Optical Transceiver Unit With Elevated Transmitting Optics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical wireless data transmission systems face interruptions when the distance between rotatable transmitter/receiver units is small compared to their size, leading to loss of visual contact and data connection disruptions during rotation.
Innovation Solution
An optical transmitter/receiver unit design where the receiving optics and transmitting optics are integrated, allowing for a continuous data connection regardless of the relative rotational position, with the transmitting optics arranged above the receiver to ensure the transmission beam reaches the receiver even at short distances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the distance between transmitter and receiver is reduced to enable compact design, then device size is improved, but visual contact is lost during rotation causing data transmission interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a planar arrangement where transmitter and receiver are positioned side-by-side to a three-dimensional configuration where the transmitter is elevated above the receiver. This vertical dimension allows the transmitter to maintain line-of-sight connection to the receiver even when the device rotates, solving the problem of visual contact loss while enabling compact horizontal footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an asymmetric arrangement where the transmitter is positioned at a different height and location relative to the receiver, specifically above and offset from the rotation axis. This asymmetric positioning ensures that the transmission path remains unobstructed during rotation, unlike symmetric side-by-side arrangements where components would periodically block each other's view.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional side-by-side arrangement is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but data connection is interrupted when units rotate out of alignment
Solution Approach 1:
By elevating the transmitter vertically above the receiver rather than positioning it laterally, the patent creates a transmission path that extends in the vertical dimension. This dimensional change ensures that rotation around the vertical axis does not interrupt the line-of-sight connection, maintaining reliability while keeping the manufacturing process relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical intermediary system consisting of a transmitter optic and receiver optic that actively manage the light path. These optical elements mediate the transmission between transmitter and receiver, ensuring proper beam direction and reception even as the device rotates, thereby maintaining continuous connection without complex mechanical alignment mechanisms.
3Reliability
If transmitter and receiver are positioned far apart, then visual contact is maintained during rotation, but device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the size-reliability trade-off by utilizing the vertical dimension to position the transmitter above the receiver. This allows the horizontal distance between components to be minimized for compact device size, while the vertical separation and elevated positioning ensure that the transmission path remains clear during rotation, maintaining visual contact without requiring large device dimensions.
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
Ensures a continuous and reliable data connection between rotatable components, preventing data transmission interruptions and enabling higher data rates through an optical interface.
Implementation Method 1
the receiving optics are configured to direct the optical receive signal incident on the transmit/receive optics in the direction of the optical receiver
Implementation Method 2
the receiving optics are configured to direct the optical receive signal incident on the transmit/receive optics in the direction of the optical receiver
Implementation Method 3
the transmitting optics are configured to shape the optical transmit signal emitted by the optical transmitter into an output beam
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2
Figure 3(a)~3(g)
AI summary
The invention relates to an optical transceiver unit (200) comprising a carrier (210) that can be rotated about an axis of rotation (206), an optical receiver (204) which is arranged on the carrier (210) on the axis of rotation (206) in order to receive an optical receiving signal from a first direction, an optical transmitter (202) which is arranged on the carrier, adjacently to the optical receiver (204), in order to transmit an optical transmission signal (208) in a second direction, and an optical transceiver system (214) which is arranged on the carrier (210) on the axis of rotation (206) above the optical receiver (204) and extends over the optical receiver (204) and the optical transmitter (202), the optical transceiver system (214) comprising an optical receiving system (218) and an optical transmission system (220) arranged in the optical receiving system (218). The optical receiving system (218) is designed to guide the optical receiving signal incident on the optical transceiver system (214) towards the optical receiver (204) on the axis of rotation (206), and the optical transmission system (220) is arranged above the optical transmitter (202) and designed to shape the optical transmission signal (208) transmitted by the optical transmitter (202) into an output beam.