Control system for multi-beam free space optical endpoint

摘要

Free space optics (FSO) is a wireless technology that utilizes optical frequencies. Previously available FSO transceivers are restricted to point-to-point links because of the high directivity of laser light used to transmit data. By contrast, various implementations disclosed herein include a multi-beam FSO apparatus that is less reliant on point-to-point links, and includes a lens assembly and a planar array of optical communication devices. The lens assembly includes at least one surface shaped to direct ingress light received substantially within a first angular range towards a focal plane, and to direct egress light away from the focal plane into the first angular range. The planar array includes a plurality of optical communication devices arranged in association with the focal plane of the lens assembly, wherein each of the plurality of optical communication devices characterizes at least one of a plurality of optical communication link endpoints.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
at a multi-beam free-space optical device including optical communication devices, a lens assembly and channel control modules, wherein an active data channel is supported by a respective pairing of an optical communication device and a channel control module, wherein a first set of the optical communication devices is provided on a first substrate, and a second set of the optical communication devices is provided on a second substrate that is parallel to the first substrate, wherein the first substrate includes perforations that permit light beams to pass to and from the second set of optical communication devices on the second substrate, wherein the lens assembly includes a surface shaped to direct ingress light received substantially within a first angular range towards the optical communication devices, and to direct egress light away from the optical communication devices into the first angular range;
monitoring optical signal power received by one or more of the optical communication devices in order to detect an incoming optical data signal received using at least one of the optical communication devices;assessing a detected incoming optical data signal in order to determine whether or not the incoming optical data signal corresponds to an active data channel; andadjusting one or more pairings between the optical communication devices and the channel control modules in response to the assessment of the received optical signal.