Underwater Optical Phased Array Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Underwater wireless optical communication systems face challenges due to misalignment caused by interference factors such as absorption, scattering, and turbulence, which affect communication quality and reduce transmission rate and distance.
Innovation Solution
An underwater wireless optical communication system with a beam emitting module and an optical phased array for beam steering at the emitting end, and a tracking module with a light direction sensor and electric motor for self-alignment at the receiving end, utilizing a laser diode, optical phased array with a grating antenna, and Non-Return-to-Zero On-OFF Keying modulation to achieve accurate beam alignment and high information transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If underwater wireless optical communication is used to achieve high bandwidth and long transmission distance, then transmission rate and propagation distance are improved, but misalignment occurs due to absorption, scattering, turbulence, and bubbles, degrading communication quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the receiving end detects the actual position of the communication beam after transmission through water, and sends alignment correction information back to the emitting end. The emitting end then adjusts the beam direction based on this feedback to compensate for misalignment caused by absorption, scattering, turbulence, and bubbles, thereby maintaining high communication quality over long distances
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical beam steering mechanisms with an optical phased array that uses phase modulation to control beam direction. This allows for precise, rapid, and vibration-free beam pointing adjustments, which is critical for maintaining alignment in the turbulent underwater environment while achieving high transmission rates
2Reliability
If beam steering is implemented at the emitting end to correct misalignment, then communication quality is improved, but device complexity increases due to the optical phased array
Solution Approach 1:
The optical phased array is designed to perform multiple functions: it not only steers the communication beam in different directions but also provides beam focusing and can detect beam position through its phase modulation capabilities. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate alignment and steering mechanisms, thereby managing device complexity while improving alignment accuracy
3Reliability
If tracking and self-alignment are implemented at the receiving end, then misalignment effects are reduced, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving end is equipped with a tracking module that autonomously detects the position of the incoming communication beam and automatically generates alignment correction information. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual alignment adjustments and reduces the complexity of the overall system by making the alignment process automatic and integrated into the receiving end's normal operation
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 ensures reliable alignment, increases information transmission rate, and enhances communication quality by dynamically adjusting the emission direction and aligning the communication beam, resulting in a robust and high-rate underwater wireless optical communication link.
Implementation Method 1
the optical phased array is configured to adjust an emission direction of the communication beam
Implementation Method 2
a light source for the beam emitting module is a laser diode
Implementation Method 3
a first photodiode and a second photodiode that are the same in dimension and symmetrically arranged on two sides of the metal wall, where the first photodiode and the second photodiode are configured to generate the light sensing signals
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an underwater wireless optical communication system. The system includes an emitting end and a receiving end; where the emitting end includes a beam emitting module and an optical phased array, where the beam emitting module is configured to emit a communication beam obtained by modulating communication information, and the optical phased array is configured to adjust an emission direction of the communication beam; and the receiving end includes a tracking module and an information demodulation module, where the tracking module is configured to receive a target communication beam emitted after adjustment by the optical phased array and align the target communication beam, and the information demodulation module is configured to demodulate the received target communication beam to obtain the communication information.