Optical Point Source Sensor Using Fiber Delay Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical sensors for detecting and locating optical point sources require complex setups with multiple photodetectors and electronics, necessitating expensive matching impedances and temperature compensation to maintain accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A simpler optical point source detection and locating sensor system using a single photodetector circuit with multiple optical fibers to delay and collect optical energy, allowing for serial processing and reducing the number of components, cost, and calibration complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple photodetectors and electronics are used to detect and locate optical point sources, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical detection functions into a single photodetector by using optical fibers to deliver light from multiple spatial locations to one detector. This merging approach maintains the ability to detect and locate multiple optical sources while eliminating the need for multiple photodetectors and associated complex electronics, thereby reducing device complexity and cost while preserving measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical fibers as intermediary elements between the optical sources and the photodetector. These fibers act as mediators that transport light from multiple spatial locations to a single detector, enabling the system to maintain spatial resolution and measurement precision without requiring multiple detectors. The optical fibers serve as the intermediary mechanism that decouples the spatial distribution requirement from the detector array requirement
2Measurement precision
If multiple photodetectors and matching components are used, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple detection channels into a single photodetector input, eliminating the need for expensive matching impedances and temperature compensation components that would be required for multiple detectors. This combining approach maintains measurement precision through optical path differentiation while dramatically reducing manufacturing costs by using a single, simpler detector and fewer auxiliary components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, precision-matched detector assemblies with a single photodetector and optical fiber system. The optical fibers serve as the primary precision elements, which are less expensive and easier to manufacture than matched detector pairs with complex impedance and temperature compensation circuits
3Measurement precision
If multiple photodetectors are used to maintain accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical detection functions into a single photodetector, reducing the total number of components from multiple detectors and their associated electronics to just one detector and several optical fibers. This merging maintains measurement precision by preserving spatial information through the optical fiber paths while eliminating redundant components
Solution Approach 2:
The single photodetector is made multi-functional by receiving light from multiple optical fibers that sample different spatial locations. This universal approach allows one detector to perform the work of multiple detectors, reducing component quantity while maintaining the ability to detect and locate optical sources with precision
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 system effectively determines the relative position of optical sources with fewer components, lower costs, and simplified calibration, while maintaining high accuracy by using optical fibers to introduce time delays and process signals serially.
Implementation Method 1
an first optical fiber to a first aperture and a second optical fiber to a second aperture. The lengths of the first and second optical fibers are different so that optical energy from a common source will arrive at the collector with a time offset
Implementation Method 2
The lengths of the first and second optical fibers are different so that optical energy from a common source will arrive at the collector with a time offset
Implementation Method 3
a single photodetector circuit that converts the optical energy to an electrical signal
Data Source
AI summary
A system for processing optical signals comprising a reference optical signal transmission structure configured to receive an optical signal at a first input and to provide the optical signal at a first output to a photodetector. A delay optical signal transmission structure configured to receive the optical signal at a second input and to provide a delayed optical signal at a second output to the photodetector. A signal processor configured to receive a first electric signal corresponding to the optical signal and a second electric signal corresponding to the delayed optical signal and to generate an output as a function of the first electric signal and the second electric signal.