Stealth Satellite Laser Transmission via Automatic Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current free-field optical communication methods require precise positioning and dual laser units for high-power and high-frequency modulation, making them costly and vulnerable to interception, especially in military applications where revealing the receiver's position is undesirable.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a laser beam that automatically scans a geographical area with a matrix image sensor receiver, allowing data transmission without prior positioning and using a single laser unit, enabling stealth communication by encoding data as an intensity modulation sequence and detecting it with a matrix image sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If homing and acquisition procedures are used to orient the laser beam precisely to the receiver, then the data transmission rate and radiation power are improved, but the receiver's position must be known beforehand which reveals its location and allows interception by adversaries
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of the conventional approach where the transmitter actively orients its beam to the receiver using homing procedures, the invention inverts the approach: the transmitter performs automatic scanning of the entire geographical area without needing to know the receiver's position, and the receiver passively detects the beam during its passage. This inversion eliminates the need for position information while maintaining transmission effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces dynamic scanning of the laser beam across the geographical area, replacing the static oriented beam approach. The beam continuously moves through different directions to cover the entire area, allowing the receiver to be illuminated during its passage without requiring pre-established positional knowledge or active orientation procedures.
2Productivity
If dual laser units are used (one for high power homing and one for high frequency modulation), then the transmission rate and power requirements are met, but the cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes a single laser unit perform multiple functions: it simultaneously provides sufficient radiation power for detection and carries the intensity modulation sequence for data transmission. The automatic scanning mechanism enables this single unit to cover the entire geographical area without requiring separate homing and data transmission lasers.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functions of the high-power homing laser and the high-frequency modulation laser into a single laser unit. By combining these functions and using automatic scanning with repeated intensity modulation sequences, the system eliminates the need for separate laser units while maintaining both power and data transmission capabilities.
3Productivity
If dual optical sensors are used (one for homing/acquisition and one for data detection), then the receiver can perform both positioning and high-rate data reception, but the cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The matrix image sensor performs multiple functions simultaneously: it detects the spatial position of the laser beam during automatic scanning and also detects the intensity modulation sequence for data recovery. This single sensor replaces the need for separate homing sensors and data detection sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functions of the matrix-type sensor (used for homing and acquisition) and the single-element photosensitive sensor (used for data detection) into a single matrix image sensor. This unified sensor captures both the spatial information needed for tracking the scanning beam and the intensity modulation information needed for data recovery.
4Power
If a small divergence laser beam is used to maintain sufficient radiation power at the receiver, then the transmission power is improved, but precise homing and acquisition procedures are required which reveal the receiver's position
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses dynamic automatic scanning to replace static precise orientation. The laser beam systematically covers the entire geographical area through controlled movement, eliminating the need for complex homing and acquisition procedures while maintaining sufficient radiation power through repeated passes and intensity modulation.
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 method allows secure, high-data-rate transmission without revealing the receiver's position, reducing costs and complexity by eliminating the need for homing and acquisition procedures and using existing laser units, while maintaining compatibility with existing technology.
Implementation Method 1
The communication by intensity modulation of a laser beam which propagates in free field, also called optical communication in free field
Implementation Method 2
a laser beam which propagates in free field
Implementation Method 3
a second single or few element sensor photosensitive, for example of the photodiodes type, which is used to detect the intensity modulation of the radiation received
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for stealth transmission from a satellite (2) or an aircraft intended for a receiver (10) that is located in a geographical zone (Z) remote from the satellite or aircraft, comprises repeatedly transmitting data while the geographical zone is automatically scanned with a laser beam. The transmission method is of the free-field optical communication type and can be implemented with a receiver with a simplified design.