Series-Coupled Modulating Components for Retroreflector Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current modulating retroreflectors in free-space optical systems face limitations in data rates and ranges due to high insertion losses, narrow wavelength ranges, and thermal management issues, particularly when using multiple quantum wells and larger surfaces with higher control voltages.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of series-coupled modulating components, including controllable reflective surfaces and optically-transparent layers, reduces overall capacitance and power consumption, allowing for increased data rates and ranges while supporting phase, amplitude, intensity, and polarization modulations across a wide wavelength range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple quantum wells and larger surfaces with higher control voltages are used to increase data rates and ranges, then data rates and ranges are improved, but power consumption and thermal management issues worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical connection configuration from parallel to series coupling of modulating components. This parameter change in the circuit topology reduces the overall capacitance and power consumption while maintaining the data modulation capability, thereby improving energy efficiency without sacrificing data rate performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure combining multiple modulating components (quantum wells or other modulating layers) coupled in series. This composite configuration achieves both high data rates and low power consumption by distributing the modulation function across multiple components with reduced individual capacitance requirements
2Productivity
If multiple quantum wells and larger surfaces with higher control voltages are used to increase data rates and ranges, then data rates and ranges are improved, but thermal management issues worsen
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the electrical connection parameter from parallel to series coupling, the overall capacitance and power consumption are reduced. This parameter change directly reduces the thermal load generated during operation, improving thermal management while maintaining data rate performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of high power consumption and heat generation into a benefit by using series-coupled modulating components with lower capacitance. The reduced electrical load generates less heat, turning a thermal management problem into an advantage for system reliability and operation
3Use of energy by moving object
If series-coupled modulating components are used to reduce capacitance and power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the modulation function into multiple series-coupled modulating components. Each component handles a portion of the modulation task with reduced individual capacitance, and their series combination achieves the overall modulation while reducing total power consumption. The segmentation makes the complex function manageable and efficient
4Productivity
If series-coupled modulating components are used to reduce capacitance and power consumption, then data rates are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The modulation function is segmented into multiple series-coupled components, each contributing to the overall data modulation. This segmentation enables high data rates through coordinated operation of low-capacitance components while keeping individual component complexity manageable
Solution Approach 2:
The series-coupled modulating components provide multi-functionality by simultaneously achieving data modulation, reducing capacitance, and lowering power consumption. This universal approach addresses multiple performance requirements with a single architectural solution, making the increased complexity worthwhile
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 enhances data rates and ranges by reducing capacitance and power consumption, enabling larger link ranges and broader wavelength support with improved thermal management, potentially scaling to gigabaud speeds and ten-kilometer distances.
Implementation Method 1
multiple modulators configured to modulate the optical signal and encode data onto the optical signal
Implementation Method 2
one or more reflective surfaces configured to receive an optical signal and to provide a reflected optical signal
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a modulating retroreflector. The modulating retroreflector includes one or more reflective surfaces configured to receive an optical signal and to provide a reflected optical signal. The modulating retroreflector also includes multiple modulators configured to modulate the optical signal and encode data onto the optical signal such that the reflected optical signal represents a reflected and modulated version of the optical signal. The multiple modulators are electrically connected in series. The system also includes a control circuit configured to generate a drive signal and to provide the drive signal to the multiple modulators in order to control the encoding of the data onto the optical signal.