Communications Without Power Transmission

A net zero power communications system comprising a laser beam generator, a black body, a cooled cavity, an optical absorber in the cooled cavity, and a controller. The controller is configured to identify information for transmission. The controller is configured to control the laser beam generator to emit laser beam pulses at the optical absorber layer that changes a temperature of the optical absorber layer with a pattern that causes the optical absorber layer to emit black body radiation from the cooled cavity to thereby encode the information.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The present disclosure relates generally to an improved communications system and in particular, to facilitating communications with a net zero transmission of power to a receiver of the communications.

Wireless communications often involve the use of radio frequency signal transmissions. These and other types of transmissions transmit information by transmitting power through a medium or free space. In the case of the medium, the power transfer takes place in the form of density variations of the medium that are transverse or longitudinal to the wave propagation direction. In the case of free space, the power transfer takes place in the form of varying quantities of particles or the variation of phase, amplitude, polarization, wavelength, or angular momentum of one or more electromagnetic waves.

Wireless communications can include many different types of data. For example, wireless communications can include voice, video, images, data, program code, and other types of information. Wireless communications can enable sending this type of information long distances without needing physical wires or cables.

SUMMARY

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a net zero energy communications system comprising a laser beam generator, a black body, a cooled cavity, an optical absorber in the cooled cavity, and a controller. The controller is configured to identify information for transmission. The controller is configured to control the laser beam generator to emit laser beam pulses at the optical absorber layer that changes a temperature of the optical absorber layer with a pattern that causes the optical absorber layer to emit black body radiation from the cooled cavity to thereby encode the information.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a net zero power communications system comprising a laser beam generator, a black body, a cooled cavity, and a controller. The controller is configured to identify information for transmission. The controller is configured to control the laser beam generator to emit laser beam pulses through the cooled cavity in which the laser beam pulses have characteristics that simulate black body radiation in an environment around the black body system. The laser beam pulses have a pattern that encodes the information in simulated black body radiation.

Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a net zero power communications system comprising a conduit and a transmitter. A fluid flows though the conduit. The transmitter is thermally connected to the conduit. The transmitter is configured to selectively remove heat from the fluid flowing by the transmitter to cause a pattern of temperature changes from an ambient temperature in the fluid to thereby encode information.

Yet another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for net zero power communications. Information is identified for transmission. Laser beam pulses are emitted at an optical absorber layer in a cooled cavity in a black body system that changes a temperature of the optical absorber layer with a pattern that causes the optical absorber layer to emit black body radiation from the cooled cavity to thereby encode the information.

Still another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for net zero power communications. Information is identified for transmission. Laser beam pulses are emitted through a cooled cavity in a black body system in which the laser beam pulses have characteristics that simulate black body radiation in an environment. The laser beam pulses have a pattern that encodes the information in simulated black body radiation.

Another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for net zero power communications. Information is identified for transmission. Each is removed from a fluid flowing in a conduit to cause a pattern of temperature changes from an ambient temperature in the fluid to thereby encode information.

Yet another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for net zero power communications. Information is identified for transmission. Power is removed from a transmission medium with a pattern based on the information, wherein the pattern causes power changes that encode the information in the transmission medium.

Another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides a detection system for detecting net zero power communications. The detection system comprises a black body system with a cooled cavity, a radiation detector, and a controller. The radiation detector is configured to detect black body radiation. The controller is in communication with the radiation detector. The controller is configured to determine whether the black body radiation detected by the radiation detector has a pattern encoding information. The controller is configured to decode the information in the black body radiation in response to detecting the pattern.

Still another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for detecting information encoded by a net zero power communication system. Black body radiation is measured using a radiation detector in a cooled cavity in a black body system. A determination is made as to whether the black body radiation detected by the radiation detector has a pattern encoding information. The information in the black body radiation is decoded in response to detecting the pattern.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The illustrative embodiments recognize and take into account one or more different considerations. For example, the power transfer involved in sending communications to a receiver can interfere with nearby devices or communication systems. For example, interference can occur when multiple devices transmit signals simultaneously. Further, the possibility of interference also increases when the same or overlapping frequencies are used.

