Optical Collimator Design for Uniform Intensity Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems rely heavily on radio waves, which may not efficiently support location-based services and optical narrowcasting due to limitations in beamforming and intensity distribution, especially in achieving uniform optical intensity over large angular regions.
Innovation Solution
The development of a transmitter system with a collimator design featuring a broad middle body and flared sections, along with lenslet arrays and a data-format converter, to produce a modulated optical beam with uniform intensity distribution, and a receiver system with a lenslet array and optical detector array to capture and convert optical signals into digital format.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If radio waves are used for wireless communication, then communication coverage is achieved, but beamforming capability and intensity distribution uniformity are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator is divided into multiple sections: a first collimating section with a first focal length and a second collimating section with a second focal length. Each section processes a specific angular region of the optical beam, allowing independent optimization of intensity distribution across different regions while maintaining overall beam uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the collimator are designed with different focal lengths to address local intensity distribution requirements. The first collimating section handles a first angular region with specific intensity characteristics, while the second collimating section handles a second angular region with different intensity characteristics, achieving localized optimization of optical quality.
2Illumination intensity
If a simple collimator design is used, then device complexity is reduced, but uniform optical intensity distribution over large angular regions cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator is divided into multiple sections: a first collimating section with a first focal length and a second collimating section with a second focal length. Each section processes a specific angular region of the optical beam, allowing independent optimization of intensity distribution across different regions while maintaining overall beam uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the collimator are designed with different focal lengths to address local intensity distribution requirements. The first collimating section handles a first angular region with specific intensity characteristics, while the second collimating section handles a second angular region with different intensity characteristics, achieving localized optimization of optical quality.
3Productivity
If radio-wave-based communication is used, then existing infrastructure is leveraged, but location-based services and optical narrowcasting efficiency are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator is divided into multiple sections: a first collimating section with a first focal length and a second collimating section with a second focal length. Each section processes a specific angular region of the optical beam, allowing independent optimization of intensity distribution across different regions while maintaining overall beam uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the collimator are designed with different focal lengths to address local intensity distribution requirements. The first collimating section handles a first angular region with specific intensity characteristics, while the second collimating section handles a second angular region with different intensity characteristics, achieving localized optimization of optical quality.
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 solution enables efficient optical narrowcasting with uniform optical intensity distribution and improved beamforming, supporting location-based services and enhancing communication capabilities in wireless optical communication systems.
Implementation Method 1
The first collimator may include a first portion and a second portion each of which being rotationally symmetric about an optical axis substantially centered on a light-emitting element of the first light source
Implementation Method 2
The first pair of lenslet arrays positioned in front of the broad second exit pupil of the first collimator
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for optical narrowcasting are provided for transmitting various types of content. Optical narrowcasting content indicative of the presence of additional information along with identifying information may be transmitted. The additional information (which may include meaningful amounts of advertising information, media, or any other content) may also be transmitted as optical narrowcasting content. Elements of an optical narrowcasting system may include optical transmitters and optical receivers which can be configured to be operative at distances ranging from, e.g., 400 meters to 1200 meters. Additionally, the elements can be implemented on a miniaturized scale in conjunction with small, user devices such as smartphones. Moreover, optically narrowcast content may be filtered using at least identification data extracted from optical beacons received from optical transmitters such that only optically narrowcast content of interest is presented on a display and/or stored in a persistent storage.