Sinusoidal Optical Emission Circuit via Phase-Shifted Group Activation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical transmission circuits face challenges in efficiently generating sinusoidal optical signals for indirect time-of-flight applications, particularly in achieving high frequency and high average power with sinusoidal amplitude variation, which is simpler to measure than slotted optical signals.
Innovation Solution
A method involving an array of optical sources divided into groups, with sequential and periodic activation/deactivation using control signals phase-shifted by Pi/N, generating sinusoidal optical signals by varying the total current flowing through the sources, ensuring symmetry and high power transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If optical sources are activated continuously to maintain high average power, then power transmission is improved, but the ability to generate sinusoidal amplitude variation is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by sequentially activating and deactivating groups of optical sources in a periodic manner. The optical sources are divided into multiple groups that are activated in sequence with phase shifts, creating a periodic modulation pattern that generates sinusoidal amplitude variation while maintaining high average power transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the optical sources into multiple independent groups that can be controlled separately. This segmentation allows each group to be activated in sequence with specific duty cycles and phase shifts, enabling the generation of sinusoidal amplitude variation while maintaining overall high power transmission through coordinated group activation.
2Ease of operation
If optical sources are divided into multiple groups for sequential activation, then sinusoidal signal generation is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit generates periodic control signals with specific duty cycles (e.g., 50%) and phase shifts (e.g., Pi/N for N groups) to sequentially activate the optical source groups. This periodic control approach simplifies the generation of sinusoidal amplitude variation by using regular, repeating patterns rather than complex arbitrary waveforms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes key parameters of the control signals, specifically the duty cycle (set to 50% for symmetry) and phase shift (Pi/N between adjacent groups), to optimize the generation of symmetric sinusoidal signals. These parameter optimizations simplify the control circuit design by establishing fixed, standardized signal characteristics.
3Stability of the object's composition
If duty cycle is set to 1/2 for control signals, then symmetry of sinusoidal signal is improved, but flexibility in power adjustment is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent sets the duty cycle parameter to a fixed value of 1/2 (50%) to ensure symmetry in the generated sinusoidal optical signal. This fixed parameter approach prioritizes signal quality and symmetry over flexible power adjustment, creating a stable and predictable signal characteristics suitable for precise phase shift measurements.
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 enables the transmission of sinusoidal optical signals with high frequency and high average power, maintaining symmetry and reducing complexity, effectively addressing the measurement challenges in indirect time-of-flight applications.
Implementation Method 1
a method for controlling an array of M optical sources... generating an optical signal whose amplitude varies in stages according to a sinusoidal evolution
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The method for controlling an array (3) of M optical sources, the M optical sources being distributed into N groups (G1 to G4), with N less than M, comprises cycles of respective and sequential activation/deactivation of all the optical sources of the N groups from N control signals (SC1 to SC4) in periodic squares successively mutually phase-shifted by Pi/N and all having the same period, each control signal (SC1 to SC4) having a first state, a second state, and a duty cycle (R) of 1/2, each group (G1 to G4) being activated when the corresponding control signal (SC1 to SC4) is in its first state and deactivated when the control signal (SC1 to SC4) is in its second state,the number of optical sources in each group (G1 to G4) and the ordering of the groups (G1 to G4) in the activation/deactivation sequence being chosen so as to generate an optical signal (5) whose amplitude varies in steps according to a sinusoidal evolution.