Optical Beam Routing for Indoor Laser Wireless Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless communication systems in indoor areas face limitations such as limited coverage, signal attenuation with distance, and the need for costly and complex optical beam deflectors, which are not suitable for indoor use, making it difficult to provide reliable high-speed connectivity to a large number of end-user devices, especially with the increasing number of IoT devices.
Innovation Solution
An optical routing device that employs RF supervisory links for monitoring and control, uses laser beam deflection for wireless communication, and includes laser beam handling regions for concurrent downstream and upstream data communication, enabling a flexible and reliable laser-based wireless network with reduced power consumption and no need for intermediate routers, powered by an internal battery or optical wireless power transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional Wi-Fi signal broadcast devices are used to extend wireless coverage, then the coverage area can be extended, but signal attenuation with distance remains and multiple intermediate routers are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional RF-based Wi-Fi signal propagation with laser beam-based optical wireless communication. This substitution eliminates signal attenuation issues inherent in RF systems and enables high-speed data transmission over extended distances without requiring multiple intermediate routers, thus improving both coverage area and signal quality simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental transmission parameter from RF waves to laser beams (optical waves). This parameter change enables transmission over longer distances with higher bandwidth capacity, resolving the contradiction between coverage area and signal quality by operating in a different electromagnetic spectrum band with superior propagation characteristics.
2Reliability
If Ethernet cables are used to connect network devices, then reliable connectivity is achieved, but cable installation and reconfiguration are costly and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical Ethernet cable connections with laser beam-based wireless optical communication. This substitution maintains the reliability of wired connections while eliminating the mechanical complexity of cable installation, routing through walls, and physical reconfiguration, allowing flexible deployment without structural modifications.
3Length of stationary object
If conventional optical beam deflectors are used for laser beam based communication, then range extension is achieved, but the devices are bulky, power intensive, and not suitable for indoor use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the bulky mechanical beam deflection components from conventional optical systems. By using simple reflective surfaces or diffusers instead of complex motorized deflectors, the system achieves range extension through multiple bounce points while maintaining a compact, low-power form factor suitable for indoor deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, complex, and power-intensive conventional optical beam deflectors with simple, inexpensive reflective elements that can be easily deployed and repositioned. These simpler optical elements achieve the same beam routing function without the mechanical complexity and power consumption of traditional deflectors.
4Area of stationary object
If multiple intermediate routers are deployed to extend Wi-Fi coverage, then coverage area increases, but latency and signal noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces multi-hop RF Wi-Fi routing with direct or multi-bounce laser beam transmission. This substitution reduces the number of intermediate processing nodes required, thereby minimizing latency and signal noise accumulation while achieving extended coverage through optical reflection and diffraction techniques.
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 solution provides full coverage with high signal-to-noise ratio and high-speed data connectivity to end-user devices, improving data transfer rates and network redundancy, while eliminating the need for costly intermediate routers and simplifying deployment with reduced power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
an optical routing component that includes one or more laser beam handling regions configured to deflect a laser beam
Implementation Method 2
configured to handle a plurality of laser beams concurrently in which a first laser beam is deflected via a first region
Data Source
AI summary
An optical routing device that includes a mounting component which includes a rechargeable battery and a processor that communicates over-the-air with a master communication device or one or more service communication devices via RF supervisory links. The processor receives an instruction via the RF supervisory links to control a movement of the mounting component along with the optical routing component such that an angle or a direction of deflection of laser beams from an optical routing component of optical routing device is changed. The one or more laser beams are deflected from the optical routing component over-the-air for free-space optical communication among the master communication device and the one or more service communication devices via at least the optical routing device independent of optical fibers.