Apparatus and methods for transmitting signals using optical lens as a beamformer

US12051859B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• Futurewei Technologies, Inc. · US
• Phase Sensitive Innovations, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Stefano Galli · New York, US
• Munawar Kermalli · Morristown, US
• Xiao-Feng Qi · Westfield, US
• Shouyuan Shi · Newark, US
• Dennis Prather · Newark, US
• Janusz Murakowski · Bear, US
• Garrett Schneider · New Castle, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 3, 2021
• Grant date: Jul 30, 2024
• Expiry date: Apr 19, 2042

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04Q2011/0058
• WIPO field: Telecommunications
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

In certain embodiments, a system includes an optical switch matrix, an optical lens coupled to the switch matrix, and a wireless transmitter coupled to the lens. The switch matrix is configured to switch first optical signals from input ports to output ports of the switch matrix, and output second optical signals that are based at least partially on the first optical signals. The lens is configured to transform wave formats of the second optical signals based on the output ports over which the second optical signals are received. The transmitter includes an antenna array and circuitry coupled to the array. The circuitry is configured to receive the second optical signals from the lens, convert the second optical signals into beamformed wireless signals in accordance with the transformed formats, and transmit the beamformed wireless signals, which signals have spatial characteristics in accordance with the transformed formats, over the array.