Method of controlling a dynamic gain controller
First Claim
1. In a system having an array of pixelated elements for controlling incident light thereon, and having a processor for processing control information related to response transmission characteristics of the array of pixelated elements, a method of controlling characteristics of the array of pixelated elements in response to input data comprising the steps of:
- (a) acquiring calibration information related to the response characteristics of the array of pixelated elements;
(b) acquiring a target response function for the array of pixelated elements;
(c) converting the target response function into a set of pixel amplitude field linear equations; and
(d) determining a set of input data values for controlling the array of pixelated elements based on the calibration information and the pixel amplitude field linear equations.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of controlling a response function of a pixelated dynamic gain controller involving structuring the problem as a set of linear equations that are used to efficiently and accurately determine an initial set of pixel settings and further can be iterated to determine optimum pixel settings for a desired response function. In particular, the gain controller is comprised of an array of individually controllable pixels such as an array of liquid crystals. Adjusting drive conditions to each pixel controls the relative transmission of a narrow band of wavelengths through each pixel. The target response function is achieved by structuring the control conditions as a set of linear equations with which it is possible to accurately determine an initial set of pixel settings. The settings can be iterated to determine an optimum setting for a desired response function or change in response function. Additionally, compensating pixels at the edges of the array are used to compensate for edge effects.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. In a system having an array of pixelated elements for controlling incident light thereon, and having a processor for processing control information related to response transmission characteristics of the array of pixelated elements, a method of controlling characteristics of the array of pixelated elements in response to input data comprising the steps of:
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(a) acquiring calibration information related to the response characteristics of the array of pixelated elements;
(b) acquiring a target response function for the array of pixelated elements;
(c) converting the target response function into a set of pixel amplitude field linear equations; and
(d) determining a set of input data values for controlling the array of pixelated elements based on the calibration information and the pixel amplitude field linear equations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
tj represents a set of pixel amplitude field reflectivities or transmissions, Mj,i represents a matrix element at wavelength j to the setting of pixel i that is independent of the wavelength and depends on the position of pixel i relative to the pixel where wavelength j is centered;
W is the e−
2 intensity full width of a monochromatic input signal, at a pixel plane, measured in units of pixel pitch;
ri represents the set of input data values of desired pixel amplitude field reflectivities or transmissions and gap represents a gap width between pixels in the array measured in units of pixel pitch.
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9. A method of controlling the optical characteristics of individual pixelated elements in a dynamic gain equalizer having an array of controllable pixelated elements, and having a processor for processing control information related to a response function of the dynamic gain equalizer, said method comprising the steps of:
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acquiring a predetermined target response function for the array of pixelated elements from a system controller;
calculating initial attenuation settings for individual pixels of the array of pixelated elements based on stored data;
calculating spectral attenuation that would result from the initial attenuation settings for individual pixels and determining deviations between the initial settings and settings to satisfy said target response;
calculating input data for use by said processor to control said individual pixels if said deviations are within set limits; and
sending said input data to said processor. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
tj represents a set of pixel amplitude field reflectivities or transmissions, Mj,i represents a matrix element at wavelength j to the setting of pixel i that is independent of the wavelength and depends on the position of pixel i relative to the pixel where wavelength j is centered;
W is the e−
2 intensity full width of a monochromatic input signal, at a pixel plane, measured in units of pixel pitch;
ri represents the set of input data values of desired pixel amplitude field reflectivities or transmissions and gap represents a gap width between pixels in the array measured in units of pixel pitch.
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13. A computer program product for a system having an array of pixelated elements for controlling incident light thereon, and having a processor for processing control information related to response transmission characteristics of the array of pixelated elements, the computer program product comprising computer readable program code devices for controlling characteristics of the array of pixelated elements in response to input data comprising:
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(a) acquiring calibration information related to the response characteristics of the array of pixelated elements;
(b) acquiring a target response function for the array of pixelated elements;
(c) converting the target response function into a set of pixel amplitude field linear equations; and
(d) determining a set of input data values for controlling the array of pixelated elements based on the calibration information and the pixel amplitude field linear equations. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
where tj represents a set of pixel amplitude field reflectivities or transmissions, Mj,i represents a matrix element at wavelength j to the setting of pixel i that is independent of the wavelength and depends on the position of pixel i relative to the pixel where wavelength j is centered;
W is the e−
2 intensity full width of a monochromatic input signal, at a pixel plane, measured in units of pixel pitch;
ri represents the set of input data values of desired pixel amplitude field reflectivities or transmissions and gap represents a gap width between pixels in the array measured in units of pixel pitch.
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17. A computer program product for controlling the optical characteristics of individual pixelated elements in a dynamic gain equalizer having an array of controllable pixelated elements, and having a processor for processing control information related to a response function of the dynamic gain equalizer, the computer program product comprising computer readable program code devices for:
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acquiring a predetermined target response function for the array of pixelated elements from a system controller;
calculating initial attenuation settings for individual pixels of the array of pixelated elements based on stored data;
calculating spectral attenuation that would result from the initial attenuation settings for individual pixels and determining deviations between the initial settings and settings to satisfy said target response;
calculating input data for use by said processor to control said individual pixels if said deviations are within set limits; and
sending said input data to said processor. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
tj represents a set of pixel amplitude field reflectivities or transmissions, Mj,i represents a matrix element at wavelength j to the setting of pixel i that is independent of the wavelength and depends on the position of pixel i relative to the pixel where wavelength j is centered;
W is the e−
2 intensity full width of a monochromatic input signal, at a pixel plane, measured in units of pixel pitch;
ri represents the set of input data values of desired pixel amplitude field reflectivities or transmissions and gap represents a gap width between pixels in the array measured in units of pixel pitch.
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Specification