Phase-Modulation Spatial Light Modulator for Continuous Optical Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mobile light communication, high-directivity communication using lasers requires mechanical alignment, leading to increased device size and cost, and phase-modulation spatial light modulators experience uncommunicable time intervals due to blanking times.
Innovation Solution
A communication device with a phase-modulation spatial light modulator and control unit that operates using two distinct patterns within a frame time interval, allowing for extended light transmittable intervals and pause intervals, where the second pause interval is within the first transmittable interval and the first pause interval is within the second transmittable interval, ensuring continuous signal transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a phase-modulation spatial light modulator is used for directional control of light, then device size and cost are reduced, but uncommunicable time intervals occur due to blanking time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by dividing the frame time interval into multiple operation patterns with alternating pause intervals and light transmittable intervals. The phase-modulation spatial light modulator operates in a periodic cycle, switching between different operation patterns where pause intervals are strategically placed within light transmittable intervals of other patterns, ensuring continuous communication without uncommunicable time intervals despite the inherent blanking time of the device.
2Measurement precision
If a mechanical gimbal is used for alignment matching, then alignment precision is improved, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical gimbal system with an optical field-based alignment method. Instead of using mechanical components to physically align transmission and reception units, the invention uses phase-modulation spatial light modulators to control the optical field distribution, achieving alignment through optical phase modulation and pattern recognition. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical structures while maintaining alignment precision through electromagnetic field control.
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 the uncommunicable time interval, enabling continuous light transmission without deactivating the phase-modulation spatial light modulator and potentially reducing device size and cost.
Implementation Method 1
phase-modulation spatial light modulator which electrically carries out directional control of light
Data Source
AI summary
This communication device has a phase-modulation spatial light modulator; and a control unit which causes, during one frame time interval, the phase-modulation spatial light modulator to operate with first and second operation patterns. In a predetermined period within the one frame time interval, the first operation pattern includes a first light transmittable interval during which first signal light can be output, and a first pause interval during which the first signal light cannot be output whereas the second operation pattern includes a second light transmittable interval during which second signal light can be output, and a second pause interval during which the second signal light cannot be output. The first and second light transmittable intervals are each longer than a half of the predetermined period. The second pause interval is present within the first light transmittable interval, and the first pause interval is present within the second light transmittable interval.