Free-Space Optical Communication Device Atmospheric Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing free-space optical communication systems face challenges in accurately transmitting uplink light waves to artificial satellites due to atmospheric fluctuations, requiring complex systems with high-power laser guide stars for measurement and correction.
Innovation Solution
A free-space optical communication apparatus that uses a telescope with a wavefront sensor and deformable mirror to detect and correct wavefront distortions in received light waves without a laser guide star, allowing for accurate transmission of uplink light waves by compensating for atmospheric fluctuations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a laser guide star is used to measure atmospheric fluctuations, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to requiring high-power laser equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the satellite's own downlink light as an intermediary to measure atmospheric fluctuations. Instead of introducing a separate laser guide star, the system utilizes the existing downlink light from the satellite to carry wavefront information that can be used for atmospheric compensation, thereby eliminating the need for additional high-power laser equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The satellite's downlink light serves dual purposes: both for communication and for measuring atmospheric fluctuations. The system leverages the satellite's own transmitted light to provide the reference signal needed for adaptive optics, making the system self-sufficient without requiring external laser guide stars
2Manufacturing precision
If a laser guide star is installed for uplink transmission, then transmission accuracy is improved, but the system becomes more complex and requires additional high-power laser equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously measuring the wavefront of the downlink light and using this information to adjust the uplink transmission. The measured atmospheric fluctuations from the downlink light are fed back to correct the uplink light wavefront, enabling accurate transmission without additional laser equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The downlink light from the satellite is given multiple functions: it serves both as the communication signal and as the reference signal for atmospheric measurement. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate laser guide star equipment while maintaining transmission accuracy
3Measurement precision
If high-power laser is used to generate laser guide star, then atmospheric fluctuation measurement capability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the satellite's existing downlink light transmission to provide the reference signal for atmospheric measurement. This eliminates the need for separate high-power laser equipment, significantly reducing energy consumption while maintaining measurement capability through the utilization of the satellite's own transmitted light
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 simplifies the system configuration, reduces the need for high-power lasers, and enables reliable high-accuracy transmission of uplink light waves by directly measuring and correcting atmospheric fluctuations, thereby improving connectivity under atmospheric conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a wavefront sensor configured to detect wavefront distortions of the reception light wave and the path propagation light collected by the telescope
Implementation Method 2
a deformable mirror configured to correct the propagation path based on the control signal generated by the control unit to guide the transmission light wave to the artificial satellite through the telescope
Data Source
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AI summary
[Problem] Provided is a free-space optical communication apparatus capable of transmitting uplink light waves with high accuracy by measuring an atmospheric fluctuation without using a laser guide star to compensate for the atmospheric fluctuation. [Means of Solution] Included are a transmission light wave generating unit configured to generate a transmission light wave to be transmitted to an artificial satellite 11; a telescope 20 having an aperture for collecting a reception light wave emitted from the artificial satellite 11, the aperture being adapted to collect a path propagation light propagating through a space including a propagation path for guiding the transmission light wave generated by the transmission light wave generating unit to the artificial satellite; a wavefront sensor 25 configured to detect wavefront distortions of the reception light wave and the path propagation light collected by the telescope 20; a control unit 26 configured to generate a control signal based on the wavefront distortions detected by the wavefront sensor 25; and a deformable mirror 23 configured to correct the propagation path based on the control signal generated by the control unit 26 to guide the transmission light wave to the artificial satellite 11 through the telescope.