Photonic Lantern Fine Point Tracking for Shared Optical Channels

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional free space optical (FSO) communication systems require separate channels and components for transmitting and receiving optical signals, leading to increased mass and power consumption, and are limited by the need for different wavelengths or polarizations, which hampers techniques like wavelength division multiplexing.

Innovation Solution

The use of a photonic lantern that integrates both transmission and reception channels into a shared fiber optic assembly, utilizing a central single-mode fiber for fundamental optical modes and surrounding multi-mode fibers for higher-order modes, with a signal processing unit and a neural network model to stabilize the incident wavefront.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate channels are used for transmitting and receiving optical signals, then signal transmission and reception functions are independent and reliable, but system mass and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal transmission reliabilityVSAvoidsystem mass

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the transmitting and receiving channels into a single shared fiber optic assembly. The photonic lantern integrates multiple single-mode fibers (for reception) and multi-mode fibers (for transmission) into one unified structure, eliminating the need for separate channels and reducing system mass while maintaining independent signal transmission and reception capabilities through wavelength division multiplexing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shared fiber optic assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously. The same photonic lantern structure handles both optical signal transmission and reception by utilizing different wavelength ranges and fiber types within the unified assembly, enabling the system to reduce component count and mass while maintaining reliable bidirectional communication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate channels are used for transmitting and receiving optical signals, then signal transmission and reception functions are independent and reliable, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal transmission reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the transmitting and receiving channels into a single shared fiber optic assembly. The photonic lantern integrates multiple single-mode fibers (for reception) and multi-mode fibers (for transmission) into one unified structure, eliminating the need for separate channels and reducing system mass while maintaining independent signal transmission and reception capabilities through wavelength division multiplexing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shared fiber optic assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously. The same photonic lantern structure handles both optical signal transmission and reception by utilizing different wavelength ranges and fiber types within the unified assembly, enabling the system to reduce component count and mass while maintaining reliable bidirectional communication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If different wavelengths or polarizations are used for transmission and reception, then signal separation is enabled, but wavelength division multiplexing techniques are hampered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal separation capabilityVSAvoidwavelength division multiplexing capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes wavelength as a distinguishing parameter to enable both signal separation and multiplexing. By assigning specific wavelength ranges to transmission and reception channels within the shared fiber optic assembly, the system achieves clear signal separation while maintaining the flexibility to implement wavelength division multiplexing for increased capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The shared fiber optic assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously. The same photonic lantern structure handles both optical signal transmission and reception by utilizing different wavelength ranges and fiber types within the unified assembly, enabling the system to reduce component count and mass while maintaining reliable bidirectional communication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If conventional FSO systems use separate channels, then signal transmission and reception are independent, but fine point tracking requires additional optical and electronic components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal transmission reliabilityVSAvoidoptical and electronic components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the transmitting and receiving channels into a single shared fiber optic assembly. The photonic lantern integrates multiple single-mode fibers (for reception) and multi-mode fibers (for transmission) into one unified structure, eliminating the need for separate channels and reducing system mass while maintaining independent signal transmission and reception capabilities through wavelength division multiplexing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The photonic lantern structure itself provides the functionality for fine point tracking through its inherent wavefront sensing capabilities. By monitoring the spatial distribution of optical modes within the integrated fiber assembly, the system can detect and correct pointing errors without requiring separate dedicated tracking components, allowing the same structure to serve both communication and tracking functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 design reduces system mass and power consumption by sharing fine steering assemblies, enables wavelength multiplexing, and facilitates precise fine point tracking without additional optical and electronic components, enhancing communication efficiency and flexibility.

Implementation Method 1

the second open end comprises a plurality of single mode fibers adiabatically coupled to the multi-mode fiber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdiabatic coupling:

Implementation Method 2

determine a configuration of an incident wavefront on the fast steering mirror, wherein the configuration is determined using a neural network model trained to associate a non-linear relationship between fiber-specific intensity data and the incident wavefront configuration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNeural network processing:

Implementation Method 3

transmit control data to the driver to control the fast steering mirror to stabilize the incident wavefront

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWavefront modulation:

Implementation Method 4

a signal processing unit coupled to the at least one single-mode fiber via an optical directional coupler

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical coupling:

Implementation Method 5

the signal processing unit includes one or more fiber splitters to sample a fraction of the received signal in each single mode fiber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSignal sampling:

Data Source

PatentUS12362828B2Optical communication system using a photonic lantern for fine point tracking

Publication Date: 2025.07.15 HONEYWELL LIMITED HONEYWELL LIMITÉE

AI summary

An optical communication system using a photonic lantern for fine point tracking is disclosed. The optical communication system may comprise a photonic lantern, a signal processing unit including one or more fiber splitters to sample a fraction of a received signal in each single mode fiber of the photonic lantern, and one or more intensity sensors positioned in one arm of each fiber splitter, and used for monitoring fiber-specific intensity data associated with each of the single-mode fibers. The system may further include a fine pointing assembly and a controller for controlling a driver of the fine pointing assembly.