公开(公告)号：US20200228202A1

公开(公告)日：2020-07-16

申请号：US16436278

申请日：2019-06-10

Applicant: X DEVELOPMENT LLC

Inventor： Nam-hyong Kim ,  Andrei Kazmierski ,  Devin Brinkley

IPC: H04B10/116 ,  G02B27/00 ,  G02B13/14 ,  G02B5/20 ,  H04B10/40

Abstract: The disclosure provides for a free-space optical communication system that includes a first lens group, a field corrector lens, and a second lens group. The first lens group is configured to receive light received from a remote free-space optical transmitter. The first lens group has a first focal plane. The field corrector lens is positioned between the first lens group and the first focal plane of the first lens group and positioned closer to the first focal plane than the first lens group. The first lens group also is made of material having an index of refraction of at least 2.0, and has a second focal plane. The second lens group is positioned at the second focal plane of the field corrector lens and is configured to couple light to a sensor.

公开(公告)号：US20190222365A1

公开(公告)日：2019-07-18

申请号：US16363020

申请日：2019-03-25

Applicant: X Development LLC

Inventor： Bruce Moision ,  Edward Keyes ,  Oliver Bowen ,  Devin Brinkley ,  Baris Erkmen

IPC: H04L1/18 ,  H04B10/112

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide techniques for automatic repeat request (ARQ) in a free-space optical communication (FSOC) architecture. These techniques, including block-selective ARQ, adaptive retransmission delay, and random seed scrambling, can be used individually or in combination to combat problems involving frame loss or corruption. These techniques enable the system to rapidly recover by streamlining the retransmission process. For instance, block-selective ARQ acknowledges variable length blocks of frames in the return stream from the receiver to the transmitter. Adaptive retransmission delay allows the retransmission delay to grow in the absence of feedback by the receiver, up to some defined limit. And with random seed sampling, a scrambling sequence is incorporated to aid with frame syncing, which avoids the need for a line code. These aspects of the technology provide a robust communication process, and also reduce overhead costs associated with unnecessary retransmissions.

公开(公告)号：US10333617B2

公开(公告)日：2019-06-25

申请号：US15633252

申请日：2017-06-26

Applicant: X Development LLC

Inventor： Bruce Moision ,  Baris Erkmen ,  Devin Brinkley

IPC: H04B10/079 ,  H04B10/112 ,  H04B10/11 ,  H04B10/516 ,  H04L27/36 ,  H04L27/38 ,  H04B10/54

Abstract: A data rate at which data can be transmitted is adapted in real-time to power fluctuations. Bits of data to be sent by a transmitter are mapped to physical symbols, where a first modulation uses a first number of bits per pulse and a second modulation uses a second number of bits per pulse. Both modulations are sent, with one nested inside the other. A receiver decodes one or both bit streams, depending on a signal to noise ratio (SNR). In this regard, the data rate traces the received power, and higher data rates may be used despite periods of power fluctuations. This technique enables rapid, or even instantaneous, changes by using nested modulation. Moreover, a fast feedback mechanism is used to inform the transmitter when to change its modulation and to retransmit bits lost during an initial transmission.

公开(公告)号：US20180183516A1

公开(公告)日：2018-06-28

申请号：US15633252

申请日：2017-06-26

Applicant: X Development LLC

Inventor： Bruce Moision ,  Baris Erkmen ,  Devin Brinkley

IPC: H04B10/079 ,  H04B10/516 ,  H04L27/36 ,  H04L27/38 ,  H04B10/11

CPC classification number: H04B10/07955 ,  H04B10/11 ,  H04B10/5161 ,  H04B10/541 ,  H04L27/36 ,  H04L27/38

Abstract: A data rate at which data can be transmitted is adapted in real-time to power fluctuations. Bits of data to be sent by a transmitter are mapped to physical symbols, where a first modulation uses a first number of bits per pulse and a second modulation uses a second number of bits per pulse. Both modulations are sent, with one nested inside the other. A receiver decodes one or both bit streams, depending on a signal to noise ratio (SNR). In this regard, the data rate traces the received power, and higher data rates may be used despite periods of power fluctuations. This technique enables rapid, or even instantaneous, changes by using nested modulation. Moreover, a fast feedback mechanism is used to inform the transmitter when to change its modulation and to retransmit bits lost during an initial transmission.

公开(公告)号：US12132523B2

公开(公告)日：2024-10-29

申请号：US18475405

申请日：2023-09-27

Applicant: X DEVELOPMENT LLC

Inventor： Baris Ibrahim Erkmen ,  Devin Brinkley ,  Paul Epp ,  John Moody

IPC: H04B10/50 ,  H04B10/548

CPC classification number: H04B10/5053 ,  H04B10/5051 ,  H04B10/5055 ,  H04B10/548

Abstract: A system includes a transmitter configured to output an optical signal. The transmitter includes a seed laser, an optical array including a plurality of array elements, and a plurality of phase shifters in a multi-layer arrangement. The multi-layer arrangement includes a plurality of layers between the seed laser and the optical array, wherein a first layer of the plurality of layers transmits light to a second layer of the plurality of layers. The first layer has fewer phase shifters than the second layer. The multi-layer arrangement also includes a plurality of branches wherein each branch includes a phase shifter from each of the plurality of layers connected in series between the seed laser and one of the plurality of array elements. Each phase shifter is configured to shift the optical signal incrementally to amass a total phase shift for each of the plurality of array elements.

