Optical Adapter for Free-Space Optical Communication Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional directional free-space optical communication systems are highly dependent on precise alignment of communicating devices, making them unsuitable for incorporation into portable electronic devices that may be moved or repositioned.
Innovation Solution
The use of an optical adapter with a tapered shape and an optically-clear adhesive, potentially combined with a convex lens, to increase the acceptance angle for directional free-space optical communication, allowing for greater angular and positional misalignment tolerance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional directional free-space optical communication system is used, then data transfer rates and privacy are improved, but alignment precision requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameters by introducing an optical adapter with a tapered shape that modifies the light path geometry. This adapter increases the acceptance angle of the photosensitive element, allowing the system to tolerate greater angular and positional offsets while maintaining effective data transfer rates. The parameter change transforms the system from requiring precise alignment to being robust against misalignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical adapter serves as an intermediary component between the light source and the photosensitive element. This mediator structure with its tapered geometry and integrated lens focuses and redirects light rays, enabling the system to compensate for misalignment issues without requiring direct precise alignment between communicating devices.
2Reliability
If precise alignment is required for directional free-space optical communication, then communication reliability is improved, but device portability and repositioning capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The optical adapter modifies the angular acceptance parameter of the communication system. By increasing the acceptance angle through its tapered structure, the system maintains communication reliability even when devices are repositioned or moved, thereby enabling portability without sacrificing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables the system to dynamically adapt to changing alignment conditions. The optical adapter's geometry allows the system to maintain effective communication across a range of positions and orientations, transforming a static alignment requirement into a dynamic tolerance for movement and repositioning.
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 enhances the ability of portable electronic devices to maintain effective data transfer rates and privacy by allowing for increased angular and positional offset tolerance without significant signal loss.
Implementation Method 1
a lens can be positioned over the optical adapter to focus a greater quantity of light into a body of the optical adapter
Implementation Method 2
an optically-clear adhesive coupling of the optical adapter to the photosensitive element
Data Source
AI summary
A directional free-space optical communication system includes a source device including a laser diode and an endpoint device including a photodiode. The endpoint device also includes an optical structure, such as an optical adapter, that increases both angular and spatial offset tolerance between the two source device and the endpoint device.