Atmospheric turbulence resistant open-air optical communication system
US6243182A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 13, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jun 5, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 13, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04B10/1121
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An open-air optical communication system is provided which enhances accuracy and reliability of signal transmission by utilizing multiple optical receivers. Two or more receivers are positioned within the path of a collimated optical beam emitted by a remote transmitter. The receiving lenses are of equal size and are positioned apart in a plane perpendicular to the optical beam a distance at least as great as the receiving lens diameter. The receiving lenses thereby receive two or more signals through different optical paths. All of these signals are electronically combined to yield one composite received signal that is better than any one of the individual received signals. The system employs automated gain control circuitry to further eliminate any signal fluctuations caused by atmospheric phenomena such as turbulence, fog, smoke, dust, rain, snow, etc. By utilizing multiple receivers, degradation of the transmitted signal due to atmospheric turbulence induced optical scintillation is significantly reduced.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.