Extended source transmitter for free space optical communication systems
AssigneePertex Telecommunication LLC
InventorsRobert M. Pierce, John A. Bell, Carrie Jean Sjaarda, David Rush
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for transmission of free space optical communication system signals employing a spatially-extended light source and method of using the same. A laser beam source directs an optical signal into a free end of a segment of multimode fiber. As the optical signal passes through the segment of multimode fiber, the optical signal is converted into a mode-scrambled optical signal. This mode-scrambled signal may then be used as a spatially-extended light source that is directed outward as an optical beam through the use of a collimating lens.
Claims18
A free-space optical communication system (FSOCS) transmitter An apparatus, comprising:
- a spatially-extended light source including comprising:
- a laser;
- and
- to generate a mode-scrambled optical signal, the spatially extended light source further including a segment of multimode fiber having a first end positioned to receive a laser optical signal produced by the laser and a second end from which a mode-scrambled optical signal is emitted and, wherein a portion of the segment of multimode fiber is configured in a series of alternating loops;
- a power controller, operatively coupled to drive the laserand
- output optics, optically coupled configured to receive the mode-scrambled optical signal from the spatially-extended light source and direct the mode-scrambled optical signal outward from the FSOCS transmitter apparatus as an optical beam having a controlled divergence;
- wherein the multimode fiber comprises two or more separate pieces of multimode fiber segments that are joined together to be a continuous single strand.
A method for generating a free space optical communication system (FSOCS) spatially-extended light signal, comprising:
- producing a mode-scrambled modulated optical signal with a spatially-extended light source by:
- operatively coupling a segment of multimode fiber configured in a series of alternating loops;
- and
- directing an optical signal a laser beam produced by a laser to the a first end of the segment of a multimode fiber to generate a launched optical signal that is received by the first segment of multimode fiber;, wherein the multimode fiber is configured in a series of alternating loops,
- wherein, as the launched optical signal laser beam passes through the segment of multimode fiber, it is converted into a the spatially-extended light signal that is mode-scrambled optical signal that serves as a spatially extended light source;
- passing the modulated optical signal through a collimating lens to output an optical beam comprising the FSOCS signal;
- wherein the multimode fiber comprises two or more separate pieces of multimode fiber segments that are joined together to be a continuous single strand.
A free-space optical communication system (FSOCS) transmitter An extended light source, comprising:
- means for generating a spatially-scrambled optical signal that functions as an extended light source, wherein the means for generating a spatially-scrambled optical signal comprises an optical fiber segment configured in a series of alternating loops and configured to generate a spatially-scrambled optical signal from a laser beam;
- and
- focusing means, positioned to receive the spatially-scrambled optical signal that is generated and to direct the spatially-scrambled optical signal outward from the FSOCS transmitter as a spatially-scrambled optical beam;
- wherein the optical fiber comprises two or more separate pieces of multimode fiber segments that are joined together to be a continuous single strand.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.