Staged Electromagnetic Beam Steering Without Moving Parts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromagnetic beam steering technologies rely on mechanical parts, which are expensive, not random access, and not rapid, limiting their ability to steer light efficiently over wide angles.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a first continuous steering layer and a second continuous steering layer, combined with a thin beam steering device and polarization birefringence gratings or volume holograms, enables rapid and efficient steering of electromagnetic beams over large angles without moving parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical steering devices (gimbals) are used to steer electromagnetic beams over wide angles, then steering efficiency over large angles is improved, but the system becomes expensive, slow, and unable to provide random access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical steering devices (gimbals) with electro-optical beam steering technology that uses phased arrays and phase shifters to control beam direction electronically. This substitution eliminates moving parts, enabling rapid random access to any steering angle within the operational range while maintaining wide-angle steering capability through phased array geometry and signal processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic beam steering by continuously adjusting phase and amplitude parameters of individual array elements in real-time. The system can rapidly change beam direction by modifying electrical parameters rather than physically moving components, achieving high-speed random access to any angle within the steerable range
2Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical steering devices are used to steer electromagnetic beams, then wide angle steering is achieved, but the system becomes expensive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical steering mechanisms with electronic phase control systems. The phased array uses simple repeating units (array elements with phase shifters) that can be controlled electronically, dramatically reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining wide-angle steering capability through coordinated phase adjustment across the array
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the beam steering function into multiple independent array elements, each capable of individual phase and amplitude control. This segmentation allows the system to achieve wide-angle steering through coordinated control of simple, identical units rather than requiring a single complex mechanical device
3Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical parts are used for beam steering, then steering over large angles is possible, but random access capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical steering with electronic phase control, enabling instantaneous repositioning of the beam to any angle within the steerable range. The phased array system can jump directly to any desired angle by changing electrical parameters, providing true random access capability that mechanical systems cannot achieve due to their sequential, physics-constrained operation
4Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical steering devices are used, then wide angle steering is achieved, but the steering speed becomes slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces slow mechanical movement with instantaneous electronic phase modulation. The phased array system changes beam direction by altering the phase relationship between array elements, which occurs at electronic speeds rather than mechanical speeds, enabling rapid steering response while maintaining wide-angle capability through the phased array configuration
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
The system achieves steering capabilities of up to +/â60 degrees with over 90% efficiency, overcoming the limitations of mechanical systems by providing rapid, efficient, and cost-effective beam steering.
Implementation Method 1
a polarization birefringence grating (PBG) interposed between an electromagnetic (EM) source and a first volume hologram
Implementation Method 2
a polarization birefringence grating (PBG) interposed between an electromagnetic (EM) source and a first volume hologram
Implementation Method 3
the PBG is responsive to a polarization of an incident beam from the EM source to selectively steer the incident beam
Implementation Method 4
the first volume hologram is responsive to the first selected angle of the incident beam to increase a steered angle of the incident beam
Implementation Method 5
a continuous steering element structured to further steer the incident beam to a final controllable angle
Data Source
AI summary
An example system for steering an electromagnetic (EM) beam includes a first continuous steering layer configured to steer an incident beam from an EM source to a first selected angle, and incident on a second continuous steering layer, and the second continuous steering layer configured to further steer the incident beam to a target steering angle value.