Pointable optical transceivers for free space optical communication
US6972904B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 9, 2003 |
| Grant date | Dec 6, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 9, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04B10/40
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Optical transceivers include a diffractive optical element (DOE) attached to a surface of a prism or other optical support. The DOE is configured to direct an input optical signal to a planar or curved reflective surface, or receive an output optical signal from the planar or curved reflective surface at angles greater than a critical angle in the prism. In some examples, the optical support includes one or more curved reflective surfaces and the DOE is a hologram. Such optical transceivers include a reflective surface that is rotatable with respect to the DOE, or with respect to a selected communication direction and the DOE for selection of a transmission or reception direction. The optical supports of such optical transceivers can be mounted to a window, and include a reflective region configured to total internally reflect optical signals. Selection of a communication direction is based on a rotation of the rotatable reflective surface.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.