Optical Signal Reception Device Using Cylindrical Lens Compression
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical space communication systems face challenges in efficiently receiving spatial optical signals due to the limitations of cylindrical lenses in guiding light with large radiation diameters to small-area light-receiving units, leading to inefficient signal collection and varying light-receiving efficiencies across the sensor array.
Innovation Solution
A reception device comprising a first optical collector, a cylindrical lens that compresses the optical signal in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and a third optical collector that collects the signal in a direction including the first direction, with a light-receiving element array arranged along the first direction to efficiently receive the optical signal, utilizing a diffuser plate, diffractive optical element, or diffusion layer to distribute the signal uniformly across the array.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a large-diameter lens is used to receive spatial optical signals, then the light collection capability is improved, but it becomes difficult to guide the light to a small-area light-receiving unit due to focal length limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the light guidance function into multiple optical components: a large-diameter lens for light collection, a cylindrical lens for directional compression, and a second lens for final focusing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, resolving the contradiction between collecting large amounts of light and guiding it to a small receiver.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cylindrical lens that compresses light in one dimension (the dimension perpendicular to the sensor array) while maintaining light collection in other dimensions. This dimensional transformation allows the large-diameter lens to collect light effectively while the cylindrical lens redirects it appropriately to the small-area sensor.
2Manufacturing precision
If a cylindrical lens is used to image light from a measurement region, then light from limited-range regions can be imaged on the sensor array, but light having a large radiation diameter such as spatial optical signals cannot be efficiently guided toward a small-area light-receiving unit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple optical elements: the large-diameter lens combines with the cylindrical lens and second lens to create a composite optical system. This merging allows the system to simultaneously achieve both precise light imaging and efficient collection of light with large radiation diameters, resolving the contradiction between imaging precision and light collection efficiency.
3Speed
If a light-receiving element with small capacitance is used, then high-speed communication is achieved, but the light-receiving unit has a small area making it difficult to receive spatial optical signals efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediate optical components (cylindrical lens and second lens) that act as mediators between the large-diameter light-collecting lens and the small-area light-receiving element. These intermediaries transform and redirect the light path, allowing the small capacitance light-receiving element to efficiently receive spatial optical signals while maintaining high-speed communication capabilities.
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 proposed solution enables efficient reception of spatial optical signals by compressing and directing the signal to accommodate it within the small-area light-receiving surface, reducing variations in light-receiving efficiency and improving signal collection, thereby enhancing the overall reception capability of the system.
Implementation Method 1
a cylindrical lens, the curved surface of which is directed to the emission surface of the first optical collector and the plane facing the curved surface is directed to the incident surface of the third optical collector
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a diffuser plate, diffractive optical element, or diffusion layer to distribute the signal uniformly across the array
Implementation Method 3
utilizing a diffuser plate, diffractive optical element, or diffusion layer to distribute the signal uniformly across the array
Data Source
AI summary
A reception device that includes a first optical collector that collects an optical signal propagating in a space, a second optical collector that collects the optical signal collected by the first optical collector by compressing the optical signal in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, a third optical collector that collects the optical signal collected by the second optical collector in a direction including at least the first direction, and a light-receiving element array including a plurality of light-receiving elements arranged along the first direction, the light-receiving element array receiving the optical signal collected by the third optical collector by at least one of the plurality of light-receiving elements.