Sectorized Optical Wireless Transmitter with Feedback Beam Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sectorized transmitters for optical wireless communication require multiple narrow beam light sensors, increasing device size and cost, while existing solutions for beam selection in optical wireless communication systems are inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A sectorized transmitter apparatus with a wide beam light source and multiple narrow beam light sources, using a feedback-based beam selection procedure to select the optimal narrow beam light source for data communication, without requiring multiple narrow FoV light sensors, thus reducing device size and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple narrow beam light sensors are used for beam selection in optical wireless communication, then beam selection accuracy is improved, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitter is divided into multiple independent light sources, each emitting in a different direction with a specific field-of-view. This segmentation allows the system to achieve directional beam selection without requiring multiple sensors at the receiver side, as each light source can be independently controlled and selected based on communication needs.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using multiple sensors at the receiver to select the best beam direction, the invention inverts the approach by using multiple controllable light sources at the transmitter. The transmitter actively selects which light source to use based on feedback from the receiver, reversing the traditional receiver-side selection mechanism and reducing receiver complexity.
2Area of stationary object
If wide beam angle is used to provide large coverage, then coverage area is improved, but received optical power decreases due to path loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between different light sources based on the receiver's position and communication requirements. Instead of using a fixed wide beam that disperses energy, the system activates only the light source whose field-of-view contains the receiver, making the beam coverage dynamic and adaptive to maintain high optical power while providing wide overall coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
Different light sources are assigned different field-of-view characteristics optimized for specific directions. Each light source provides concentrated optical power in its specific direction rather than dispersing power across all directions, achieving local optimization of power density while maintaining global coverage through the combination of multiple light sources.
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
Enables high-speed optical communication with reduced power consumption and cost, while maintaining large coverage, by selectively activating only the necessary narrow beam light source for data transmission.
Implementation Method 1
two or more narrow beam light sources each configured to emit in a different direction
Implementation Method 2
at least one photodiode configured to receive optical feedback signals
Data Source
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Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
:An apparatus (100) for use in an optical wireless communication systemcomprises: a wide beam light source (L5); two or more narrow beam light sources (L1-L4) configured to emit in a different direction, wherein a combined field-of-view, FoV, of the narrow beam light sources (L1-L4) is covered by a FoV of the wide beam light source (L5);a plurality of switches (S1-S5) configured to turn on or off a corresponding one out of the 5light sources (L1-L5) individually; a receiver (RX) configured to receive one or more feedback signals from a remote device (200); and a controller (CTR) configured to control the plurality of switches (S1-S5) via a control signal; update the control signal based on the one or more feedback signals received by the receiver (RX); carry out a beam selection procedure by sending test signals via the wide beam light source (L5) and one or more 10narrow beam light sources (L1-L4) to the remote device (200) to enable a selection of one out of the narrow beam light sources (L1-L4) for establishing data communication with the remote device (200).