Optical Routing for Indoor Laser Links Without Intermediate Routers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless communication systems face limitations in indoor areas due to limited coverage and signal attenuation, requiring costly and complex optical beam deflectors that are not suitable for indoor use, and struggle to support a large number of IoT devices with high-speed data connectivity and reliable communication.
Innovation Solution
An optical routing device employing RF supervisory links and laser beam deflection for ultra-flexible, ultra-reliable wireless communication, using battery-operated passive optical nodes for concurrent laser beam handling and power transmission, forming a wireless optical backhaul network with near-zero latency and high SNR.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional Wi-Fi signal broadcast devices are used to extend wireless coverage in indoor areas, then the coverage area can be increased, but signal attenuation occurs with increasing distance and a large number of intermediate routers are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional radio frequency (RF) Wi-Fi signal transmission with laser beam-based optical wireless communication. This substitution eliminates signal attenuation issues inherent in RF systems by using optical beams that maintain higher signal quality over extended distances, thereby extending coverage area without compromising signal reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical beam deflectors as intermediary devices that redirect laser beams to reach remote end-user devices. These deflectors act as passive optical nodes that bounce laser beams around corners and through obstacles, enabling coverage extension without requiring active signal processing or intermediate routers, thus maintaining signal quality while expanding coverage area.
2Reliability
If Ethernet cables are used to connect network devices, then reliable connectivity is achieved, but cable installation and reconfiguration are costly and require damage to walls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical Ethernet cable connections with wireless laser beam transmission. This eliminates the need for cable installation through walls and conduits, allowing network devices to be connected or reconfigured simply by pointing laser beams at each other, thereby maintaining connectivity reliability while dramatically improving installation ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables dynamic reconfiguration of network connections through movable optical beam deflectors and adjustable laser pointers. Network topology can be changed in real-time by simply redirecting laser beams without physical reconfiguration, providing both reliability and flexibility that static cable-based systems cannot achieve.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional optical beam deflectors are used for outdoor applications, then beam deflection is achieved, but the devices are bulky, power-intensive, and not suitable for indoor use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs passive optical nodes with simple reflective surfaces specifically designed for indoor environments. These nodes lack the complex active components of conventional outdoor deflectors, requiring minimal power and occupying minimal space, thereby enabling adaptability to indoor applications while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses simple, inexpensive passive optical nodes that can be easily deployed and repositioned throughout indoor spaces. These nodes are designed to be replaced or reconfigured as needed without significant cost or complexity, making them suitable for indoor applications where flexibility and ease of installation are paramount.
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 full coverage with high-speed data connectivity and improved data security in indoor areas without deploying costly intermediate routers, supporting a large number of devices with near-zero latency and high network redundancy.
Implementation Method 1
an optical routing component that includes one or more laser beam handling regions configured to handle a plurality of laser beams concurrently in which a first laser beam is deflected via a first region of the one or more laser beam handling regions
Implementation Method 2
direct the first laser beam carrying the first data signal in a downstream path to a service communication device
Data Source
AI summary
A first optical routing device that includes a mounting component, a memory configured to store optical path options, where the optical path options are different fall-back laser-link options available to the first optical routing device to establish a laser beam connectivity, and an optical routing component attached to the mounting component. The mounting component includes a rechargeable battery to power operations of the first optical routing device and a processor that communicates over-the-air with a master communication device or one or more service communication devices via RF supervisory links, receives an instruction via the one or more RF supervisory links to control a movement of the mounting component along with the optical routing component, and performs a range measurement to compute a distance between the first optical routing device and an optical node.