Optical Transceiver Steering Angle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laser communication systems require complex and separate pointing systems to accurately align transmit and receive light beams due to relativistic effects at high relative velocities between laser terminals, leading to increased complexity and precision requirements.
Innovation Solution
An optical transceiver with a single optical beam coupling device using a plurality of optical elements, such as compound prisms or diffraction gratings, that dynamically controls the steering angle between the receive and transmit light beams, allowing for precise alignment and accounting for point-ahead angles through a controller that adjusts the position of these elements based on estimated relative velocities and positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If two separate pointing systems are implemented to account for relativistic effects at high relative velocities, then accurate alignment of transmit and receive light beams is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate pointing systems into a single integrated pointing system that controls both transmit and receive light beams. The system uses a single set of steering mirrors and control mechanisms to manage both beam directions, reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to account for point-ahead angles through software-based differential steering calculations
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated pointing system performs multiple functions: it steers both transmit and receive light beams, calculates and applies point-ahead angle corrections, and provides unified control for both communication directions. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate pointing systems while preserving alignment precision
2Reliability
If two separate pointing systems are implemented to differentiate between current and future positions of remote terminal, then accurate communication is achieved, but the system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations of the point-ahead angle based on predicted future positions of the remote terminal. By pre-calculating the required steering angle adjustment before transmission, the system ensures accurate beam alignment without requiring complex real-time separate control systems for transmit and receive paths
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a control system that acts as an intermediary, calculating the differential steering angle based on relative velocity and position data. This intermediary computation layer translates complex relativistic effect requirements into simple steering mirror adjustments, maintaining communication accuracy while simplifying the physical pointing system architecture
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
Simplifies the alignment process by using a single optical assembly for both transmit and receive light beams, reducing complexity and improving precision in high-velocity laser communication systems, enabling accurate data exchange between laser terminals.
Implementation Method 1
The optical elements are configured to control a steering angle between the receive light beam received by the optical beam coupling device along a first line of sight (LOS) and the transmit light beam that is output from the optical beam coupling device along a second LOS different from the first LOS
Data Source
AI summary
An optical transceiver for controlling a steering angle between a receive light beam and a transmit light beam includes an optical beam coupling device. The optical beam coupling device comprises a plurality of optical elements configured to control a steering angle between the receive light beam received by the optical beam coupling device along a first line of sight (LOS) and the transmit light beam that is output from the optical beam coupling device along a second LOS different from the first LOS, wherein both the receive light beam and the transmit light beam pass through the plurality of optical elements. The plurality of optical elements have a set of combinations for different positions of each of the optical elements, wherein each position in the set of combinations induces a different steering angle between the transmit light beam and the receive light beam.