Terabeam Corporation

John J Schuster

John A Bell

David Bajorins

James Stocker Webb

Richard Dennis Rallison

Randy Hulett

Robert M Pierce

Richard Brian Riday

Mark R Pratt

Derek E Schulte

Charles Gregory Amadon

Harold Alexander Brown

Eric Joseph Davis

Apparatus and methods for implementing a high-power or high-sensitivity tracking mode of operation in a free-space optical communication system are disclosed. Functions of the high-power or high-sensitivity tracking mode may be implemented in response to one or more engage signals generated and transmitted in response to a sensed inclement weather condition, such as fog or the like, which may interfere with communication of an optical signal between a pair of free-space optical terminals in the free-space optical communication system. Implementation of the high-power or high-sensitivity tracking mode facilitates maintenance of the alignment between the pair of free-space optical terminals throughout the duration of the inclement weather condition to allow data communication to resume fully after the inclement weather condition has diminished.

High-sensitivity tracking in free-space optical communication systems

Apparatus, system, and method for enabling eye-to-eye contact in video conferences. In general, the system and apparatus employ means for generating video images corresponding to real images that would be produced if a video camera were disposed at or behind a video display having a field of view directed toward a target object such as a participant. An image (either real, reflected, or holographic) is formed based on light reflected off of the target object, and object light corresponding to the image is received by the video camera, which produces a video signal containing the image. Typically, the means for generating the video images employs direct imaging, reflective imaging, or holographic imaging. The means for generating the video images are also configured in such a manner as to be substantially transparent to video conference participants viewing the display images on the video display. A similar configuration is deployed at two or more conference rooms, thereby enabling participants to communicate with one another using eye-to-eye contact.

Apparatus, system and method for enabling eye-to-eye contact in video conferences

A baffle containing a plurality of small apertures is mounted on the receiver aperture of an optical receiver, such as a wireless optical telecommunication system receiver. The baffle attenuates ambient radiation that may interfere with the optical receiver. The baffle includes a plurality of apertures that have their axes substantially parallel to the optical axis of the receiver.

Optical receiver having baffle including a plurality of apertures

A holographic optical element (HOE) device is mounted in a receiver unit, such as a wireless optical telecommunication system receiver. The HOE device includes a developed emulsion material having an interference pattern recorded thereon, sandwiched between a pair of elements, such as a pair of clear glass plates. In operation, the HOE device uses the recorded interference pattern to diffract incident light rays towards an optical processing unit of the system receiver. The optical processing unit includes a photodetector that detects the diffracted light rays. The system receiver can include various other components and/or can have various configurations. In one configuration, a plurality of mirrors is used to control the direction of the light rays coming from the HOE device, and a collimating optical assembly collimates these light rays. A beam splitting optical assembly can be used to split the light rays into a tracking channel and a communication channel.

System and method for using a holographic optical element in a wireless telecommunication system receiver

A holographic optical element (HOE) device useable for an optical receiver system has a first element having first and second surfaces, with the first surface being positionable to face incident light rays. The incident light rays can comprise laser light having data modulated thereon. An emulsion material is disposed over the second surface of the first element and has a recorded interference pattern that diffracts the incident light rays that pass through the first element. A second element overlies the emulsion material and is structured to pass resulting light rays derived from the incident light rays and diffracted from the recorded interference pattern. A plurality of reflective elements are positioned adjacent to the first and second elements. The reflective elements fold the resulting light rays within the second element, thereby allowing a reduction in separation length between the emulsion material and receiver electronics.

Apparatus and method for receiving optical telecommunication transmissions by using a holographic optical element

A mount for an electro-optic system, such as an optical transceiver system, is usable to compensate for motion that affects alignment with respect to an optical communication signal. The mount can include inner and outer elements having pivots spaced 90 degrees apart relative to each other. The outer element is fixed, and the inner element is capable of movement. The electro-optic system is pivotally coupled to the inner element. A first set of pivot elements between the inner element and the outer element allows rotation about a first axis, while a second set of pivot elements between the electro-optic system and the inner element allows rotation about a second axis, which may be orthogonal to the first axis.

Apparatus and method to mount electro-optic systems

A cover plate on a holographic optical element (HOE) device corrects for aberrations, such as spherical aberrations. The HOE device includes an emulsion material, having a recorded interference pattern that can perform diffraction, sandwiched between a first element and a second element, wherein the second element functions as the cover plate. One of the surfaces of the second element is aspheric to correct for aberrations. The aspheric shape of the surface adds approximately equal and approximately opposite aberrations associated with light rays diffracted by the recorded interference pattern, thereby substantially improving focus.

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Bellevue, WA, United States of America

John J Schuster