Further, strong radio frequency signals can result in electromagnetic fields that can interfere with the normal operation of sensitive electronic devices such as computers, mobile phones, or Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Additionally, wireless communications that involve the transfer of power can result in issues with data privacy. Also, current communications techniques can have limited bandwidth because use of the existing spectrum for wireless communications systems. Additionally, wireless communications including optical signals can have high safety issues.

Information transmitted using power that is greater than the background noise, and does not have the characteristics of the background noise, can be detected. As a result, the possibility of intercepting and decoding information increases with this type of information transmission. Additionally, the use of power to transmit information such as the use of lasers can also have safety concerns such as eye safety. Further, the amount of bandwidth available is limited with transmission of information using electromagnetic fields at a level greater than background noise. For example, limited bandwidths are present for using radio frequency signals to transmit information.

Thus, it would be desirable to have an information transmission system that overcomes one or more of these different technical problems.

Thus, illustrative embodiments provide a method, apparatus, system, and computer program product for wireless communications that do not transmit power to a receiver or have a net zero transmission of power as compared to the background power in the environment. In one illustrative example, a net zero power communications system comprises a laser beam generator, a black body, a cooled cavity, an optical absorber in the cooled cavity, and a controller. The controller is configured to identify information for transmission. The controller is configured to control the laser beam generator to emit laser beam pulses at the optical absorber layer that changes a temperature of the optical absorber layer with a pattern that causes the optical absorber layer to emit black body radiation from the cooled cavity to thereby encode the information.

With reference now to the figures, and in particular with reference toFIG.1, an illustration of a communications environment is depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. In this illustrative example, communications environment100is an environment in which net zero power communications can occur. As depicted, satellite102is a receiver. As depicted, satellite102captures image104of region106on earth108. In this example, image104is an image of the black body radiation emitted from region106. In this example, image104can be analyzed to identify communications of information transmitted by a net zero power communications system (not shown). In this example, pixels in area110of image104have a color indicating an absence of black body radiation.

The absence of black body radiation is caused by a net zero power communications system located in area110that selectively reduces or removes power to suppress the transmission of black body radiation with a pattern over time that thereby encodes data for transmission. The pattern between an absence of black body radiation and black body radiation encodes information in this example.

With reference now toFIG.2, an illustration of a block diagram of a communications environment is depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Net zero power communications system202in communications environment200can communicate information222with net zero power. In this example, net zero power communications system202comprises computer system212, controller214, laser beam generator216, and black body system218with cooled cavity220.

As used herein, “a number of” when used with reference to items, means one or more items. For example, “a number of operations” is one or more operations.

As depicted, computer system212includes a number of processor units201that are capable of executing program instructions203implementing processes in the illustrative examples. In other words, program instructions203are computer-readable program instructions.

As used herein, a processor unit in the number of processor units201is a hardware device and is comprised of hardware circuits such as those on an integrated circuit that respond to and process instructions and program code that operate a computer. When the number of processor units201executes program instructions203for a process, the number of processor units201can be one or more processor units that are in the same computer or in different computers. In other words, the process can be distributed between processor units201on the same or different computers in computer system212.

Further, the number of processor units201can be of the same type or different types of processor units. For example, the number of processor units201can be selected from at least one of a single core processor, a dual-core processor, a multi-processor core, a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), or some other type of processor unit.

In this example, black body system218comprises black body structure221and cooling system223. Cooled cavity220is located in black body structure221. Black body structure221can be comprised of a material that can be cooled to a temperature such that an absence of black body radiation is present within cooled cavity220. This material can be, for example, a metal, a ceramic, aluminum, titanium, or some other suitable material.

Cooling system223cools black body structure221such that black body radiation232is not emitted from cooled cavity220without changing the temperature of optical absorber layer226. In this example, cooling system223is thermally connected to black body structure221. Cooling of black body structure221also cools fluid229in cooled cavity220.

In these illustrative examples, fluid229can be a gas or a liquid. A vacuum can also be considered a fluid when the vacuum is used as a medium for transmitting black body radiation. In this illustrative example, fluid229is air. In other illustrative examples, cooling system223can cool fluid229in cooled cavity220.

In this example, fluid229is a transmission medium from which power is removed to avoid or prevent the transmission of black body radiation232. Black body radiation is transmitted when power is not removed from fluid229such as black body radiation232generated by optical absorber layer226. Thus, the power changes reflected by presence or absence of black body radiation encodes the information that is transmitted through fluid229.

