On-Chip Multi-Node Visible Light Receiver Chip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical communication methods without fibers or cables face inefficiencies in wide angle transmissions due to reduced energy flux and increased background noise, limiting high data rates over long distances, especially in mobile scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A receiver chip with an array of photodetectors and a logical layer that independently configures each cell as a communication channel, concentrating light onto the photodetectors to reduce background noise and enable mobile, multi-node visible light communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wide angle transmission is used to enable receiving over large angular area, then ease of operation is improved, but signal to noise ratio deteriorates due to reduced energy flux and increased background noise
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver is divided into multiple receiver cells arranged in an array, where each cell independently receives light from a specific angular direction. This segmentation allows the system to maintain wide angle reception capability while each individual cell operates with narrow angle characteristics, preserving signal-to-noise ratio.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-point receiver to a two-dimensional array of receiver cells. By adding the spatial dimension of multiple cells arranged in an array, the system achieves wide angle reception through the collective coverage of all cells while each cell maintains narrow angle detection properties.
2Reliability
If narrow angle transmission is used to improve signal to noise ratio, then signal to noise ratio is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to requirement of accurate detection and aiming
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver array segments the narrow angle reception function across multiple cells, each responsible for a specific angular sector. This eliminates the need for accurate aiming by the transmitter, as the array collectively covers the required angular range while maintaining high signal-to-noise ratio in each cell's narrow reception beam.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver array provides universal coverage across multiple angular directions simultaneously. Each cell is specialized for narrow angle reception, but the collective array achieves wide angle coverage, making the system adaptable to transmitters at various positions without requiring precise aiming.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple transmitters and receivers are used to provide operational freedom, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using multiple separate transmitter and receiver devices, the patent segments a single receiver into multiple receiver cells. This segmentation provides multi-node communication capability within a single device, maintaining adaptability while reducing overall system complexity compared to using multiple independent devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple narrow-angle receiver cells into a single integrated receiver array. This merging achieves the functionality of multiple receivers while reducing device complexity by consolidating them into one unit with shared support infrastructure.
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 solution supports mobile communication with multiple independent channels, reduces background noise, and maintains high data rates by concentrating light onto photodetectors, allowing for efficient communication over a wide field of view while adapting to spatial shifts and transmitter movements.
Implementation Method 1
an array of receiver cells including an array of photodetectors, each receiver cell includes at least one photodetector and is to receive light through said at least one photodetector
Data Source
AI summary
A receiver chip, system and method for on-chip multi-node visible light communication, the receiver chip comprising: an array of receiver cells comprising an array of photodetectors, each receiver cell comprises at least one photodetector and is to receive light through the at least one photodetector, and a logical layer for independently configuring at least one selected receiver cell as a communication receiving channel. The system comprises an array of receiver cells comprising an array of photodetectors, each receiver cell includes at least one photodetector and is to receive light through the at least one photodetector, a logical layer to independently configure at least one selected receiver cell as a communication receiving channel, and a processor to receive data from the logical layer and control the logical layer for configuration of the receiver cells.