MOEMS-based Lens-Assisted Beam Steering for Free-Space Optical Communications

Goldman, Daniel A.; Serra, Paul; Kacker, Shreeyam; Benney, Lucas; Vresilovic, Daniel; Spector, Steven J.; Cahoy, Kerri; Wachs, Jordan S.

doi:10.1109/jlt.2023.3235937

Cited by 7 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 48 publications

(50 reference statements)

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“…143 There is a vast diversity of nonmechanical beam steering techniques, such as those based on liquid crystal devices, [144][145][146] optical phased arrays, 147 and focal plane switch array. 148 Furthermore, several techniques have been proposed to simultaneously steer and shape the beam combining the previous with variable focal lenses. 142,149 Further research is required to enable the use of these devices in FSOC terminals in space, especially regarding their performance and lifetime under the periodic temperature changes to which they would be exposed.…”

Section: Future Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several non-mechanical beam steering mechanisms have been proposed for their application in FSOC 143 . There is a vast diversity of non-mechanical beam steering techniques, such as those based on liquid crystal devices, 144 – 146 optical phased arrays, 147 and focal plane switch array 148 . Furthermore, several techniques have been proposed to simultaneously steer and shape the beam combining the previous with variable focal lenses 142 , 149 .…”

Section: Future Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Opto-thermo-mechanical phenomena in satellite free-space optical communications: survey and challenges

Badás,

Piron,

Bouwmeester

et al. 2023

Opt. Eng.

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Growing interest in free-space optical communication, due to the high bandwidth and security provided by these links, has generated the necessity of designing high-performance satellite terminals. In order to develop these terminals, the optothermo-mechanical phenomena that appear in the space environment and their effect on optical communication links have to be understood in detail. A review of the opto-thermo-mechanical phenomena occurring in spaceborne terminals is presented, describing the relevance of each of them. The methods found to compute the impact on the communication performance due to opto-thermo-mechanical phenomena are collected by building the bridge between the optical and communication performance parameters. Finally, techniques available to mitigate the detrimental effects of these phenomena are classified, and the relevant research challenges are identified.

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Section: Future Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Future Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

Opto-thermo-mechanical phenomena in satellite free-space optical communications: survey and challenges

Badás,

Piron,

Bouwmeester

et al. 2023

Opt. Eng.

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“…Common optical scanning mechanisms are employed as laser and vision tracking options, including gimbal mount, 1,2 reflective mirror mechanism, 3 refractive prism mechanism, and mirror arrays. 4,5 Non-mechanical methods include acousto-optic and electro-optic deflectors, electro-wetting, and liquid crystal technologies. Among these, liquid crystal technology stands out for its unique advantages, such as lightweight design, compactness, low power consumption, and cost-effectiveness.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Disordered multi-target scanning is an important application scenario of lidar target tracking technology. Common optical scanning mechanisms are employed as laser and vision tracking options, including gimbal mount, 1 , 2 reflective mirror mechanism, 3 refractive prism mechanism, and mirror arrays 4 , 5 . Non-mechanical methods include acousto-optic and electro-optic deflectors, electro-wetting, and liquid crystal technologies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Path optimization of cascaded prism scanning beam defined by the rotation prism coordinate system

Li,

Liu,

Zhou

2024

Opt. Eng.

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Disordered multi-target scanning is an important application scenario of lidar target tracking technology. However, when dealing with scanning beam paths steered by cascaded prisms, it presents notable challenges, including highly non-linear and strongly coupled characteristics between the output vectors and prism rotation angles. Additionally, due to prismatic independence, there is no available coordinate system for visually observing the state of multiple prisms and the transitions between these states. In this work, we propose a rotation prism coordinate system, which offers coordinate conversion methods and mathematical expressions for distances. Two scanning modes, the fastest mode, and the shortest mode, along with two criteria, the total distance difference, and path curvature, are proposed for facilitating path selection and adhering to physical restrictions. To tackle the equivalent point-traveling salesman problem within this coordinate system, we employ an ant colony-taboo fusion algorithm. Our experiment results demonstrate a substantial improvement in efficiency, with up to a 2.77-fold enhancement compared to the original technique. This approach presents a promising solution for addressing the complexities of multi-target scanning with cascaded prisms in lidar target tracking. Future applications include environmental detection, rapid scanning and mapping, and identification of assembly parts in chaotic scenarios.

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“…Manuscript received August 13, 2023; revised August 13, 2023; Date of publication August 13, 2023 transmitter source position have been demonstrated [6]. Nonmechanical techniques include variable focus lenses [7], passive diffractive optics [8], integrated optical phased arrays [9] and/or tunable lasers [10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Free-Space Optical Communication Link With Liquid Crystal Beam-Steering

Zhang,

Schreier,

Wang

et al. 2023

IEEE Photon. Technol. Lett.

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In this letter, we present a non-mechanical 2D beam-steering system suitable for optical wireless communication. Steering is achieved using polarization gratings combined with nematic liquid crystal cells operating as voltage-controlled polarization shifters. These steering elements are combined with a holographic diffuser matched to the discrete steering angles of the polarization grating, enabling continuous angular coverage. Beam-steering is also used at the receiver, allowing a large collection area receiver with a relatively narrow field of view to be used. The approach presented here could, in principle, be applied to a broad range of wavelengths (including visible light and near-infrared wavelengths). Furthermore, the technique does not inherently limit the transmission data rate. Besides, it improves the link margin and offers the potential for a bidirectional steered link using the same beam-steering elements. Details of the approach are set out in the paper, followed by experimental results from a 50 Mbit/s optical link operating over one meter. Future directions are then discussed.

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MOEMS-based Lens-Assisted Beam Steering for Free-Space Optical Communications

Cited by 7 publications

References 48 publications

Opto-thermo-mechanical phenomena in satellite free-space optical communications: survey and challenges

Opto-thermo-mechanical phenomena in satellite free-space optical communications: survey and challenges

Path optimization of cascaded prism scanning beam defined by the rotation prism coordinate system

Free-Space Optical Communication Link With Liquid Crystal Beam-Steering

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