Optical Wireless Communication Spatial Light Modulator Beam Control

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing optical wireless communication systems require double optical amplifiers and double lenses for both beacon light and signal light transmission, making it difficult to reduce the size and cost of the optical wireless communication apparatuses.

Innovation Solution

The proposed optical wireless communication apparatus incorporates a spatial light modulator with a control unit that adjusts the phase delay of each pixel to change the beam width of the light transmitted, allowing for the same system to transmit both beacon light and signal light with different beam widths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If double optical amplifiers and double lenses are provided for beacon light and signal light transmission, then the communication functionality is complete, but the size and cost of the apparatus increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication functionalityVSAvoidapparatus size and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes a single optical amplifier and a single lens serve dual functions by using a spatial light modulator to dynamically change the beam width. The same optical components are used for both beacon light transmission (wide beam) and signal light transmission (narrow beam), eliminating the need for separate dedicated components for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a spatial light modulator that can dynamically adjust the beam width of the light transmitted through the optical system. By changing the beam width from narrow to wide, the system can switch between signal light transmission mode and beacon light transmission mode, allowing one set of optical components to perform multiple functions adaptively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If separate optical systems are used for beacon light and signal light, then transmission performance is optimized, but the apparatus becomes more expensive and larger

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission performanceVSAvoidapparatus cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes a single optical amplifier and a single lens serve dual functions by using a spatial light modulator to dynamically change the beam width. The same optical components are used for both beacon light transmission (wide beam) and signal light transmission (narrow beam), eliminating the need for separate dedicated components for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If separate optical systems are used for beacon light and signal light, then transmission performance is optimized, but the apparatus size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission performanceVSAvoidapparatus size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes a single optical amplifier and a single lens serve dual functions by using a spatial light modulator to dynamically change the beam width. The same optical components are used for both beacon light transmission (wide beam) and signal light transmission (narrow beam), eliminating the need for separate dedicated components for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the beacon light transmission function and signal light transmission function into a single optical system. By merging the optical amplifier and lens into one shared component set, controlled by the spatial light modulator, the physical size of the apparatus is reduced while maintaining both transmission capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This approach enables the reduction of the size and cost of the optical wireless communication apparatus while maintaining the ability to transmit both beacon light and signal light effectively.

Implementation Method 1

the spatial light modulator having a plurality of pixels, each of which causes a phase delay in light received by the pixel based on a given control signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase delay:

Implementation Method 2

an optical antenna arranged at a position where light of the optical wireless signal transmitted by the optical transmitting/receiving unit is converted into and emitted as parallel light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical conversion to parallel light:

Data Source

PatentUS12224797B2Optical wireless communication device and optical wireless communication method

Publication Date: 2025.02.11 NIPPON TELEGRAPH & TELEPHONE CORP

AI summary

A switching instructor outputs a beacon light selection notification signal when a optical transceiver transmits a optical wireless signal of a beacon light and outputs a signal light selection notification signal when the optical transceiver transmits the optical wireless signal of the signal light. A spatial light modulator controller performs switching of a control signal given to each of the plurality of pixels of a spatial light modulator to: cause a phase delay in light received by each of the plurality of pixels of the spatial light modulator when the switching instructor outputs the beacon light selection notification signal and cause a phase delay in light received by each of the plurality of pixels of the spatial light modulator when the switching instructor outputs the signal light selection notification signal.