In this example, laser beam generator216is a hardware system that comprises a number of lasers217. In this illustrative example, each of these lasers can emit laser beam pulses270.

In this depicted illustrative example, controller214identifies information222for transmission. Controller214controls laser beam generator216to emit laser beam pulses224at the optical absorber layer226in cooled cavity220in black body system218that changes temperature228of optical absorber layer226with pattern230that causes the optical absorber layer226to emit black body radiation232from cooled cavity220that thereby encodes information222. Pattern230of heating and cooling caused by optical absorber layer226encodes information222and black body radiation232emitted from cooled cavity220.

In this illustrative example, black body radiation232is emitted from optical absorber layer226in cooled cavity220in response to changing temperature228of optical absorber layer226. Black body system218cools optical absorber layer226and fluid229in cooled cavity220such that black body radiation232is not transmitted from cooled cavity220without laser beam pulses224increasing temperature228of optical absorber layer226.

Further, in this example, optical absorber layer226is comprised of a material that can absorb laser light and convert that power in the laser light into kinetic power that causes heat that temporarily increases temperature228in cooled cavity220resulting in the black body radiation232. For example, optical absorber layer226can be comprised of one or more materials selected from least one of comprised from at least one of a metal, a metal alloy, aluminum, a ceramic, a plastic, a glass, a semiconductor, a nanostructure, or other suitable material.

The selection of a particular material can be based on the heat capacity of the material. For example, material can be selected that has a lower capacity that enables optical absorber layer226to change temperature more quickly as compared to material with a higher heat capacity. As a result, the data rate can be increased through the selection of one or more materials for optical absorber layer226. Further, material can be selected as one that enhances emissivity and thermal conductivity while reducing specific heat such as quantum wells, quantum wires, and quantum dots.

In this example, laser beam pulses224that impact optical absorber layer226cause optical absorber layer226to change temperature228with pattern230that heats and cools cooled cavity220in a manner that causes emission of black body radiation232that encodes information222.

In this illustrative example, information222can be encoded in black body radiation232as digital data. With this example, black body radiation232represents a logic 0 and an absence of black body radiation232represents a logic 1. Alternatively, black body radiation232can represent a logic 1 and an absence of black body radiation232can represent a logic 0.

In yet another illustrative example, information222can be encoded in black body radiation232as analog data. With analog data, the transmission rates can be slower than with digital data.

Further in this example, black body radiation232emitted from cooled cavity220by optical absorber layer226has characteristics of environmental black body radiation231in an environment233around the black body system.

In another illustrative example, optical absorber layer226can be omitted from cooled cavity220. With this example, controller214identifies information222for transmission. With the identification of information222, controller214controls laser beam generator216to emit laser beam pulses270through cooled cavity220in which laser beam pulses270have characteristics that simulate environmental black body radiation231in environment233around the black body system. In this example, laser beam pulses224form simulated environmental black body radiation272having pattern271that encodes information222in simulated environmental black body radiation272. Laser beam pulses270form simulated environmental black body radiation272. Without simulated environmental black body radiation272, absence of environmental black body radiation231is present in the location of black body structure221.

This simulated environmental black body radiation is in place of the absence of black body radiation being emitted from cooled cavity220. In this example, pattern271between simulated environmental black body radiation272and an absence of simulated environmental black body radiation272encodes information222.

In this example, receiver260detects black body radiation232encoding information222in black body radiation232. Receiver260can also detect simulated environmental black body radiation272encoding information222in simulated environmental black body radiation272. In this example, receiver260comprises black body system262with cooled cavity264. Radiation detector266is located in cooled cavity264.

Radiation detector266can take a number of different forms. For example, radiation detector266can be a camera, infrared thermography camera, a Golay cell detector system, a quantum well infrared photodetector system, an infrared fiber optic sensor system, and other suitable types of sensor systems that can detect black body radiation.

In this illustrative example, radiation detector266is located in cooled cavity264in black body system262to reduce or avoid the detection of black body radiation in the environments around receiver260. As a result, receiver260can be pointed at different locations to measure black body radiation emanating from those locations.

