US 8,014,682 B2 · Free-space optical communication system

Abstract

A free-space communication system and method of operation includes a first communication device physically coupled to a substrate and having an optical transmitter for communicating information. A second communication device is physically coupled to the substrate and has an optical receiver for communicating information. An adjustable optical beam deflector is physically coupled to the substrate for optically coupling the first communication device and the second communication device via an optical beam including a free-space optical portion. A feedback system includes a non-optical communication link for receiving information regarding the optical beam. The feedback system controls the adjustable optical beam deflector to direct the optical beam to improve the quality of an optical link incorporating the optical beam. At least one sensor is physically coupled to the substrate for monitoring one or more environmental conditions and providing information of the one or more environmental conditions to the feedback system.

Drawings

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Drawings

Claims18

Dependent claims

A system comprising:

a first communication device physically coupled to a substrate and including an optical transmitter for communicating information;
a second communication device physically coupled to the substrate and including an optical receiver for communicating information;
an adjustable optical beam deflector physically coupled to the substrate for optically coupling the first communication device and the second communication device via an optical beam including a free-space optical beam portion;
and
a feedback system including a non-optical communication link for receiving feedback information regarding the optical beam, the feedback system controlling the adjustable optical beam deflector to direct the optical beam in response to the feedback information;
wherein the adjustable optical beam deflector further comprises:
a first portion that is transmissive to an optical beam and controllable to direct an optical beam in response to a control signal controlled by the feedback system;
and
a second portion including a reflective surface that reflects an optical beam, the reflective surface being controllable by the feedback system for directing the optical beam;
wherein the first portion and the second portion are positioned such that an optical beam used for communication passes through the first portion that is transmissive to the second portion and is reflected by the reflective surface back through the first portion that is transmissive.

7 more elements

A system comprising:

a first communication device physically coupled to a substrate and including an optical transmitter for communicating information;
a second communication device physically coupled to the substrate and including an optical receiver for communicating information;
an adjustable optical beam deflector physically coupled to the substrate for optically coupling the first communication device and the second communication device via an optical beam including a free-space optical beam portion;
and
a feedback system including a non-optical communication link for receiving feedback information regarding the optical beam, the feedback system controlling the adjustable optical beam deflector to direct the optical beam in response to the feedback information;
a temperature sensor communicatively coupled to the feedback system, the temperature sensor monitoring a temperature and providing information to the feedback system for use in controlling the adjustable optical beam deflector to direct the optical beam,
wherein the adjustable optical beam deflector further comprises:
a first portion that is transmissive to an optical beam and is controlled to direct an optical beam in response to a control signal;
and
a second portion having a reflective surface for reflecting an optical beam the reflective surface being controllable by the feedback system for directing the optical beam;
wherein the first portion and the second portion are positioned such that an optical beam used for communication passes through the first portion that is transmissive to the second portion and is reflected by the reflective surface back through the first portion that is transmissive.

8 more elements

A method comprising:

communicating information from a first communication device physically coupled to a substrate to a second communication device physically coupled to the substrate by using an optical beam, the optical beam including a free-space optical beam portion, the optical beam being deflected by an adjustable optical beam deflector physically coupled to the substrate;
providing by the second communication device via a non-optical communication link, one or more quality metrics regarding a reception of the optical beam;
and
controlling the adjustable optical beam deflector to direct the optical beam in response to the one or more quality metrics;
using an adjustable optical beam deflector that comprises at least two portions, a first portion being transmissive and a second portion being reflective;
for the first portion of the adjustable optical beam deflector that is transmissive, electrically biasing a layer of liquid crystal material to adjust a direction of transmission of the free-space optical beam portion;
and
for the second portion of the adjustable optical beam deflector that is reflective, changing a position of a micro-electro mechanical system (MEMS) controlled mirrored surface to adjust a direction of the free-space optical beam portion;
wherein the optical beam passes through the layer of liquid crystal material, reflects off of the mirrored surface, and passes back through the layer of liquid crystal material.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description5,457 words

Summary381 words

#1. Field of the Invention

#This invention relates in general to information systems and more specifically to a free-space optical system in an information system.

#2. Description of the Related Art

Brief description of the drawings7 figures

#The present invention may be better understood, and its numerous objects, features, and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings.

#FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a free-space optical communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention,

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of an information system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description4,908 words

#The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings indicates identical items unless otherwise noted. The Figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

#The following sets forth a detailed description of a mode for carrying out the invention. The description is intended to be illustrative of the invention and should not be taken to be limiting.

#FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a free-space optical communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention. System 101 includes an adjustable beam deflector unit (ABDU) 112 for adjusting a deflection of an optical beam of a free-space optical communication system. The adjustments to the ABDU are made by a feedback system using information provided over a non optical communication link. Accordingly, if system 101 is subjected to an excessive vibration or temperature variation or if the components of the free-space optical system become misaligned for other reasons, system 101 may readjust the defection of the optical beam to correct for any misalignment due to these reasons.

Facts

Application

12/105,423Filed 18 Apr 2008

Published

US 2009/0263138 A122 Oct 2009

Granted

6 Sep 2011

Term ends

10 Apr 2030

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 722 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification2 codes

H04B 10/803
Using optical interconnects, e.g. light coupled isolators, circuit board interconnections: free space interconnects, e.g. between circuit boards…
H04B
Transmission

Timeline

18 Apr 2008Application filedUS 12/105,423
22 Apr 2008Assigned to Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.assignment of assignor's interest
24 Sep 2008Assigned to Citibank, N.A.security agreement
22 Oct 2009PublishedUS 2009/0263138 A1
15 Mar 2010Assigned to Citibank, N.A.security agreement
13 May 2010Assigned to Citibank, N.A., AS Collateral Agentsecurity agreement
6 Sep 2011GrantedUS 8,014,682 B2
18 Jun 2013Assigned to Citibank, N.A., AS Notes Collateral Agentsecurity agreement
6 Nov 2013Assigned to Citibank, N.A., AS Notes Collateral Agentsecurity agreement
21 Dec 2015Assigned to Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.patent release
21 Dec 2015Assigned to Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.patent release
21 Dec 2015Assigned to Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.patent release
12 Jan 2016Assigned to Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc.assignment and assumption of security interest in patents
13 Jan 2016Assigned to Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc.assignment and assumption of security interest in patents
16 Jun 2016Assigned to Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc.supplement to the security agreement
21 Sep 2016Assigned to NXP, B.V., F/K/A Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.release of security interest
7 Nov 2016Assigned to NXP B.V.release of security interest
8 Nov 2016Assigned to NXP USA, Inc.change of name
1 Feb 2017Assigned to Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc.corrective assignment to correct the remove patents 8108266 and 8062324 and replace them with 6108266 and 8060324 previously recorded on reel 037518 frame 0292. assignor(s) hereby confirms the assignment and assumption of security interest in patents.
21 Sep 2017Assigned to NXP USA, Inc.corrective assignment to correct the nature of conveyance previously recorded at reel: 040632 frame: 0001. assignor(s) hereby confirms the merger and change of name.
20 Feb 2019Assigned to Shenzhen Xinguodu Technology Co., Ltd.corrective assignment to correct the to correct the application no. from 13,883,290 to 13,833,290 previously recorded on reel 041703 frame 0536. assignor(s) hereby confirms the the assignment and assumption of security interest in patents..
10 Sep 2019Assigned to NXP B.V.release of security interest
10 Dec 2019Assigned to Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc.corrective assignment to correct the remove application 11759915 and replace it with application 11759935 previously recorded on reel 037486 frame 0517. assignor(s) hereby confirms the assignment and assumption of security interest in patents.
17 Jan 2020Assigned to NXP B.V.corrective assignment to correct the remove application 11759915 and replace it with application 11759935 previously recorded on reel 040928 frame 0001. assignor(s) hereby confirms the release of security interest.
17 Feb 2020Assigned to NXP, B.V. F/K/A Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.corrective assignment to correct the remove application 11759915 and replace it with application 11759935 previously recorded on reel 040925 frame 0001. assignor(s) hereby confirms the release of security interest.
12 Oct 2026TodayWithin its term
10 Apr 2030Term endsEstimated, includes 722 days of adjustment

Free-space optical communication system

Life of this patent

Free-space optical communication system

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims18

Description5,457 words

Drawings

Classification2 codes

Life of this patent

Description5,457 words