Communication device, phase modulation spatial light modulating element, and operation control method

A phase-modulation spatial light modulating element for use in a communication device configured to transmit signal light, the phase-modulation spatial light modulating element having a blanking time interval, the phase-modulation spatial light modulating element comprising:

• a first area configured to operate with a first operation pattern during one frame time interval and a second area configured to operate with a second operation pattern during one frame time interval,
• wherein the first operation pattern includes, in a predetermined period within the one frame time interval, a first light transmittable interval during which first signal light can be produced, and a first pause interval during which the first signal light cannot be produced,
• wherein the second operation pattern includes, in the predetermined period, a second light transmittable interval during which second signal light can be produced, and a second pause interval during which the second signal light cannot be produced,
• wherein each of the first light transmittable interval and the second light transmittable interval is longer than a half of the predetermined period,
• wherein the second pause interval is present within the first light transmittable interval whereas the first pause interval is present within the second light transmittable interval whereby the communication device can always transmit the signal light obtained by combining the first signal light with the second signal light without deactivating the phase-modulation spatial light modulating element.

A method of controlling an operation of a phase-modulation spatial light modulator for use in a communication device configured to transmit signal light, the phase-modulation spatial light modulator having a blanking time interval, the operation control method comprising:

• causing, during one frame time interval, the phase-modulation spatial light modulator to operate with a first operation pattern and a second operation pattern,
• wherein the first operation pattern includes, in a predetermined period within the one frame time interval, a first light transmittable interval during which first signal light can be produced, and a first pause interval during which the first signal light cannot be produced,
• wherein the second operation pattern includes, in the predetermined period, a second light transmittable interval during which second signal light can be produced, and a second pause interval during which the second signal light cannot be produced,
• wherein each of the first light transmittable interval and the second light transmittable interval is longer than a half of the predetermined period,
• wherein the second pause interval is present within the first light transmittable interval whereas the first pause interval is present within the second light transmittable interval whereby the communication device can always transmit the signal light obtained by combining the first signal light with the second signal light without deactivating the phase-modulation spatial light modulator.