Optical Narrowcasting Tiling for Long-Range High-Bandwidth Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems rely heavily on radio waves, which face limitations in long-range, high-bandwidth capabilities and are subject to regulatory constraints, lacking directionality and security compared to optical communications.
Innovation Solution
The development of an optical narrowcasting system utilizing a plurality of optical transmitters with angular offsets to create focused, non-overlapping light beams that combine to form a tiled optical beam, providing long-range, high-bandwidth communication with enhanced security and directionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If radio waves are used for wireless communication, then communication coverage is achieved, but long-range capability and bandwidth are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces radio wave-based electromagnetic communication with optical communication using light beams. This substitution enables higher bandwidth through optical carriers and extends communication range through focused beam transmission, directly resolving the bandwidth and range limitations of radio wave systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If optical transmitters are used, then directionality and security are improved, but regulatory constraints are avoided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes optical communication for radio wave communication, thereby eliminating FCC regulatory constraints that apply to radio frequencies. The focused nature of optical beams also provides inherent directionality and security, as the energy is confined to a narrow path between transmitter and receiver.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple optical transmitters are used to increase coverage, then communication area expands, but beam overlap and interference occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the coverage area into discrete angular segments, with each optical transmitter responsible for a specific angular offset range. This segmentation allows multiple transmitters to operate simultaneously without beam overlap, as each transmitter's beam is directed at a unique angular sector, eliminating interference while expanding overall coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric angular offset positioning for multiple optical transmitters rather than symmetric arrangement. Each transmitter is angled at a unique offset from the central axis, creating non-overlapping beam patterns that tile the coverage area without interference, enabling expanded coverage while maintaining beam integrity.
4Use of energy by moving object
If focused light beams are used, then energy efficiency is improved, but beam precision and alignment are critical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the transmission system into multiple transmitters with fixed angular offsets, where each transmitter focuses energy efficiently in its designated angular sector. This segmentation reduces the precision requirement for individual beam alignment compared to a single omnidirectional beam, as each transmitter only needs to maintain alignment within its specific angular range.
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 optical narrowcasting system achieves long-range, high-bandwidth communication with improved security and directionality, avoiding regulatory limitations and offering energy efficiency, while maintaining unobtrusive information transmission.
Implementation Method 1
a light source and beamforming optic of each of the plurality of optical transmitters emitting a beam of light that upon propagating to a second, far field location relative to the first location has an intensity distribution focused within a spatial area representative of a geometric shape
Implementation Method 2
each of the plurality of optical transmitters being oriented with an angular offset relative to each other... the respective intensity distributions of at least two beams of light abut each other without overlapping in accordance with the relative angular offsets
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. At such far-field distances, light beams emitted from the optical transmitters can be combined in a tiled fashion to create energy efficient and directable optical transmissions.