Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface Optical Signal Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless optical communication systems require sophisticated receivers capable of handling optical signals, which increases complexity and cost, and limits communication distance due to the need for optical signal processing.
Innovation Solution
A communication system utilizing a reconfigurable intelligent surface that detects optical signals, converts them into electrical signals, and transmits these to a receiver, eliminating the need for optical signal processing at the receiver and enabling longer communication distances through radio electromagnetic waves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the receiver directly receives and processes optical signals in a wireless optical communication system, then optical communication functionality is achieved, but the receiver complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) as an intermediary component between the optical transmitter and the receiver. The RIS reflects and modulates optical signals, enabling the receiver to communicate indirectly through electrical signals rather than requiring direct optical signal processing capability. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by maintaining communication functionality while reducing receiver complexity.
2Productivity
If optical signals are transmitted directly to the receiver, then communication is achieved, but the communication distance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The reconfigurable intelligent surface serves as a relay station that extends the communication range. By reflecting optical signals from the transmitter and converting them to electrical signals for transmission to the receiver, the RIS enables longer communication distances while maintaining signal reliability through the hybrid optical-electrical transmission approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces pure optical transmission with a hybrid system that uses electrical signal transmission for the final leg to the receiver. This substitution allows the system to leverage both optical transmission advantages (high bandwidth) and electrical transmission advantages (longer distance, easier processing), thereby extending communication distance while maintaining reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the receiver supports optical communication functions, then optical signal processing is enabled, but the cost and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reconfigurable intelligent surface acts as an intermediary that performs optical-to-electrical signal conversion before the signal reaches the receiver. This eliminates the need for the receiver to have complex optical signal processing capabilities, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining the ability to process communication signals effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The RIS creates an electrical signal copy of the optical signal information, allowing the receiver to work with electrical signals that contain the same information as the original optical signal. This copying approach enables the receiver to avoid direct optical processing, reducing both cost and power consumption while preserving full communication 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
This approach reduces the requirements and costs associated with the receiver, while extending communication distances by using radio electromagnetic waves for signal transmission, maintaining high communication performance with low power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
the reconfigurable intelligent surface, configured to: detect the optical signal to obtain first target information, modulate the first target information to generate an electrical signal
Data Source
AI summary
A communication method, apparatus, and system are disclosed. The system includes: a reconfigurable intelligent surface, a receiver, and a transmitter configured to send an optical signal to a reconfigurable intelligent surface, wherein the reconfigurable intelligent surface is configured to: detect the optical signal to obtain first target information, modulate the first target information to generate an electrical signal, and send the electrical signal to a receiver, where the first target information is the detected optical signal; and generate the electrical signal based on the optical signal, and send the electrical signal to the receiver; and the receiver is configured to detect the electrical signal to obtain second target information, and demodulate the second target information to obtain data information and/or control information carried in the optical signal, where the second target information is the detected electrical signal.