Integrated OWC Optoelectronics for Lower Power and Bulk

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical wireless communication systems face issues of sub-optimal performance, high power consumption, significant bulk, and additional cost due to the use of electronic modules not designed to work together, and lack scalability in setup.

Innovation Solution

An optoelectronic device with a unified control and power supply module for both transmitting and receiving optoelectronic modules, optimized for OWC applications, incorporating features like pre-equalization, amplification, and feedback loops to enhance performance and reduce energy consumption and bulk.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If separate electronic modules are used for transmitting and receiving optoelectronic functions, then the system can be assembled from off-the-shelf components, but the performance becomes sub-optimal and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly from off-the-shelf componentsVSAvoidperformance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the transmitting optoelectronic module, receiving optoelectronic module, control module, and power supply module into a single integrated optoelectronic device. This integration eliminates the need for separate off-the-shelf modules, thereby optimizing performance while maintaining manufacturability through unified design and assembly processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated optoelectronic device performs multiple functions including transmission, reception, control, and power supply within a single device. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by achieving optimal performance through unified design while still allowing for standardized manufacturing of the complete device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If multiple separate modules are used for optoelectronic functions, then component availability is improved, but the device bulk and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent availabilityVSAvoiddevice bulk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate modules (transmitting optoelectronic module, receiving optoelectronic module, control module, power supply module) into a single integrated device, thereby reducing device bulk while maintaining component availability through standardized integrated unit production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate control and power supply modules are used for each optoelectronic module, then modular flexibility is maintained, but power consumption and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodular flexibilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges separate control and power supply modules into unified control and power supply units that serve both transmitting and receiving optoelectronic functions. This integration reduces power consumption by eliminating redundant components and shared resources, while maintaining flexibility through the modular structure of the integrated device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If case-by-case OWC systems are designed, then specific performance requirements are met, but scalability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperformance optimizationVSAvoidscalability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated optoelectronic device is designed with universal functionality that can be deployed in various OWC network configurations. The device maintains optimized performance through integrated design while enabling scalability by allowing multiple identical devices to be deployed across different network sizes and configurations without requiring custom design for each case.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The solution achieves optimal performance, reduced power consumption, and cost, while enabling scalability and high throughput through wavelength multiplexing, with data rates of at least 1 Gbps per optoelectronic device.

Implementation Method 1

a transmitting optoelectronic module capable of converting a digital signal into a light signal to be transmitted

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission from optoelectronic components: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

a receiving optoelectronic module capable of converting a received light signal into a digital signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric conversion: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12526052B2Discrete optoelectronic device for an access or end point of an optical wireless network

Publication Date: 2026.01.13 OLEDCOMM

AI summary

An optoelectronic device equips an access point of an optical wireless communication system and includes a transmitting optoelectronic module converting a digital signal into a light signal to be transmitted, a receiving optoelectronic module converting a received light signal into a digital signal, a control module controlling the transmitting optoelectronic module and the receiving optoelectronic module, and a power supply module supplying the transmitting optoelectronic module with a current selected by the control module, and the receiving optoelectronic module and the control module with voltages selected by the control module.