Patent Description:
Information can be transmitted over directional point-to-point networks, such as aerospace and other mobile networks. In such networks, links can be formed between pairs of nodes, or terminals at each node, by aiming lens systems of each node pair towards each other. In some implementations, the nodes may transmit and receive optical signals through free space optical communication (FSOC) links.

<CIT> describes an optical receiving focusing lens for close-range free space optical communication comprising a first lens, a second lens and a third lens which are sequentially arranged. The first lens is a planoconvex spotlight with a plane facing to a photoelectric detector, the second lens is a meniscus lens with a concave surface facing to the photoelectric detector, the third lens is a plano-concave lens with a concave surface facing to the photoelectric detector, and incidence beams sequentially pass through the first lens, the second lens and the third lens to be converged on an effective detecting surface of the photoelectric detector. When the incidence beams are parallel to an optical axis of the focusing lens and move in an effective aperture of the focusing lens along a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, the focusing lens can focus more than <NUM>% energy of the incidence beams in a circle with the diameter of <NUM> microns.

<CIT> describes a laser communication transmitter and receiver for wireless optical communication. The laser communication transmitter uses a small diameter so correspondingly divergent beam to provide improved bit error rates. A laser communication receiver includes a diffractive optical element to permit detectors at different spatial locations to detect different wavelengths of the optical signal. An immersion lens may be employed to focus the optical signal to a spot size smaller than the photoactive area of the detector.

<CIT> describes an optical signal transmission system for transmitting signal light through a transmitting fiber, an optical connector, and a receiving fiber to an optical receptacle, in which the relationships ϕ1ex<ϕ2en and ϕpd<ϕ2en are satisfied, where ϕ1ex is the core diameter of the transmitting fiber at the exit face of the transmitting fiber, ϕ2en is the core diameter of the receiving fiber at the entrance face of the receiving fiber, and ϕpd is the diameter of a receiving surface of a light receiving element in the optical receptacle, and the relationship NA1ex>NA2en is satisfied, where, in the optical connector, NA1ex is the numerical aperture (NA) of the signal light emitted from the transmitting fiber, and NA2en is the NA of the signal light incident on the receiving fiber.

Aspects of the disclosure provide for an optical communication device according to appended claim <NUM>.

In one example, the first surface is a first convex surface, the second surface is a second convex surface, the third surface is a third convex surface, and the fourth surface is a fourth planar surface. In another example, the light includes a plurality of ray bundles, and the second lens is configured to cause at least partial overlap of the plurality of ray bundles at the photodetector.

In a further example, the fourth surface is positioned at a focal length of the second lens. In this example, the second lens has a thickness between the third surface and the fourth surface that is equal to the focal length of the second lens. In yet another example, the optical communication device is configured for free-space optical communication.

Further aspects of the disclosure provide for a method of processing an optical signal according to appended claim <NUM>.

The technology relates to a non-imaging lens system that focuses light from a multimode fiber on a photodetector for free-space optical communications. The lens system is configured to relay an optical signal from the multimode fiber onto the photodetector that has a diameter smaller than the multimode fiber core. The lens system may more evenly illuminate the photodetector such that more light overall is received at the photodetector while not exceeding a maximum intensity of light at any given location of the photodetector.

The lens system according to the claimed invention includes a first lens and a second lens positioned between an optical fiber and a photodetector. The first lens is positioned between the optical fiber and the second lens and functions as a relay lens. The second lens is positioned between the first lens and the photodetector and may function as a field lens. In addition, the second lens may be positioned in contact with or in close proximity with the photodetector.

The features described in more detail below may provide a lens system that minimizes power loss and maximizes coupling efficiency. As a result, more light may be able to be captured and to be distributed more evenly across the photodetector, thereby preventing damage to the photodetector from a high peak irradiance. This, in turn, may increase the lifetime and input optical power operational range of the photodetector and the FSOC system overall. The described lens system also allows for more relaxed assembly tolerances compared to imaging configurations due to the variability of the dimensions. The magnification required for the first lens may be smaller because the second lens provides additional refraction of light towards the photodetector. Less overall aberration is therefore achievable using the described lens system. In addition, the second lens may serve to protect the photodetector from damage by distributing light more evenly, by filtering the light, or by acting as a physical shield to the photodetector.

