Apparatus and method for tracking in free-space optical communication systems
First Claim
1. A method for use in free-space optical communication, comprising the steps of:
- receiving a received narrow optical beam;
determining an angle at which the optical beam is received;
shifting an alignment such that the alignment minimizes the angle wherein the alignment is shifted before the received optical beam leaves a field of view; and
directing a narrow transmit optical beam along the alignment.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for tracking alignment between transceivers for free-space optical communication. The method comprises the steps of receiving a received narrow optical beam, determining an angle at which the optical beam is received, quickly shifting an alignment such that the alignment minimizes the angle, and directing a narrow transmit optical beam along the alignment. The method further shifting the alignment through at least a portion of a search pattern searching for the receive beam. The apparatus provides free-space optical communication, comprises an optical beam detector configured to receive a received narrow tracking beam, an optical beam source configured to generate a narrow transmit tracking beam, and a controller configured to determine an angle of reception of the receive beam and to control a direction of transmission of the transmit beam such that the angle is minimized.
109 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for use in free-space optical communication, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a received narrow optical beam;
determining an angle at which the optical beam is received;
shifting an alignment such that the alignment minimizes the angle wherein the alignment is shifted before the received optical beam leaves a field of view; and
directing a narrow transmit optical beam along the alignment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for use in optically communicating over free-space, comprising the steps of:
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detecting a received narrow free-space optical beam;
determining a direction from which the received optical beam is received;
adjusting a direction of alignment to correspond with the direction from which the received optical beam is received; and
transmitting a narrow transmit free-space optical beam along the direction of alignment. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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15. An apparatus for use in providing free-space optical communication, comprising:
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an optical beam detector configured to receive a received narrow tracking beam;
an optical beam source configured to generate a narrow transmit tracking beam; and
a controller coupled with the beam detector, wherein the controller is configured to determine an angle of reception of the received beam and to control a direction of transmission of the transmit beam such that the angle is minimized.
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Specification