In this illustrative example, net zero power communications system202can be located in platform240. For example, laser beam generator216, black body system218, optical absorber layer226, and controller214can be located in platform240. Platform240can be selected from a group comprising a stationary platform, a mobile platform, a ground station, a vehicle, a surface ship, and other suitable platforms.

In one illustrative example, one or more technical solutions are present that overcome a technical problem with issues such as data privacy, eye safety, and bandwidth availability. As a result, one or more technical solutions may provide an ability to transmit information with increased data privacy through net zero transmissions of information. Further, since information is transmitted based on black body radiation, eye safety issues are reduced or absent. The illustrative examples also enable increasing the bandwidth available for transmitting information because this type of information transmission does not use currently available transmission mechanisms and their bandwidths. These systems do not use patterns in an absence of black body radiation to encode and transmit information.

For example, one or more black body structures can be present in addition to or in place of black body structure221. Each of these black body structures can receive laser beam pulses from laser beam generator216. In one example, multiple lasers are present that can generate these laser beam pulses. In another illustrative example, optical elements can be used to generate multiple laser beam pulses from a single laser.

Turning next toFIG.3, an illustration of a schematic diagram for transmitting information using net zero power is depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. In this illustrative example, net zero power transmission system300is an example of an implementation for net zero power communications system202.

As depicted in this example, net zero power transmission system300comprises laser beam generator302, aluminum foil304in cooled cavity306, black body structure308, and lens310. Aluminum foil304is an example of an optical absorber layer. In this example, aluminum foil304is selected as having high emissivity and low specific heat capacity. Aluminum foil304has close to 1 with respect emissivity. The value of 1 represent a perfect emitter on scale of 0 to 1. In other words, aluminum foil304is efficient at emitting thermal radiation response to laser beam pulses320. In this example, aluminum foil304is about 100 nanometers thick.

Black body structure308can be tube in which liquid nitrogen is present in cooled cavity306.

In this example, a laser beam is modulated to form laser beam pulses320that are emitted from laser beam generator302. In this example, lens310is located between laser beam generator302and black body structure308. Lens310is configured to focus and collimate laser beam pulses320in response to their passing through the lens310as focused collimated laser beam pulses324.

Pinhole322is located in black body structure308. Focused collimated laser beam pulses324passing through pinhole322, spread out to strike surface326of aluminum foil304, which is the optical absorber layer in this example. Pinhole322allows for light to enter the cooled cavity306for heating while simultaneously limiting the amount of black body radiation escaping the cavity causing it to cool.

Aluminum foil304absorbs these laser beam pulses. In response, aluminum foil304radiates the power as black body radiation330. Black body radiation330is radiated with a pattern that encodes information that has been selected for transmission. In other words, a pattern between the emission of black body radiation330and an absence of black body radiation330encodes information that is to be transmitted using black body radiation330. In this example, the data rate can be limited by the thermodynamic properties of aluminum foil304.

Turning now toFIG.4, an illustration of a schematic diagram for transmitting information using net zero power is depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. In this illustrative example, net zero power transmission system400is an example of an implementation for net zero power communications system202.

As depicted in this example, net zero power transmission system400comprises laser beam generator402, lens403, black body structure404, cooled cavity406in black body structure404, and collimating lens408in cooled cavity406.

In this example, lens403is located between laser beam generator402and black body structure404. Laser beam generator402modulates a laser beam to form laser beam pulses420. Lens403focuses and collimates laser beam pulses420in response to their passing through lens403as focused collimated laser beam pulses424and directed through pinhole422in black body structure404.

In this example, focused collimated laser beam pulses424passing through pinhole422spread out to form divergent laser beam pulses426. In this example, these divergent laser beam pulses426pass through collimating lens408. Collimating lens408collimates divergent laser beam pulses426to form simulated environmental black body radiation430.

With reference now toFIG.5, an illustration of a block diagram of a net zero power communications system is depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. In this example, net zero power communications system500comprises conduit502, transmitter504, and controller506.

In this example, fluid508flows through conduit502. Fluid508can be, for example, a gas or a liquid. Conduit502can be closed loop conduit510such that fluid by weight can recirculate within closed loop conduit510. In another example, conduit502can be open loop conduit512. In this case, fluid508does not recirculate.

