Optical Polarization Rotator-Combiner for High-Throughput Free-Space Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a growing need for high-throughput data connections in mobile devices, particularly for sharing high-definition video, which existing cable-based and wireless data connections struggle to meet due to limitations in robustness and convenience, especially with the inconvenience and potential failures of cabled connections.
Innovation Solution
The development of an optical combiner apparatus and method that combines two polarized optical beams with adjusted polarizations to produce an output beam with a third polarization, utilizing a transparent and reflective surface configuration to enhance data transmission efficiency in free-space optical communications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cable-based data connections are used, then data transmission between devices is established, but the connection is inconvenient and prone to failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical cable-based data transmission with free-space optical communication using light beams. The optical combiner device combines multiple optical beams carrying data signals without requiring physical cable connections, thereby eliminating the mechanical connection issues while maintaining reliable data transmission between devices.
2Productivity
If wireless data connections are used, then connection convenience is improved, but data transmission throughput is insufficient for high-definition video
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an optical combiner device that merges multiple optical beams carrying different data signals (including high-definition video and audio) into a single combined beam. This combining capability enables high-throughput data transmission by aggregating multiple data streams while maintaining the robustness of optical communication through proper polarization management and beam combination.
3Productivity
If traditional optical combining methods are used, then beam combination is achieved, but polarization interference degrades signal quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different polarization states to different optical beams being combined. Each input beam is assigned a specific polarization state (e.g., horizontal, vertical, or circular polarization) that is locally optimized for its transmission characteristics. The optical combiner is designed to handle these different polarization states separately, preventing interference and maintaining high signal quality for each data stream.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the polarization parameter of optical beams to resolve combining issues. By adjusting polarization angles and states as control parameters, the optical combiner can efficiently combine multiple beams with different polarizations while minimizing interference. This parameter optimization ensures high data transmission efficiency and signal quality simultaneously.
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 solution enables robust and convenient high-throughput data transmission in mobile devices, supporting both digital and analog data, including video and audio, through free-space optical communications, improving upon the limitations of traditional cabled connections by providing a reliable and efficient means for secure data transfer.
Implementation Method 1
a first reflective surface (210) to reflect the first optical beam and rotate the first polarization to the adjusted first polarization
Implementation Method 2
a second reflective surface (205) to reflect the second optical beam and rotate the second polarization to the adjusted second polarization
Implementation Method 3
a partially reflective surface (230) substantially perpendicular to the first transparent surface (215) to combine the first beam with the adjusted first polarization and the second beam with the adjusted second polarization into the output beam (340)
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus may include an optical combiner configured to combine a first optical beam having an adjusted first polarization with a second optical beam having an adjusted second polarization into an output beam having a third polarization. The third polarization may be a linear combination of the adjusted first polarization and the adjusted second polarization. Information may be communicated by adjusting the polarization according to an information source.