Telecentric Lens Space Laser Communication System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current long-distance communication systems, particularly in space-based applications, face challenges with energy efficiency, physical size constraints, and the need for accurate beam pointing, often requiring complex and power-intensive pointing, acquisition, and tracking procedures, as well as the use of high-powered lasers that can be hazardous and prone to signal interference.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a telecentric lens and VCSEL lasers, integrated with photodetectors, that can receive and transmit light beams at various angles, enabling efficient data encoding and decoding without moving parts, and using wavelength division multiplexing to achieve high data rates, even with limited energy and space, and maintaining communication reliability across different astronomical objects and orbits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-powered lasers are used for long-distance space communication, then data transmission capability is improved, but energy consumption increases and safety hazards arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the communication system into multiple ground stations distributed across different locations. Each ground station uses lower-power lasers to communicate with satellites, eliminating the need for single high-powered lasers. The segmentation of the communication path reduces energy consumption while maintaining data transmission capability through multiple parallel channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces satellites as intermediary nodes between ground stations. Instead of direct ground-to-ground high-powered laser transmission, the system uses satellites to relay communications, allowing the use of lower-power lasers at each endpoint while achieving long-distance communication through the intermediary satellite nodes.
2Reliability
If complex beam pointing systems are used to maintain accurate laser alignment, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical beam pointing and tracking systems with optical phase conjugation techniques. Instead of using moving mirrors, gimbals, and active tracking mechanisms, the system uses the retro-reflective properties of the atmosphere and satellite surfaces to automatically return laser beams to their source, eliminating mechanical complexity while maintaining alignment reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs self-aligning laser beams that automatically return to their source through atmospheric retro-reflection and satellite corner cube reflectors. The system does not require active pointing or tracking mechanisms because the physics of the situation causes the beams to self-correct and return to the originating ground station automatically.
3Productivity
If single-wavelength lasers are used for communication, then system simplicity is maintained, but data transmission rate is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from single-wavelength communication to multi-wavelength communication by utilizing different laser wavelengths simultaneously. This adds the dimension of wavelength diversity to the communication system, allowing multiple data streams to be transmitted in parallel through wavelength division multiplexing, thereby increasing data transmission rates without proportionally increasing system complexity.
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 solution provides reliable, high-data-rate communication over long distances with reduced energy consumption, eliminates the need for complex beam pointing systems, and uses safer, lower-power laser wavelengths, ensuring continuous data transmission despite orientation changes or system misalignment, thus enhancing communication efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
an optical device configured to receive light beams at a plurality of angles, and to output corresponding light beams upon a focal plane, the position of the light beams upon the plane corresponding to the angle of the beam received
Implementation Method 2
to transmit light beams from the focal plane, and to output the light beams at an angle corresponding to a position of the transmitted light beam upon the focal plane
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of photodetectors positioned upon a focal plane of the lens to detect the received light beams upon the focal plane
Implementation Method 4
a plurality of lasers positioned upon the focal plane to transmit the light beams from the focal plane; individual ones of the plurality of lasers are VCSEL type lasers
Data Source
AI summary
A system for communicating between an object in space and a ground station, between objects in space, or between ground stations, includes a telecentric lens. Photodetectors positioned upon a focal plane of the telecentric lens detect an inbound light beam, received from a source, that has passed through the telecentric lens to the focal plane. Lasers positioned upon the focal plane transmit light beams from the focal plane through the telecentric lens to an area that includes the source of the inbound light beam. A processor detect signals from individual photodetectors corresponding to light detected, and selectively signals individual lasers that are close to those photodetectors, resulting in a returning beam that arrives close to the source, and which carries encoded data.