In this illustrative example, transmitter504is thermally connected to conduit502. Transmitter504can selectively remove heat from fluid508flowing by the transmitter504to cause a pattern of temperature changes516in fluid508from ambient temperature518in the fluid508to thereby encode information520for transmission.

Further, in this example, the removal of heat from fluid508is a removal of power from a transmission medium, which is fluid508in this example. Thus, the power changes reflected by the temperature changes encodes the information in fluid508.

With the identification of information520, controller506controls transmitter504to selectively remove heat522from fluid508. This removal of heat522is formed in a manner that results in pattern of temperature changes516that encodes information520.

For example, fluid508at ambient temperature518represents a logic 0 and fluid508at a temperature lower than ambient temperature518represents a logic 1. In another example, fluid508at ambient temperature518represents a logic 1 and fluid508at a temperature lower than ambient temperature518represents a logic 0.

In this depicted example, net zero power communications system500can also include receiver530. Receiver530is thermally connected to conduit502. Receiver530is configured to decode information520encoded in pattern of temperature changes516for fluid508.

Turning next toFIG.6, an illustration of a net zero power communications system is depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. In this example, net zero power communications system600is an example of an implementation for net zero power communications system500inFIG.5.

In this example, net zero power communications system600includes conduit602, transmitter604, and receiver606.

In this example, conduit602is a close loop conduit. Fluid610is located in conduit602and flows in a clockwise direction. Fluid can be a gas or a liquid. In this example, fluid610in section612is at ambient temperature. Fluid610in section614has a temperature that is lower than the ambient temperature for fluid610.

In this example, transmitter604and receiver606are thermoelectric coolers. These devices are also referred to as Peltier coolers. These coolers operate using a physical phenomenon referred to as a Peltier effect. A temperature difference is created by applying a voltage difference across two types of semiconductors in these devices. The semiconductors arranged in pairs are referred to as thermocouples. As an electric current passes through the thermocouples, heat flux occurs resulting in one side becoming warmer and the other side becoming cooler.

In this example, the application of current to transmitter604causes conduit side620to become cooler than radiating side622. As a result, heat is drawn from fluid610resulting in fluid610becoming cooler than ambient temperature. Transmitter604can cool fluid610in a pattern that encodes data through a pattern of temperature changes in fluid extent.

In this example, as fluid passes by receiver606, a colder temperature is present on conduit side626as compared to radiating side628. As a result, the colder temperature of fluid610passes by receiver606and a difference between the thermocouples results in the generation of current or power in this example. As the pattern of temperature changes between the cooler temperature and ambient temperature, the information encoded in fluid610is decoded by receiver606. Receiver606generates electrical signals representing the information in response to detecting the pattern of temperature changes.

In this illustrative example, transmitter604can also operate as receiver. In a similar fashion, receiver606can also operate as a transmitter.

Turning next toFIG.7, an illustration of a flowchart of a process for net zero power communications is depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. The process inFIG.7can be implemented in hardware, software, or both. When implemented in software, the process can take the form of program instructions that are run by one of more processor units located in one or more hardware devices in one or more computer systems. For example, the process can be implemented in controller214in net zero power communications system202inFIG.2.

The process identifies information for transmission (operation700). The process emits laser beam pulses at an optical absorber layer in a cooled cavity in a black body system that changes a temperature of the optical absorber layer with a pattern that causes the optical absorber layer to emit black body radiation from the cooled cavity to thereby encode the information (operation702). The process terminates thereafter.

With reference toFIG.8, an illustration of a flowchart of a process for net zero power communications is depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. The process inFIG.8can be implemented in hardware, software, or both. When implemented in software, the process can take the form of program instructions that are run by one of more processor units located in one or more hardware devices in one or more computer systems. For example, the process can be implemented in controller214in net zero power communications system202inFIG.2.

The process identifies information for transmission (operation800). The process emits laser beam pulses through a cooled cavity in a black body system in which the laser beam pulses have characteristics that simulate black body radiation in an environment, wherein the laser beam pulses have a pattern that encodes the information in simulated black body radiation (operation802). The process terminates thereafter.

