Optical Receiver Spiral Fiber Bundle Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial optical receivers are delicate and require precise alignment, making them unsuitable for industrial or hazardous applications such as underwater mining and teleoperation of mobile devices and vehicles in inhospitable environments where high-bandwidth wireless communication is needed.
Innovation Solution
An optical receiver design featuring a fiber support structure with scintillating fibers arranged in a spiral pattern, supported by concentric rings and guided through a central channel to a photo detector, allowing for flexible alignment and robust operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If commercial optical receivers are used, then communication bandwidth is sufficient, but alignment precision requirements are too high and reliability in harsh environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The optical receiver is segmented into multiple functional components: a light-sensitive element (photodetector), a light-guiding element (optical fiber or waveguide), and a light-collecting element (lens or reflector). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the light-collecting element being larger in size to capture more light without requiring precise alignment with the transmitter.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a direct点对点 alignment approach to a volumetric light collection approach. Instead of requiring precise point-to-point alignment between transmitter and receiver, the receiver collects light over a larger spatial volume using an extended light-collecting element, thereby relaxing alignment precision requirements while maintaining communication reliability in harsh environments.
2Reliability
If commercial optical receivers are used, then communication performance is adequate, but device fragility increases making them unsuitable for industrial applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible or robust packaging structures that protect the delicate photodetector while allowing the overall receiver assembly to be more rugged. The light-guiding element may be protected by a protective coating or housing that withstands harsh environmental conditions including moisture, pressure, and mechanical stress, thereby reducing device fragility for industrial applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an optical fiber or waveguide to copy and transmit the collected light signal to the photodetector. This allows the light-collecting element to be physically separated from and protected relative to the delicate photodetector, enabling the receiver to be more robust while maintaining optical performance suitable for industrial applications.
3Ease of operation
If precise alignment is required, then communication quality is maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates in mobile applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the light collection from a narrow angular acceptance to a broader spatial acceptance using a larger light-collecting element. This dimensional extension in the optical collection area translates to relaxed angular alignment tolerances, making the system easier to operate in mobile applications where precise alignment is difficult to maintain.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver design incorporates a light-collecting element that can effectively capture light over a range of angles and positions, providing universal operation across different alignment conditions. This multi-functional capability allows the receiver to maintain communication quality whether perfectly aligned or slightly misaligned, greatly easing operation in mobile applications.
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 reliable high-bandwidth optical communication in challenging environments without the need for precise alignment between the receiver and transmitter, enhancing the suitability for industrial and hazardous applications.
Implementation Method 1
A central guide is located around the back orifice adapted to gather and collect the plurality of scintillating fibers from their disperse spiral arrangement on the fiber support structure and direct them through the back orifice as a bundle into a photo detector located behind the back plate
Data Source
AI summary
An optical receiver is provided. The optical receiver includes a fiber support structure located on a front side of a back plate. The fiber support structure supports and guides a plurality of scintillating fibers in a spiral arrangement extending from a back orifice through the back plate. A central guide located around the back orifice is adapted to gather and collect the plurality of scintillating fibers from their disperse spiral arrangement on the fiber support structure and direct them through the back orifice as a bundle into a photo detector located behind the back plate.