Optical Communication Device Flicker Control via Current Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical communication systems that utilize visible light for both illumination and communication face challenges in preventing users from sensing flickers, which can lead to data transmission errors and user discomfort.
Innovation Solution
An optical communication device comprising a driving module, a data transmission module, a light emitting module, and a feedback module that generates and adjusts a driving current and data current to produce visible light with a preset intensity, using a combination of current sources, amplifiers, and feedback mechanisms to control the brightness and frequency of the light emitted, thereby minimizing flicker perception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If visible light is used for both illumination and communication functions, then energy efficiency is improved and hardware cost is reduced, but users may sense flickers causing discomfort and data transmission errors
Solution Approach 1:
The current signal is segmented into two independent components: a high-frequency data current for communication and a DC driving current for illumination control. This segmentation allows separate optimization of each function, enabling the illumination component to maintain stable brightness while the data component carries communication signals, thereby eliminating flicker perception while preserving dual functionality
Solution Approach 2:
A feedback module acts as an intermediary between the data transmission module and the light emitting module. It detects the light output and adjusts the DC driving current to compensate for fluctuations caused by data modulation, ensuring stable illumination intensity and preventing flicker perception while maintaining communication effectiveness
2Productivity
If data current is modulated for communication, then data transmission capability is improved, but light intensity fluctuation increases causing flicker perception
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the data current and DC driving current in the light emitting module such that they share the same physical pathway. The data current modulates the light for communication while the DC driving current provides stable illumination baseline. This merging allows both functions to operate simultaneously with the DC component compensating for intensity fluctuations caused by data modulation
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback module continuously monitors the light output intensity and dynamically adjusts the DC driving current to maintain constant average illumination. When data modulation causes intensity drops, the feedback module increases the DC current accordingly, and vice versa, thereby maintaining stable illumination while preserving full data transmission capability
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 effectively reduces flicker perception and minimizes data transmission errors by maintaining a consistent average intensity of visible light, ensuring efficient communication while providing illumination, thus enhancing user experience and system reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The light emitting module is electrically connected to the driving module and the data transmission module and emits visible light according to an illuminating current generated by combining the driving current and the data current
Data Source
AI summary
An optical communication device and a control method thereof are provided. The optical communication device includes a driving module, a data transmission module, a light emitting module, and a feedback module. The driving module generates a driving current. The data transmission module generates a data current according to a piece of data. The light emitting module is electrically connected to the driving module and the data transmission module directly and emits visible light according to an illuminating current generated by combining the driving current with the data current. The feedback module adjusts a direct current (DC) potential of one of the driving current and the data current so as to make an average intensity of the visible light equal a preset intensity.