Spatial Optical Communication Assembly with Calibration-Based Beam Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing satellite optical communication systems face challenges in precisely tracking and maintaining stable connections with ground stations due to environmental factors and satellite dynamics, leading to communication disruptions and reduced data transfer rates.
Innovation Solution
An assembly comprising a fast-steering mirror, beam splitter, and image sensor with adjustable integration time and power settings, along with a control unit to dynamically track and stabilize the optical link by centering incoming light on a pointing target, using a single steering mirror and image sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a focused optical beam is used for communication, then data transfer rate is increased, but tracking precision and link stability become more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the image sensor continuously monitors the position of the incoming optical beam, and the control unit adjusts the beam director in real-time to maintain proper alignment. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures link stability while maintaining high data transfer rates through focused optical communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam director is designed with dynamic adjustment capabilities, allowing it to rapidly change orientation in response to satellite motion and environmental disturbances. This dynamic adaptation enables the system to maintain stable communication links despite the challenging space environment while preserving the benefits of focused optical beams for high-speed data transfer.
2Reliability
If environmental factors and satellite motion are compensated, then link stability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image sensor serves multiple functions: it acts as both a communication receiver and a tracking sensor for beam alignment. The beam director also performs dual roles in steering the outgoing communication beam and compensating for tracking errors. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity while maintaining link stability under environmental disturbances and satellite motion.
3Speed
If a fast-steering mirror is used for tracking, then response time is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the tracking function and communication function into a single integrated optical path. The fast-steering mirror (beam director) is shared between the outgoing communication beam and the incoming tracking signal, both of which pass through the same optical components including the beam splitter and image sensor. This merging approach achieves rapid response for tracking while avoiding the complexity of separate tracking and communication systems.
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 reliable and robust optical communication by canceling high-frequency noise and maintaining stable links under dynamic conditions, enhancing data transfer stability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The beam director is an optical component configured for dynamically redirecting light, either by reflection or by refraction
Implementation Method 2
The beam director is an optical component configured for dynamically redirecting light, either by reflection or by refraction
Implementation Method 3
The emitted light is split by the beam splitter into a calibration branch and an outgoing branch
Implementation Method 4
an image sensor with an array of pixels... The calibration branch of the emitted light is received by the image sensor
Implementation Method 5
a fast-steering mirror is a mirror that is mounted on actuators, e.g. piezoelectric actuators/stage, to enable rapid and precise adjustments of their orientation
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an assembly for optical communication, in particular space communication, through a telescope, the assembly comprising an image sensor (24) with an array of pixels, an optical emitter (26) configured to emit an emitted light (27) to transfer information, a beam splitter (20) and a beam director (18); wherein the beam director (18) is arranged to receive incoming light (13) from a target (12) transmitted through the telescope, and reflect said incoming light (13) towards the beam splitter (20); wherein the beam splitter (20) is arranged to reflect or transmit incoming light (13) reflected by the beam director (18) towards the image sensor (24), such that the image sensor (24) at least partially receives the incoming light (13); wherein the beam splitter is arranged to split the emitted light into a calibration branch (27.2) and an outgoing branch (27.1), such that light of the calibration branch (27.2) is received by the image sensor (24), and light of the outgoing branch (27.1) is reflected by the beam director (18) towards the telescope; wherein, in use, data from the image sensor (24) is processed by a control unit (15) and used to control the beam director (18) to track the target (12) and cancel high-frequency noise. According to the invention, the assembly further comprises an optical attenuator (28) arranged on an optical path of the calibration branch (27.2) to reduce its intensity; wherein the image sensor (24) is operable in a calibration mode or in a link mode by modifying an integration time parameter of the image sensor (24); wherein the image sensor (24) and the optical attenuator (28) are configured such that the calibration branch of the emitted light has a power which is higher than a minimum power for registration for the image sensor (24) when the latter is in calibration mode; and wherein the image sensor (24) and the optical attenuator (28) are configured such that the calibration branch of the emitted light has a power which is lower than a minimum power for registration for the image sensor (24) when the latter is in link mode.