Free-Space Optical Link Construction via Beam Steering
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In free-space optical communication systems, constructing multiple links for high reliability requires numerous transmission and reception mechanisms, leading to an undesirably large physical apparatus size.
Innovation Solution
A free-space optical communication apparatus that uses a single laser beam and an emission direction control mechanism, such as a liquid crystal on silicon device, to create multiple links by controlling the emission direction of the laser beam, allowing for compact configuration and efficient link construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple transmission and reception mechanisms are used to construct multiple links for high reliability, then the reliability is improved, but the physical size of the apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single optical transmission mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions by sequentially establishing different communication links with multiple apparatuses. The transmission mechanism can switch between serving different communication partners, replacing the need for dedicated transmission mechanisms for each link, thereby reducing the overall apparatus size while maintaining multiple reliable links.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical transmission mechanism is made dynamically configurable to change its serving target over time. By controlling the transmission mechanism to switch between different communication links based on communication needs, the system achieves multi-link reliability without requiring static dedicated hardware for each link, thus reducing physical size.
2Reliability
If multiple transmission and reception mechanisms are used to construct multiple links, then the communication link redundancy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical transmission mechanism serves as a universal component that can be allocated to different communication links as needed. This multi-functional design reduces the total number of transmission and reception mechanisms required, thereby simplifying the overall device configuration and reducing complexity while still providing link redundancy through dynamic allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple communication link functions are merged into a single optical transmission mechanism through time-division or control-based multiplexing. Instead of having separate dedicated mechanisms for each link, the system combines multiple link management functions into one configurable transmission mechanism, reducing configuration complexity.
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
Enables the construction of multiple free-space optical communication links in a compact configuration, improving reliability and reducing physical size while maintaining high communication speeds.
Implementation Method 1
the emission direction control section controls an emission direction in which a laser beam is emitted from the light emission unit after being outputted from the light source in the form of the single laser beam
Data Source
AI summary
In a free-space optical communication apparatus, a light emission unit includes an emission direction control section which controls an emission direction of a laser beam outputted from a light source, and at least one processor carries out a communication control process of controlling the light emission unit to construct a plurality of free-space optical communication links each of which is constructed with use of the laser beam.