<FIG> shows an optical communication device <NUM> that includes one or more processors <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, and one or more transceivers <NUM>. The optical communication device <NUM> may be configured to form one or more communication links with other optical communication devices. The one or more processors <NUM> may be any conventional processors, such as commercially available CPUs. Alternatively, the one or more processors may be a dedicated device such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or other hardware-based processor, such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA). Although <FIG> functionally illustrates the one or more processors <NUM> and memory <NUM> as being within the same block, it will be understood that the one or more processors <NUM> and memory <NUM> may actually comprise multiple processors and memories that may or may not be stored within the same physical housing. Accordingly, references to a processor or computer will be understood to include references to a collection of processors or computers or memories that may or may not operate in parallel.

Memory <NUM> stores information accessible by the one or more processors <NUM>, including data <NUM> and instructions <NUM> that may be executed by the one or more processors <NUM>. The memory may be of any type capable of storing information accessible by the processor, including a computer-readable medium such as a hard-drive, memory card, ROM, RAM, DVD or other optical disks, as well as other write-capable and read-only memories. The system and method may include different combinations of the foregoing, whereby different portions of the instructions and data are stored on different types of media.

Data <NUM> may be retrieved, stored or modified by the one or more processors <NUM> in accordance with the instructions <NUM>. For instance, although the system and method is not limited by any particular data structure, the data <NUM> may be stored in computer registers, in a relational database as a table having a plurality of different fields and records, XML documents or flat files. The data <NUM> may also be formatted in any computer-readable format such as, but not limited to, binary values or Unicode. By further way of example only, image data may be stored as bitmaps comprised of grids of pixels that are stored in accordance with formats that are compressed or uncompressed, lossless (e.g., BMP) or lossy (e.g., JPEG), and bitmap or vector-based (e.g., SVG), as well as computer instructions for drawing graphics. The data <NUM> may comprise any information sufficient to identify the relevant information, such as numbers, descriptive text, proprietary codes, references to data stored in other areas of the same memory or different memories (including other network locations) or information that is used by a function to calculate the relevant data.

Instructions <NUM> may be any set of instructions to be executed directly (such as machine code) or indirectly (such as scripts) by the one or more processors <NUM>. For example, the instructions <NUM> may be stored as computer code on the computer-readable medium. The instructions <NUM> may be stored in object code format for direct processing by the one or more processors <NUM>, or in any other computer language including scripts or collections of independent source code modules that are interpreted on demand or compiled in advance. Functions, methods and routines of the instructions <NUM> are explained in more detail below.

The one or more transceivers <NUM> may be configured to transmit and receive optical frequencies via cable, fiber, or free space. Additional one or more transceivers may also be included that are configured to transmit and receive radio frequencies or other frequencies. The one or more transceivers <NUM> may be configured to communicate with one or more other communication devices via one or more communication links. In <FIG>, the communication device <NUM> is shown having communication links (illustrated as arrows) with client device <NUM> and communication devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

With a plurality of communication devices, the communication device <NUM> may form a communication network, such as network <NUM> in <FIG>. The network <NUM> includes client devices <NUM> and <NUM>, server device <NUM>, and communication devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. Each of the client devices <NUM>, <NUM>, server device <NUM>, and communication devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may include one or more processors, a memory, and one or more transceivers. The one or more processors may be any well-known processor or a dedicated controller similar to the one or more processors described above. The memory may store information accessible by the one or more processors, including data and instructions that may be executed by the one or more processors. The memory, data, and instructions may be configured similarly to memory <NUM>, data <NUM>, and instructions <NUM> described above. Using the one or more transceivers, each communication device in network <NUM> may form at least one communication link with another communication device, as shown by the arrows. The communication links may be for optical frequencies, radio frequencies, other frequencies, or a combination of frequencies.

