Optical Wireless Gain Control to Avoid Receiver Saturation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gain control methods in optical wireless communication systems fail to account for changes in data rate, leading to sub-optimal reception performance when the distance between communicating devices varies, causing saturation or link breakdown.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that adjusts gain settings based on both received signal strength and data rate changes, using a controller to optimize performance by reducing gain when signal strength exceeds a threshold and data rate decreases, applied to either the receiver or transmitter chain or both, to prevent saturation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional gain control methods are used based solely on received signal strength, then the system is simple to implement, but receiver saturation occurs when signal strength exceeds threshold leading to sub-optimal reception performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the controller monitors both the received signal strength and the actual data rate, then adjusts the gain setting accordingly. When the signal strength exceeds a threshold and the data rate decreases (indicating saturation), the controller reduces the gain. This closed-loop feedback system resolves the contradiction by maintaining optimal reception performance without requiring overly complex control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from solely signal strength to a combination of signal strength and data rate. By monitoring the data rate as an additional parameter, the system can detect saturation conditions more accurately and adjust the gain setting to maintain optimal performance, thereby improving reliability without excessive complexity.
2Productivity
If gain is not adjusted when signal strength is high, then the system maintains stable operation, but saturation occurs leading to reduced data rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic gain adjustment based on real-time monitoring of both signal strength and data rate. Instead of maintaining a fixed gain setting, the system dynamically adapts the gain when saturation conditions are detected (high signal strength combined with reduced data rate). This dynamic approach maintains link stability while preventing saturation-induced productivity loss.
3Adaptability or versatility
If distance between devices varies constantly, then the system adapts to different positions, but saturation or link breakdown occurs due to drastic pathloss changes
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback mechanism continuously monitors signal strength and data rate to detect saturation conditions caused by varying distances. When devices move closer causing excessive signal strength, the system reduces gain to prevent saturation. When devices move farther causing weak signals, the system increases gain to maintain link continuity. This resolves the contradiction by enabling adaptability to distance changes while maintaining link reliability.
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
Achieves maximum data rate by avoiding saturation regions, improving system performance and maintaining optimal operation points in varying distances between devices.
Implementation Method 1
The optical receiver is configured to receive an optical signal and converted to an electrical signal
Implementation Method 2
a power detector configured to detect a signal strength of the received signal
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus (200) in a point-to-point optical wireless communication system, the apparatus comprises an optical receiver (210) configured to receive a signal; a power detector (202) configured to detect a signal strength of the received signal; a digital baseband module (203) configured to demodulate the received signal and measure a data rate of the received signal; and a controller (204) configured to derive a gain setting adjustment according to a change of the measured data rate when the detected signal strength is above a certain threshold.