Method and apparatus for providing communication using a terahertz link

• US 9,246,584 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2014
• Issued: 01/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Britz, David Michael, Miller, Robert Raymond
• Primary Examiner(s): SINGH, DALZID E
• Application Number:
  US14/188,362
• Publication Number:
  US 20140169799A1
• Time in Patent Office: 701 Days
• Field of Search: 398/118, 398/119, 398/128, 398/130
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/1121 One-way transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/25 Arrangements specific to fibre transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/90 Non-optical transmission systems, e.g. transmission systems employing non-photonic corpuscular radiation

Abstract

A method and apparatus for establishing a terahertz link using a multi-element lens array that comprises a liquid lens are disclosed. For example, the method receives detected terahertz signals from one or more detectors, where a liquid lens is deployed with each of the one or more detectors. The method determines, for each of the detected signals, if the detected signal is out of focus, and applies a corrective voltage to each liquid lens that corresponds to a detected terahertz signal that is out of focus, wherein the corrective voltage adjusts a focus of the detected signal. The method measures a signal-to-noise ratio of the detected signals, and establishing a terahertz link via at least one of the detected terahertz signals with a highest signal-to-noise ratio.

Claims

1. A method for establishing a terahertz link, the method comprising:

receiving, by a processor, a plurality of terahertz signals from a plurality of detectors, where a liquid lens is deployed with each of the plurality of detectors;

applying, by the processor, an adjustment to a corresponding liquid lens that corresponds to a corresponding terahertz signal of the plurality of terahertz signals that is out of focus, wherein the adjustment adjusts a focus of the corresponding terahertz signal;

measuring, by the processor, a signal-to-noise ratio of each of the plurality of terahertz signals; and

establishing, by the processor, the terahertz link via one of the plurality of terahertz signals based on the signal-to-noise ratio of each of the plurality of terahertz signals.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving the plurality of terahertz signals is performed via a cluster of the plurality of detectors having a combined field of view that is hemispherical.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein each respective liquid lens is deployed between a respective detector of the plurality of detectors and a primary lens.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the primary lens comprises a second liquid lens.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the applying of the adjustment adjusts a shape of an interface of the corresponding liquid lens.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of terahertz signals is transmitted by a transmitter, with each of the plurality of terahertz signals being aimed outward from a center of a spherical structure.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of terahertz signals is received by a mobile device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of terahertz signals is received by a base station.

9. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a plurality of instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations for establishing a terahertz link, the operations comprising:

receiving a plurality of terahertz signals from a plurality of detectors, where a liquid lens is deployed with each of the plurality of detectors;

applying an adjustment to a corresponding liquid lens that corresponds to a corresponding terahertz signal of the plurality of terahertz signals that is out of focus, wherein the adjustment adjusts a focus of the corresponding terahertz signal;

measuring a signal-to-noise ratio of each of the plurality of terahertz signals; and

establishing the terahertz link via one of the plurality of terahertz signals based on the signal-to-noise ratio of each of the plurality of terahertz signals.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the receiving the plurality of terahertz signals is performed via a cluster of the plurality of detectors having a combined field of view that is hemispherical.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein each respective liquid lens is deployed between a respective detector of the plurality of detectors and a primary lens.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein the primary lens comprises a second liquid lens.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the applying of the adjustment adjusts a shape of an interface of the corresponding liquid lens.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the plurality of terahertz signals is transmitted by a transmitter, with each of the plurality of terahertz signals being aimed outward from a center of a spherical structure.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the plurality of terahertz signals is received by a mobile device.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the plurality of terahertz signals is received by a base station.

17. An apparatus, for establishing a terahertz link, the apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a computer-readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations, the operations comprising;

receiving a plurality of terahertz signals from a plurality of detectors, where a liquid lens is deployed with each of the plurality of detectors;

applying an adjustment to a corresponding liquid lens that corresponds to a corresponding terahertz signal of the plurality of terahertz signals that is out of focus, wherein the adjustment adjusts a focus of the corresponding terahertz signal;

measuring a signal-to-noise ratio of each of the plurality of terahertz signals; and

establishing the terahertz link via one of the plurality of terahertz signals based on the signal-to-noise ratio of each of the plurality of terahertz signals.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the receiving the plurality of terahertz signals is performed via a cluster of the plurality of detectors having a combined field of view that is hemispherical.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein each respective liquid lens is deployed between a respective detector of the plurality of detectors and a primary lens.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the primary lens comprises a second liquid lens.