Returning to <FIG>, the one or more transceivers <NUM> of the optical communication device <NUM> includes an optical fiber <NUM>, lens system <NUM>, and a photodetector <NUM>. Optical fiber <NUM> is configured according to the claimed invention to receive light, including an optical signal, transmitted from a remote communication device, such as client device <NUM> or communication device <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The optical fiber <NUM> is also be configured to relay the light towards the photodetector <NUM>. The photodetector <NUM> may be configured to detect light received at the surface of the photodetector and may convert the received light into an electrical signal using the photoelectric effect. The one or more processors <NUM> may be configured to use the photodetector <NUM> to derive data from the received light and control the optical communication device <NUM> in response to the derived data.

The lens system <NUM> is positioned between the optical fiber <NUM> and the photodetector <NUM>. The lens system <NUM> is configured to focus the light from the optical fiber <NUM> onto the photodetector <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the lens system <NUM> may include a first lens <NUM> and a second lens <NUM>. The first lens <NUM> is positioned between the optical fiber <NUM> and the second lens <NUM>, and the second lens <NUM> is positioned between the first lens <NUM> and the photodetector <NUM>.

The first lens <NUM> is configured to relay light emitted from an output plane <NUM> of the optical fiber <NUM> to an image plane <NUM> that exists between the first lens <NUM> and the photodetector <NUM> and focus a cross-sectional area of the light output from the optical fiber <NUM> onto the second lens <NUM>. For example, the received light may converge as it passes through the first lens <NUM> due to a greater refractive index of the lens and a curvature of the lens. The first lens has a first surface <NUM> configured to receive the light output from the optical fiber <NUM>, a second surface <NUM> configured to relay the received light towards the second lens, and a thickness <NUM> between the first surface and the second surface. The first surface and the second surface may be convex surfaces, where a center portion of the surface extends outward in relation to edges of the surface. The first surface <NUM> may have a first radius of curvature, and the second surface <NUM> may have a second radius of curvature that is larger than the first radius of curvature. The first lens <NUM> may have a size that is able to collect all the light emitted from the optical fiber <NUM>. For example, the lens diameter may be at least 2tan(θ)d, where θ is a numerical aperture of the optical fiber and d is a distance between the output plane of the optical fiber and the first lens.

The second lens <NUM> may be configured to further focus the cross-sectional area of light output from the first lens <NUM> onto the photodetector <NUM>. For instance, the second lens <NUM> may be configured to further converge the light or overlap the light due to a greater refractive index of the lens and a curvature of the lens. For example, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the second lens <NUM> has a third surface <NUM>, a fourth surface <NUM>, and a thickness <NUM>. The third surface <NUM> may be a convex surface, and the fourth surface <NUM> may be planar or flat. The third surface <NUM> of the second lens may be positioned at or approximately at the image plane <NUM> of the first lens <NUM> so as to achieve a highest efficiency of light collection, and the fourth surface <NUM> may be positioned in contact with the photodetector <NUM>. In some implementations, there may be a small air gap between the fourth surface <NUM> and the photodetector <NUM>. The third surface <NUM> may have a third radius of curvature selected to focus the light onto the photodetector <NUM>.

The third surface <NUM> may cause the cross-sectional area of the light to become less than or equal to an area of the photodetector <NUM> at the fourth surface <NUM>. The thickness <NUM> of the second lens may be equal to a focal length of the second lens <NUM>, such that light entering the second lens <NUM> may be focused on the fourth surface <NUM> of the second lens and the photodetector <NUM>. The second lens <NUM> may have a diameter that is at least equal to the diameter of the optical fiber <NUM> multiplied by the magnification of the first lens <NUM>. The magnification of the first lens <NUM> may be the distance between the first lens <NUM> and the second lens <NUM>, divided by the distance between the output plane <NUM> of the optical fiber and the first lens <NUM>. The second lens <NUM> may optionally include a material or coating that serves as a wavelength selective (bandpass) filter. Some light may then be filtered as the light passes through the second lens as a result.

