Optical Computing Phase Modulation for Signal-Noise Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Optical computing devices face challenges due to noise lights emitted in the same direction as signal lights, which interfere with electrical signals generated by image sensors, making it difficult to accurately read the computing results.

Innovation Solution

The optical computing device employs optical modulation elements with independently set phase modulation amounts to ensure that signal and noise lights are emitted in different directions, reducing their impact on electrical signals by using transmissive or reflective elements with specific arrangements of cells to separate noise and signal paths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the optical modulation element is used to perform optical computing by causing signal light beams to interfere with each other, then higher speed and lower electric power consumption are achieved, but noise lights are emitted in the same direction as the signal light which interfere with the electrical signal generated by the image sensor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomputing speedVSAvoidnoise light interference

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The optical modulation element is divided into a plurality of cells, each capable of independent phase modulation. By controlling the phase modulation amounts of individual cells, the signal light is directed toward a specific detection point while noise lights are dispersed to different directions, thereby separating the signal from noise and reducing interference at the image sensor

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions (cells) of the optical modulation element are assigned different phase modulation characteristics. Specifically, cells are configured with phase modulation amounts that cause signal light to converge at the detection point while causing noise lights to diverge to different directions. This local differentiation of optical properties enables selective signal enhancement and noise suppression

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Illumination intensity

If the phase modulation amounts of the plurality of cells are set to cause signal light beams to interfere constructively at a detection point, then the signal light intensity is enhanced, but noise lights are also emitted in the same direction and enter the image sensor together with the signal light

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal light intensityVSAvoiddetection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of noise light emission into a beneficial separation effect. By carefully designing the phase modulation amounts of different cells, the noise lights that would normally travel in the same direction as the signal are instead directed to different directions, causing them to miss the image sensor while the signal light still reaches it

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 configuration effectively minimizes the impact of noise lights on electrical signals, improving the accuracy of optical computing results by ensuring that noise lights do not interfere with the signal detection process.

Implementation Method 1

an optical modulation element having a plurality of cells having phase modulation amounts that are independently set or that are capable of being independently set

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase modulation: Phase Modulation

Implementation Method 2

a signal light generated when transmitted light beams that have been phase-modulated by the plurality of cells interfere with each other

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInterference: Interference

Implementation Method 3

a noise light that is generated when the signal light before computing is transmitted (regular transmission) by the optical modulation element without being phase-modulated by each of the cells

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRegular transmission:

Implementation Method 4

a noise light that is generated when the signal light before computing is reflected (regular reflection) by the optical modulation element without being phase-modulated by each of the cells

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRegular reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS20260016850A1Optical computation device

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 FUJIKURA LTD

AI summary

An optical computing device includes an optical computing section including a first transmissive optical modulation element having cells each having an independently set phase modulation amount. The first transmissive optical modulation element emits a signal light, in a signal direction, generated when transmitted light beams phase-modulated by the cells interfere with each other and a noise light, in a noise direction, transmitted through the first transmissive optical modulation element without being phase-modulated by the cells. The optical computing device includes an optical sensor that detects the signal light outputted from the optical computing section and generates an electrical signal indicating a result of the detection. The first transmissive optical modulation element is configured such that an impact that the noise light has on the electrical signal is smaller than the impact in a state where the signal direction aligns with the noise direction.