Optical Wireless Transmitter Zoning for Wide-Angle Low-Power Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical wireless communication (OWC) transceiver devices face challenges in achieving efficient low energy consumption while maintaining a wide field of view and high data rate transfer, with energy consumption being dependent on light source characteristics and heat production.
Innovation Solution
The OWC transceiver apparatus employs a plurality of transmitters and detectors with adjustable fields of view, controlled by a controller to selectively activate or deactivate transmitters based on the presence and location of a remote device, using presence detectors to minimize energy usage and heat management through heat sinks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple transmitters are activated to provide wide field of view coverage, then the field of view coverage is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the wide field of view into multiple overlapping zones, each covered by a separate transmitter. The system selectively activates only the transmitters whose zones contain detected remote devices, rather than keeping all transmitters continuously active. This segmentation allows the system to maintain comprehensive coverage capability while reducing energy consumption by activating only the necessary subset of transmitters at any given time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts which transmitters are active based on real-time detection of remote device locations. The controller continuously monitors detector signals and adjusts transmitter activation states accordingly, transitioning between different operational configurations as devices move in or out of detection zones. This dynamic adaptation enables the system to optimize the balance between coverage and energy consumption in response to changing conditions.
2Reliability
If transmitters are continuously activated to maintain high data rate transfer, then the data transfer reliability is improved, but heat production increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous operation, the system employs periodic detection and selective activation. Detectors continuously monitor for the presence of remote devices, and transmitters are activated only during periods when devices are detected within their zones. This periodic on-demand operation maintains data transfer reliability when needed while significantly reducing cumulative heat production compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from detectors to control transmitter operation. Detector signals provide real-time information about remote device presence, which the controller uses to adjust transmitter activation. This feedback mechanism ensures that transmitters operate only when necessary for maintaining reliable data transfer, thereby reducing unnecessary heat generation while preserving communication reliability.
3Use of energy by moving object
If transmitters are selectively deactivated to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but communication continuity may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The field of view is segmented into multiple overlapping zones with overlapping coverage areas. When a transmitter is deactivated, adjacent transmitters with overlapping zones can maintain communication coverage. This segmentation with overlap ensures that selective deactivation of individual transmitters does not create coverage gaps, thereby maintaining communication continuity while reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection to identify which transmitters are needed before deactivating others. By continuously monitoring detector signals and anticipating device movements, the system can proactively maintain active the minimum necessary transmitters to ensure continuous coverage, preventing communication interruptions while maximizing energy savings from selective deactivation.
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 reduces energy consumption by selectively activating transmitters and managing heat, enabling efficient wide-field communication with high data rates and power savings.
Implementation Method 1
each transmitter has a respective heat sink in thermal connection to a plurality of other transmitter heat sinks such that the operating temperature of at least one transmitter is reduced when at least one of the further transmitters is not operational
Data Source
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AI summary
An optical wireless communication (OWC) transmitter apparatus comprises: a plurality of transmitters, each transmitter having a respective field-of-view in respect of which it is configured to transmit OWC signals; and a controller configured to select which of the transmitters transmit the OWC signals, thereby determining a transmission zone to which the OWC signals are transmitted by the apparatus, wherein the transmission zone comprises at least one sub-zone, each sub-zone corresponding to the field-of-view of a respective one of the transmitters.