Method and apparatus for device linearization

• US 6,674,563 B2
• Filed: 05/14/2001
• Issued: 01/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NeoPhotonics Corporation (Lumentum Holdings Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Lightconnect, Inc. (Lumentum Holdings Inc.)
• Inventors: Chui, Benjamin Wai-ho, Stowe, Timothy, Godil, Asif A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Epps, Georgia
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHOI, WILLIAM C
• Application Number:
  US09/855,873
• Publication Number:
  US 20020015216A1
• Time in Patent Office: 967 Days
• Field of Search: 359/291, 359/292, 359/290, 359/298, 359/295, 359/569, 359/566, 348/217, 363/21, 324/142, 346/57
• US Class Current: 359/291
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/0808 by means of one or more diffracting elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/1828 having means for producing variable diffraction controlling the direction of light by means of one or more diffracting elements G02B26/0808; acousto-optical elements G02F1/11, G02F1/33; electro- or magneto-optical diffraction G02F1/292, G02F1/2955
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/266 the optical element being an attenuator
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3512 the optical element being reflective, e.g. mirror
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3564 Mechanical details of the actuation mechanism associated with the moving element or mounting mechanism details
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/357 Electrostatic force electrostatic forces controlling reflecting elements in general G02B26/0841
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3594 Characterised by additional functional means, e.g. means for variably attenuating or branching or means for switching differently polarized beams
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/005 Optical components external to the laser cavity, specially adapted therefor, e.g. for homogenisation or merging of the beams or for manipulating laser pulses, e.g. pulse shaping H01S5/026, H01S5/18388 take precedence

Abstract

Various embodiments are disclosed of apparatuses and methods for linearization. A linearized signal can control, for example, a microelectromechanical device, a microelectromechanical device, and/or a device controlling a modulated intensity of electromagnetic energy. Some embodiments include linearization functions such as a logarithm or x/(a+x).

Claims

1. Apparatus for linearization of an output signal comprising:

a first input node adapted to receive an input signal for providing electrostatic control of a micromechanical device, the micromechanical device having a nonlinear response to increasing input signals;

a correction signal according to the formula x/(a+x), wherein x is a variable and a is a constant; and

an output node for providing an output signal responsive to a combination of the input signal and the correction signal, the output signal providing linearized electrostatic control of the micromechanical device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the correction signal is provided by a voltage divider.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the correction signal is generated by an entry in a lookup table.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the output node is at the same voltage as the first input node.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the output node is at a different voltage than the first input node.