation Method 3
at least one optical phased array comprising a plurality of optical phase shifters, and a plurality of optical grating antennas
Data Source
AI summary
Steering light includes: providing, from a plurality of optical source ports, a respective optical wave that is tuned over different respective wavelengths, within different respective time slots; emitting at least a portion of the light from at least one optical phased array comprising a plurality of optical phase shifters, and a plurality of optical grating antennas; distributing at least a portion of the light using at least one optical distribution network (ODN) comprising: one or more ODN input ports, and two or more ODN output ports each coupled to a different respective one of the optical phase shifters; and coupling at least a portion of the light using at least one optical coupler (OC) comprising: at least one OC input port coupled to one of the optical source ports, and at least one OC output port coupled to one of the one or more ODN input ports.