Texas Instruments Corporation

Robert C Keller

Jose L Melendez

Richard A Carr

John Walter Orcutt

Andrew Steven Dewa

Dwight Urban Bartholomew

Luisa Angelica Zepeda

An optical, line-of-sight modem. The modem includes a micro-mirror assembly including a micro-mirror and including an actuator for providing rotational movement to the micro-mirror, the micro-mirror being controllable by predetermined control signals. The modem includes a source of electronic data signals, and a source of light having a narrow beam of light directed at the micro-mirror. Means are provided for converting the electronic data signals to optical signals modulating the beam of light. Means are also provided for controlling the micro-mirror so as to maintain the micro-mirror in a predetermined position for data communication.

Optical wireless link

A micromirror array assembly () for use in optical modules () in a wireless network system is disclosed. The micromirror array assembly () includes a plurality of mirrors () monolithically formed with a frame (), attached by way of hinges () and gimbal portions (). Permanent magnets () are attached to each of the gimbal portions () associated with the mirrors (). The resulting frame () is then mounted to a coil driver assembly () so that coil drivers () can control the rotation of each mirror (), under separate control from control circuitry (). The micromirror array assembly () is thus able to support higher signal energy at larger spot sizes, and also enables multiplexed transmission and receipt, as well as sampling of the received beam for quality sensing. A method of manufacturing the micromirror array assembly () is also disclosed, in which a support wafer () is temporarily bonded to the mirror wafer () while the permanent magnets () are attached.

Cooperating array of micromirror devices for wireless optical communication

An optical communication transmitter (), receiver (), and transceiver () having distinctive retro-reflective elements () and/or reflectivity that can be modulated. In one embodiment, the retro-reflective elements () can have different shapes or patterns (), irrespective of rotation or size. In another embodiment, the retro-reflective elements can have their reflectivity modulated () to have a distinctive pattern in time. The solution also provides the capability to direct a remote optical receiver () to an available port () with an appropriate FOV. In the case where retro-reflective elements are only shape distinctive, a method may be used to direct the remote OWLink () to an appropriate port () of the hub (). In addition to the hub ports () used for data links, additional hub ports called command ports () are added that are only used during the initial link setup of remote units. The hub () contains enough command ports () such that one command port covers each possible FOV. All command ports contain the same retro-reflective element shape that is very distinct from other hub shapes, e.g. the largest.

Optical wireless multiport hub

Disclosed is apparatus and method for establishing and maintaining optical data transfer between a first optical communications device ( ) and a second optical communications device ( ). The devices have a feedback communications link ( ) therebetween. An optical signal ( ), having a predetermined signal profile ( ), is transmitted from a transmission source ( ) within the first optical communications device to an optical receiver ( ) within the second optical communications device. The predetermined signal profile is transmitted from the first device, via the feedback communications link, to the second device. The signal profile ( ) of the optical signal as received by the optical receiver is determined, and compared with the predetermined signal profile to quantify any misalignment or movement of the optical signal with respect to the optical receiver. The transmission of the optical signal is then adjusted by a directing member ( ) responsive to the results of the compared profiles to align and center the optical signal with respect to the optical receiver. Once properly align, the optical signal may be utilized for high speed, high bandwidth data transmission.

System for acquiring and maintaining reliable optical wireless links

A packaged micromirror assembly ( &prime;) is disclosed. The assembly ( &prime;) includes a mirror element ( ) having a mirror surface ( ) that can rotate in two axes. Magnets ( ) are attached to the mirror element ( ), to permit rotation of the mirror surface ( ) responsive to the energizing of coil drivers ( ). A sensor ( ) is disposed under the mirror surface ( ) to detect mirror orientation. In one aspect of the invention, the sensor ( ) includes a light source such as an LED ( ) that imparts light through an aperture ( ) at the underside of the mirror surface ( ). Light detectors ( ) are arranged at varying angles, and detect relative intensity of light reflected from the underside of the mirror surface ( ), from which the rotational position of the mirror ( ) can be derived. According to another aspect of the invention, a conical sensor ( ) with multiple insulated segmented capacitor plates are arranged under the mirror surface ( ). Variations in the capacitance between the mirror ( ) and the various segments of the sensor ( ) indicate the position of the mirror ( ). A calibration memory ( ) may be provided, to store calibration values so that the sensor ( ) can be nulled with the mirror ( ).

Packaged micromirror assembly with in-package mirror position feedback

An optical system includes a light source , such as a laser diode. A rotatable mirror is positioned to receive a light beam from the light source . A collimating lens is positioned to receive a reflected light beam from the rotatable mirror . The collimating lens preferably has a focal length that is about equal to the sum of the distance between the light source and the mirror and the mirror and the lens

Method and system for steering a collimated light beam with a pivotable mirror

A method for controlling an optical, path-to-sight link, the optical link including a source of light having a beam of light, a controllable beam steering device and an actuator to permit steering the light beam, the beam steering device being controllable by predetermined control signals. The method includes the following steps. The beam steering device is controlled so as to scan the beam of light in a first predetermined pattern. First direction is received data from a remote receiver including a light detector, the direction data corresponding to a direction of the beam at which the scanned beam of light is detected by the light detector. Responsive to the first direction data, a first beam direction is determined for data communication from the link to the receiver. The beam steering device is controlled to maintain a communications beam direction corresponding to the first beam direction. The beam of light is modulated with electronic signals.

Method for establishing and maintaining optical, open-air communications link

A surface plasmon resonance sensor includes a light source 10 and a polarizer 18 for producing polarized light which passes through a transparent body 12 and strikes a thin conductive film 26 disposed on the exterior surface of the body 12. The film 26 exhibits surface plasmon resonance when the light strikes the film at a 'resonance angle'. By determining the angle at which surface plasmon resonance occurs, the refractive index of the material on the side of the film 26 opposite to the side which reflects the polarized light can be measured.

Integrally formed surface plasmon resonance sensor

A surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor includes a transparent base housing 12 and a detachable optical housing 19. Radiation from a radiation source 10, disposed within base housing 12, is polarized by polarizing filter 16 and passes through the interface between base housing 12 and optical housing 19. The polarized radiation 18 is reflected from a mirror 20 onto a SPR layer 22, which is formed on an exterior surface of optical housing 19. Layer 22 comprises a thin layer of a conductive material. Radiation 24 reflected from SPR layer 22 re-enters housing 19 and strikes an array 28 of photodetectors. From the intensity of radiation at each photodetector, one can determine the index of refraction of the substance on the opposite side of SPR layer 22.

Growing community of inventors

Plano, TX, United States of America

Robert C Keller