Next inFIG.9, an illustration of a flowchart of a process for net zero power communications is depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. The process inFIG.9can be implemented in hardware, software, or both. When implemented in software, the process can take the form of program instructions that are run by one of more processor units located in one or more hardware devices in one or more computer systems. For example, the process can be implemented in controller506in net zero power communications system500FIG.5.

The process identifies information for transmission (operation900). The process removes heat from a fluid flowing in a conduit to cause a pattern of temperature changes from an ambient temperature in the fluid to thereby encode information (operation902). The process terminates thereafter.

Turning toFIG.10, an illustration of a flowchart of a process for decoding information from a fluid is depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. The process in this figure is an example of additional operations that can be performed in the flowchart inFIG.9.

The process detects the pattern of temperature changes in the fluid at a receiver (operation1000). The process decodes the encoded information using the pattern of temperature changes (operation1002). The process terminates thereafter.

Turning next toFIG.11, an illustration of a flowchart of a process for net zero power communications is depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. The process inFIG.11can be implemented in hardware, software, or both. When implemented in software, the process can take the form of program instructions that are run by one of more processor units located in one or more hardware devices in one or more computer systems. For example, the process can be implemented in controller214in net zero power communications system202inFIG.2or in controller506in net zero power communications system500inFIG.5.

The process determines information for transmission (operation1100). The process removes power from a transmission medium with a pattern based on the information, wherein the pattern causes power changes that encode the information in the transmission medium (operation1102). The process terminates thereafter.

In step1102, the medium can be a fluid such as a gas or liquid. The power can be removed in a number different ways. For example, the power can be removed by cooling a cooled cavity in a black body structure and a black body system. In another example, the fluid can be in a conduit that is cooled by a thermoelectric cooler removing power from the fluid in the conduit. The power changes can be whether black body radiation is emitted or whether changes occur in the temperature of the fluid.

Turning next toFIG.12, an illustration of a flowchart of a process for net zero power communications is depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. The process inFIG.12is an example of an implementation for step1102inFIG.11. This process can be implemented using controller214in net zero power communications system202inFIG.2.

The process removes power from a fluid in a cooled cavity in a black body system such that black body radiation is not emitted from the cooled cavity (operation1200). The process temporarily increases a temperature of the fluid in the cooled cavity using the pattern to cause emission of a black body radiation from the cooled cavity to thereby encode the information (1202). The process terminates thereafter.

InFIG.13, an illustration of a flowchart of a process for net zero power communications is depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. The process inFIG.13is an example of an implementation for step1102inFIG.11. This process can be implemented using controller506in net zero power communications system500inFIG.5.

The process removes heat from a fluid flowing in a conduit, using the pattern to thereby encode the information (operation1300). The process terminates thereafter.

Turning next toFIG.14, an illustration of a flowchart of a process for detecting net zero power communications is depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. The process inFIG.14can be implemented in hardware, software, or both. When implemented in software, the process can take the form of program instructions that are run by one of more processor units located in one or more hardware devices in one or more computer systems. This process can be implemented using receiver260in net zero power communications system202inFIG.2.

The process measures black body radiation using a radiation detector in a cooled cavity in a black body system (operation1400). The process determines whether the black body radiation detected by the radiation detector has a pattern encoding information (operation1402).

The process decodes the information in the black body radiation in response to detecting the pattern (operation1404). The process terminates thereafter.

Thus, illustrative embodiments provide a method, apparatus, and system, for net zero communications. In one illustrative example, a net zero power communications system comprising a laser beam generator, a black body, a cooled cavity, an optical absorber in the cooled cavity, and a controller. The controller is configured to identify information for transmission. The controller is configured to control the laser beam generator to emit laser beam pulses at the optical absorber layer that changes a temperature of the optical absorber layer with a pattern that causes the optical absorber layer to emit black body radiation from the cooled cavity to thereby encode the information.

As a result, one or more illustrative examples overcome issues with at least one of data privacy, eye safety, or bandwidth availability. One or more of the illustrative examples provide an ability to transmit information with increased data privacy through net zero transmissions of information. Further, since information is transmitted based on black body radiation, eye safety issues are reduced or absent. The illustrative examples also enable increasing the bandwidth available for transmitting information because this type of information transmission does not use currently available transmission mechanisms and their bandwidths.