Optical Amplifier Closed Loop Scintillation Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Air scintillation in free space optical communication links causes fluctuations in received optical power, leading to potential data loss and increased power consumption or damage to receiving optics, as existing systems struggle to adjust transmission power effectively across varying scintillation conditions.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a control hardware system that determines the receiving power for free space optical links by using feedback from received optical signals, error packet rates, or telemetry signals to adjust the output amplification of optical signals, ensuring minimum transmission power is maintained while compensating for air scintillation fluctuations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high transmission power is used for optical signals, then data loss due to air scintillation is reduced, but power consumption increases and receiving optics may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the transmission power of optical signals based on real-time receiving power feedback. The control hardware continuously monitors the receiving power and modifies the output amplification accordingly, transitioning the system from a static high-power mode to a dynamic adaptive power control mode that optimizes both reliability and energy efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A feedback loop is established where the receiving power is measured and fed back to the transmitting terminal. The control hardware uses this feedback information to adjust the transmission power, creating a closed-loop control system that automatically optimizes power consumption while maintaining reliable communication under varying scintillation conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If high transmission power is used continuously, then communication reliability under scintillation is improved, but receiving optics may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication link reliabilityVSAvoiddamage to receiving optics
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving power measurement is fed back to the transmitting terminal, enabling the control hardware to adjust transmission power before it becomes excessively high and damages the receiving optics. This feedback mechanism creates a protective control loop that prevents harmful over-power conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system takes preliminary protective action by monitoring receiving power and adjusting transmission power in advance before damage can occur. The control hardware proactively reduces power when receiving power approaches dangerous levels, preventing harm to the receiving optics rather than reacting after damage occurs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Use of energy by moving object

If transmission power is reduced to save energy, then power consumption decreases, but data loss increases under scintillation conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddata transmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static power settings to dynamic power adjustment based on real-time channel conditions. The control hardware continuously adapts the transmission power to match the actual scintillation conditions, ensuring reliable communication while minimizing power consumption by using only the necessary power level

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission power parameter is dynamically changed based on receiving power feedback and scintillation conditions. The control hardware adjusts this critical parameter in real-time, optimizing the balance between power consumption and communication reliability by matching power output to actual channel requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Device complexity

If fixed transmission power is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to scintillation variations is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower control system complexityVSAvoidadaptability to air scintillation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

A feedback control loop is added to enable adaptability. The receiving power measurement is fed back to the transmitting terminal, allowing the system to automatically adapt to scintillation variations without requiring complex manual configuration or multiple fixed-power modes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3829082B1An optical amplifier with closed loop control for scintillation compensation in free space optical communications
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 X DEVELOPMENT LLC
  • EP3829082B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3829082B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3829082B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method (900) includes receiving a first optical signal (320, 320a) at a first communication terminal (302, 302a) from a second communication terminal (320, 320b) through a free space optical link (322) and determining a receiving power (326) for the optical link based on the first optical signal. The method further includes adjusting an output amplification (324) at the first communication terminal based on the receiving power for the optical link. The output amplification is adjusted to provide a second optical signal (320, 320b) with a minimum transmission power (310) for maintaining the optical link. The method transmits the second optical signal from the first communication terminal to the second communication terminal through the optical link.