Underwater Laser Communications Selectable Beam Shapes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Underwater optical communication systems face challenges in maintaining reliable data transmission due to absorption and scattering in degraded water environments, limiting their performance and range, especially when switching between acoustic and optical carriers.
Innovation Solution
An underwater communication system that employs a first and second device with laser transmitters and receivers capable of generating and receiving laser beams with selectable spatiotemporal beam shapes, such as Gaussian and Bessel-Gaussian, to optimize signal-to-noise ratio and data rate based on the range between devices, using controllers to select beam shapes and parameters like spatial beam size and temporal width for improved link performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If optical carrier is used for high data rate communication, then data capacity increases, but communication range is limited due to absorption and scattering in degraded water environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the beam shape selectable and adaptable rather than fixed. The system can dynamically switch between different beam shapes (Gaussian, Bessel-Gaussian, Airy) based on real-time link conditions, allowing optimization of both data rate and range as environmental conditions change.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters by using different beam shapes with distinct propagation characteristics. Each beam shape has different diffraction properties, focusing capabilities, and resistance to scattering, allowing the system to adjust its interaction with the water medium to extend communication range while maintaining high data rates.
2Device complexity
If beam shape is fixed to simplify system design, then device complexity decreases, but adaptability to varying underwater link conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing a single optical transmitter capable of generating multiple beam shapes (Gaussian, Bessel-Gaussian, Airy) through selectable configurations. This multi-functional approach allows one device to adapt to various underwater conditions without requiring separate specialized transmitters for each scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic selection of beam shapes based on real-time assessment of link conditions, including water turbidity, distance, and current state. This adaptability allows the system to optimize performance across diverse environments while maintaining a unified device architecture.
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 a 3-7 dB improvement in signal-to-noise ratio and continuous operation over a wider range, extending communication distances and maintaining performance in varying underwater conditions, compared to state-of-the-art systems.
Implementation Method 1
a first laser transmitter configured to generate a first laser beam having a selectable spatiotemporal beam shape from among a plurality of spatiotemporal beam shapes
Implementation Method 2
Absorption and scattering are two crucial factors that affect the propagation of optical waves in underwater environments
Implementation Method 3
Absorption and scattering are two crucial factors that affect the propagation of optical waves in underwater environments
Implementation Method 4
a second laser receiver configured to receive the first laser beam
Data Source
AI summary
An underwater communications system may include a first device and a second device being movable relative to one another. The first device may include a first laser transmitter configured to generate a first laser beam having a selectable spatiotemporal beam shape from among a plurality thereof, and a first controller coupled to the first laser transmitter and configured to select a spatiotemporal beam shape for the first laser beam from among the spatiotemporal beam shapes. The second device may include a second laser receiver configured to receive the first laser beam, and a second controller coupled to the second laser receiver.