In operation, the lens system <NUM> may be configured to relay light in the following manner. Light is received at the optical fiber <NUM> of the optical communication device. Referring to <FIG>, the light is output from the optical fiber <NUM> and is input onto the first surface <NUM> of the first lens <NUM>. The light output from the optical fiber <NUM> includes ray bundles A, B, C, D, E, and F. When the light reaches the first surface <NUM>, the light has a first cross-sectional area at the first surface <NUM>.

The light then passes through the second surface <NUM> of the first lens and forms an image at the image plane <NUM>, which is at least approximately where the third surface <NUM> of the second lens <NUM> is positioned. At the image plane <NUM>, ray bundles A, C, and E intersect or overlap to form the ACE ray bundle, and ray bundles B, D, and F intersect or overlap to form the BDF ray bundle, as shown in <FIG>. At the third surface <NUM>, the light has a second cross-sectional area that is defined by the magnification of the first lens <NUM>. The second cross-sectional area may be larger, equal to, or smaller than the first cross-sectional area.

The light, including the ray bundles A, B, C, D, E, and F, passes through the second lens <NUM> and converges at the fourth surface <NUM> of the second lens, which is at least approximately where the photodetector <NUM> is positioned. The ACE ray bundle and the BDF ray bundle are split into a plurality of new ray bundles, and the plurality of new ray bundles are refracted to further intersect or overlap at the photodetector <NUM>. For example, the ACE ray bundle is split into at least ray bundles G, H, and I as the light travels through the second lens <NUM>, and the BDF ray bundle is split into at least ray bundles J, K, and L as the light travels through the second lens <NUM>. At the photodetector <NUM>, ray bundles G and J may be at least partially overlapped, ray bundles H and K may be at least partially overlapped, and ray bundles I and L may be at least partially overlapped. The light has a third cross-sectional area at the photodetector <NUM> that is smaller than the second cross-sectional area. The light may be received fully within the area of the photodetector <NUM>, and may be distributed more evenly across the area of the photodetector <NUM>.

The light received at the photodetector may be processed by the one or more processors <NUM>. The one or more processor <NUM> may then operate the optical communication device <NUM> according to the processed light. For example, the one or more processors <NUM> may determine data from the optical signal in the light or track characteristics of the optical signal. The determined data may be further transmitted through the network <NUM>, or a communication link with a remote communication device may be adjusted according to the tracked characteristics of the optical signal.

Again, the features described herein may provide a lens system that minimizes power loss and maximizes coupling efficiency. As a result, more light may be able to be captured and to be distributed more evenly across the photodetector, thereby preventing damage to the photodetector from a high peak irradiance. This, in turn, may increase the lifetime and input optical power operational range of the photodetector and the FSOC system overall. The described lens system also allows for more relaxed assembly tolerances compared to imaging configurations due to the variability of the dimensions. The magnification required for the first lens may be smaller because the second lens provides additional refraction of light towards the photodetector. Less aberration is therefore achievable using the described lens system. In addition, the second lens may serve to protect the photodetector from damage by distributing light more evenly, by filtering the light, or by acting as a physical shield to the photodetector.

Claim 1:
An optical communication device (<NUM>) comprising:
a photodetector (<NUM>);
an optical fiber (<NUM>) configured i) to receive light transmitted from a remote communication device and ii) to relay the received light, wherein the light transmitted from the remote communication device includes an optical signal;
a first lens (<NUM>) including a first surface (<NUM>) and a second surface (<NUM>) and having an image plane (<NUM>), the first lens being configured to receive, from the optical fiber, the relayed light, which has a first cross-sectional area at the first surface and further being configured to focus the relayed light at the image plane; and
a second lens (<NUM>) including a third surface (<NUM>) positioned at the image plane of the first lens and a fourth surface (<NUM>) positioned adjacent to the photodetector (<NUM>), the second lens being configured to receive the light output from the first lens and to output light having a second cross-sectional area at the fourth surface that is smaller than the first cross-sectional area.