Lenslet/detector array assembly for high data rate optical communications
First Claim
1. An optical device for converting optical energy extending over a two-dimensional spot into electrical energy, the optical device comprising:
- a focal plane assembly, wherein the focal plane assembly comprises a lenslet array including a plurality of adjacently-positioned lenslet elements;
a photodetector array having a plurality of photodetectors each positioned to collect at least a portion of the optical energy from the focal plane assembly;
a transimpedance amplifier assembly; and
a summing amplifier assembly coupled to the transimpedance amplifier assembly to produce a summed electrical signal representative of the optical energy over the two-dimensional spot.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An assembly is provided that may be used in high data rate optical communications, such as free-space communication systems. The assembly may include a main optical receiver element and a lenslet array or other optical element disposed near the focal plane that collects an optical signal and focuses that signal as a series of optical signal portions onto a photodetector array, formed of a series of InGaAs photodiodes, for example. The electrical signals from the photodetectors may be amplified using high bandwidth transimpedance amplifiers connected to a summing amplifier or circuit that produces a summed electrical signal. Alternatively, the electrical signals may be summed initially and then amplified via a transimpedance amplifier. The assembly may be used in remote optical communication systems, including free-space laser communication environments, to convert optical signals up to or above 1 Gbit/s or higher data rates into electrical signals at 1 Gbit/s or higher data rates.
80 Citations
25 Claims
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1. An optical device for converting optical energy extending over a two-dimensional spot into electrical energy, the optical device comprising:
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a focal plane assembly, wherein the focal plane assembly comprises a lenslet array including a plurality of adjacently-positioned lenslet elements; a photodetector array having a plurality of photodetectors each positioned to collect at least a portion of the optical energy from the focal plane assembly; a transimpedance amplifier assembly; and a summing amplifier assembly coupled to the transimpedance amplifier assembly to produce a summed electrical signal representative of the optical energy over the two-dimensional spot. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of converting a high-data rate optical signal extending over a two-dimensional spot into a high-data rate electrical signal, the method comprising:
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forming an lenslet array including a plurality of lenslets for collecting the optical signal; forming a photodetector array including a plurality of photodiodes, wherein the plurality of photodiodes are respectively associated with the plurality of lenslets; focusing the optical signal onto the photodetector array; converting the optical signal into a plurality of electrical signals; disposing a transimpedance amplifier assembly to amplify each of the plurality of electrical signals; and summing each of the amplified electrical signals, to produce a summed electrical signal representative of the optical signal over the two-dimensional spot. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An optical device for converting optical energy extending over a two-dimensional spot into electrical energy, the optical device comprising:
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a focal plane assembly; a photodetector array having a plurality of photodetectors each positioned to collect at least a portion of the optical energy from the focal plane assembly; a transimpedance amplifier assembly; and a summing amplifier assembly coupled to the transimpedance amplifier assembly to produce a summed electrical signal representative of the optical energy over the two-dimensional spot, wherein the transimpedance amplifier assembly and the summing amplifier assembly have a bandwidth large enough to convert optical energy having a data rate above approximately 1 Gbit/s.
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25. An optical device for converting optical energy extending over a two-dimensional spot into electrical energy, the optical device comprising:
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a focal plane assembly; a photodetector array having a plurality of photodetectors each positioned to collect at least a portion of the optical energy from the focal plane assembly; a transimpedance amplifier assembly; and a summing amplifier assembly coupled to the transimpedance amplifier assembly to produce a summed electrical signal representative of the optical energy over the two-dimensional spot, wherein the transimpedance amplifier assembly and the summing amplifier assembly have a bandwidth large enough to convert optical energy having a data rate above approximately 10 Gbit/s.
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Specification