公开(公告)号：US12034478B2

公开(公告)日：2024-07-09

申请号：US17709544

申请日：2022-03-31

Applicant: X Development LLC

Inventor： Paul Csonka ,  Baris Ibrahim Erkmen ,  Devin Brinkley

IPC: H04B10/11

CPC classification number: H04B10/11

Abstract: The technology relates to free-space optical communication systems that correct for errors in tracking and pointing accuracy to maintain connection integrity. Such systems can both proactively and reactively correct for errors in tracking performance and pointing accuracy of terminals within the system. An aspect includes receiving information indicative of at least one external disturbance associated with a communication device. A determination is made for a proactive estimation indicative of a first error associated with an effect of the at least one external disturbance at a current timestep. A determination is made for a reactive estimation indicative of a second error associated with the effect of the at least one external disturbance at a previous timestep. A final control signal is determined based on the proactive estimation and the reactive estimation. A controller is able to actuate an optical assembly of the communication device based on the determined final control signal.

公开(公告)号：US20240195500A1

公开(公告)日：2024-06-13

申请号：US18298532

申请日：2023-04-11

Applicant: X Development LLC

Inventor： Ondrej Cierny ,  Paul Epp ,  Jean-Laurent Plateau ,  Bruce Moision ,  Joaquin Matres Abril ,  Devin Brinkley

IPC: H04B10/11

CPC classification number: H04B10/11

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a method of adjusting a plurality of phase shifters of an OPA. The method may include identifying, by one or more processors, one or more first subsets of phase shifters of the plurality of phase shifters based on an orthogonal set of functions; performing, by the one or more processors, one or more first dithers on the one or more first subsets of phase shifters of the plurality of phase shifters using one or more first frequencies of a predetermined set of frequencies; determining, by the one or more processors, one or more first corrections based on a first power output of the OPA resulting from the one or more first dithers; and adjusting, by the one or more processors, the one or more first subsets using the one or more first corrections, the adjustment resulting in a first set of corrected phase shifter values.

公开(公告)号：US20240192487A1

公开(公告)日：2024-06-13

申请号：US18234197

申请日：2023-08-15

Applicant: X Development LLC

Inventor： Paul Epp ,  Andrei Kazmierski ,  Devin Brinkley

IPC: G02B27/00 ,  G02B5/18 ,  G02F1/29 ,  H04B10/112

CPC classification number: G02B27/0087 ,  G02B5/1885 ,  G02F1/292 ,  H04B10/1123

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a system including a first optical communications terminal comprising. The first optical communications terminal may include a common aperture for transmitting signals and receiving signals. The first optical communications terminal may also include an optical phased array (OPA) architecture including a micro-lens array including a plurality of micro-lenses. Each micro-lens of the plurality of micro-lenses may have a plurality of concentric grooves arranged on a respective surface of that micro-lens. The OPA architecture may be configured for bidirectional communication with a second optical communications terminal.

公开(公告)号：US11888530B2

公开(公告)日：2024-01-30

申请号：US17698224

申请日：2022-03-18

Applicant: X DEVELOPMENT LLC

Inventor： Baris Ibrahim Erkmen ,  Devin Brinkley ,  Eric Teller ,  Thomas Moore ,  Jean-Laurent Plateau

IPC: H04B10/61 ,  G01S7/481 ,  G02F1/29 ,  G02B27/00 ,  G01S17/66

CPC classification number: H04B10/614 ,  G01S7/4817 ,  G01S17/66 ,  G02B27/0087 ,  G02F1/292

Abstract: The optical tracking module includes an optical phased array (OPA), an analog drive, an integrated photodetector, and one or more processors. The OPA includes a plurality of array elements, and a plurality of phase shifters. The analog drive is configured to adjust the plurality of phase shifters. The integrated photodetector is configured to receive light from the OPA. The one or more processors is configured to extract signal information of an incoming beam via the OPA, and control an outgoing beam using the analog drive based on the signal information. The OPA, the analog drive, the integrated photodetector and the one or more processors are in an integrated circuit.

公开(公告)号：US20230100620A1

公开(公告)日：2023-03-30

申请号：US17897410

申请日：2022-08-29

Applicant: X DEVELOPMENT LLC

Inventor： Devin Brinkley ,  Baris Ibrahim Erkmen ,  Joaquin Matres Abril ,  Paul Epp

IPC: G02F1/295 ,  G02B6/124 ,  H04B10/548

Abstract: An optical phased array (OPA) photonic integrated chip includes a plurality of array elements, a plurality of phase shifters, a plurality of combiners, and an edge coupler configured to couple to a single mode waveguide. The plurality of phase shifters includes a layer of phase shifters that has a phase shifter connected to each array element in the plurality of array elements. The plurality of combiners is configured to connect the plurality of phase shifters to the edge coupler. The plurality of combiners includes a first combiner that has a first output that is connected to a second combiner or the edge coupler, and a second output of the first combiner is connected to a photodetector. An in-phase light portion at the first combiner is output through the first output, and an out-of-phase light portion at the first combiner is output through the second output.