公开(公告)号：US09971095B2

公开(公告)日：2018-05-15

申请号：US14959068

申请日：2015-12-04

Applicant: X Development LLC

Inventor： Nam-Hyong Kim ,  Baris Ibrahim Erkmen ,  Edward Allen Keyes ,  Robert Todd Belt

IPC: G02B6/293 ,  G02B27/14 ,  G02B6/26 ,  H04L5/14 ,  H04Q11/00

CPC classification number: G02B6/29395 ,  G02B6/262 ,  G02B6/29361 ,  G02B27/141 ,  H04B10/1125 ,  H04B10/1129 ,  H04B10/118 ,  H04L5/14 ,  H04Q11/0005 ,  H04Q2011/0016 ,  H04Q2011/0026

Abstract: An optical communication terminal is configured to operate in two different complementary modes of full duplex communication. In one mode, the terminal transmits light having a first wavelength and receives light having a second wavelength along a common free space optical path. In the other mode, the terminal transmits light having the second wavelength and receives light having the first wavelength. The terminal includes a steering mirror that directs light to and from a dichroic element that creates different optical paths depending on wavelength, and also includes spatially separated emitters and detectors for the two wavelengths. A first complementary emitter/detector pair is used in one mode, and a second pair is used for the other mode. The system also includes at least two ferrules. Each ferrule operates with a single emitter/detector pair. The ferrules are designed to operate interchangeably with either emitter/detector pair.

公开(公告)号：US09720243B1

公开(公告)日：2017-08-01

申请号：US14986036

申请日：2015-12-31

Applicant: X Development LLC

Inventor： Robert Todd Belt ,  Nam-hyong Kim ,  Baris Ibrahim Erkmen ,  Edward Allen Keyes

IPC: H04B10/00 ,  G02B27/14 ,  G02B17/04 ,  H04B10/572 ,  H04B10/508

CPC classification number: G02B27/145 ,  G02B17/04 ,  G02B27/141 ,  H04B10/508 ,  H04B10/572

Abstract: An example beam splitting apparatus is assembled from multiple prisms that are assembled together along respective mating surfaces to form a single monolithic optical device. The beam splitting apparatus includes optical features, such as dichroic and reflective surfaces, that define optical paths for light that enters the beam splitting apparatus. The optical features allow photons in the light to be directed along different optical paths based on their wavelengths. The optical features in the beam splitting apparatus are provided by coatings, films, and/or surface treatments applied to any of the faces of the prisms. In particular, coatings, films, and/or surface treatments are applied to the mating surfaces of the prisms so that the optical features are internal to the assembled monolithic optical device. The beam splitting apparatus may be implemented in a communication terminal that exchanges data modulated light according to frequency-division duplex communications.

公开(公告)号：US12153324B2

公开(公告)日：2024-11-26

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: H04B10/25 ,  G02B6/124 ,  G02F1/295 ,  H04B10/548 ,  G02B6/12

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.

公开(公告)号：US12081266B2

公开(公告)日：2024-09-03

申请号：US18205167

申请日：2023-06-02

Applicant: X DEVELOPMENT LLC

Inventor： Travis Lantz ,  Paul Csonka ,  Baris Ibrahim Erkmen

IPC: H04B10/00 ,  H04B10/077 ,  H04B10/079 ,  H04B10/114 ,  H04W16/28

CPC classification number: H04B10/1149 ,  H04B10/0779 ,  H04B10/079 ,  H04B10/1143 ,  H04W16/28

Abstract: The disclosure provides for a method for reacquiring a communication link between a first communication device and a second communication device. The method includes using one or more processors of the first communication device to receive historical data related to the first communication device and an environment surrounding the first communication device. The one or more processors are then used to determine one or more trends in the historical data related to fading of the communication link. Based on the one or more trends, the one or more processors are used to determine a starting time and an initial search direction for a search for the communication link. The one or more processors then execute the search at the starting time from the initial search direction.

公开(公告)号：US20240275484A1

公开(公告)日：2024-08-15

申请号：US18642915

申请日：2024-04-23

Applicant: X DEVELOPMENT LLC

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

IPC: H04B10/112 ,  H04B10/50

CPC classification number: H04B10/112 ,  H04B10/503

Abstract: A free-space optical communication system includes an optical phased array (OPA) photonic integrated chip, a transceiver photonic integrated chip, and one or more processors. The OPA chip includes a plurality of array elements and a plurality of phase shifters. The transceiver chip includes one or more transmitter components and one or more receiver components. The one or more processors are configured to transmit a first signal via the OPA chip and the transceiver chip, and receive a second signal via the OPA chip and the transceiver chip.

公开(公告)号：US11909452B2

公开(公告)日：2024-02-20

申请号：US18112081

申请日：2023-02-21

Applicant: X DEVELOPMENT LLC

Inventor： Bruce Moision ,  Devin Brinkley ,  Baris Ibrahim Erkmen

IPC: H04B10/80 ,  H04B10/291 ,  H04B10/564

CPC classification number: H04B10/80 ,  H04B10/291 ,  H04B10/564

Abstract: An optical communication system includes an optical transmitter and one or more processors. The optical transmitter is configured to output an optical signal, and includes an average-power-limited optical amplifier, such as an erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA). The one or more processors are configured to receive optical signal data related to a received power for a communication link from a remote communication system and determine that the optical signal data is likely to fall below a minimum received power within a time interval. In response to the determination, the one or more processors are configured to determine a duty cycle of the optical transmitter based on a minimum on-cycle length and a predicted EDFA output power and operate the optical transmitter using the determined duty cycle to transmit an on-cycle power that is no less than the minimum required receiver power for error-free operation of the communication link.

公开(公告)号：US20230318705A1

公开(公告)日：2023-10-05

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：US20230208533A1

公开(公告)日：2023-06-29

申请号：US18112081

申请日：2023-02-21

Applicant: X DEVELOPMENT LLC

Inventor： Bruce Moision ,  Devin Brinkley ,  Baris Ibrahim Erkmen

IPC: H04B10/80 ,  H04B10/291 ,  H04B10/564

CPC classification number: H04B10/80 ,  H04B10/291 ,  H04B10/564

Abstract: An optical communication system includes an optical transmitter and one or more processors. The optical transmitter is configured to output an optical signal, and includes an average-power-limited optical amplifier, such as an erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA). The one or more processors are configured to receive optical signal data related to a received power for a communication link from a remote communication system and determine that the optical signal data is likely to fall below a minimum received power within a time interval. In response to the determination, the one or more processors are configured to determine a duty cycle of the optical transmitter based on a minimum on-cycle length and a predicted EDFA output power and operate the optical transmitter using the determined duty cycle to transmit an on-cycle power that is no less than the minimum required receiver power for error-free operation of the communication link.

公开(公告)号：US20220352984A1

公开(公告)日：2022-11-03

申请号：US17867858

申请日：2022-07-19

Applicant: X Development LLC

Inventor： Travis Lantz ,  Paul Csonka ,  Baris Ibrahim Erkmen

IPC: H04B10/114 ,  H04W16/28 ,  H04B10/077 ,  H04B10/079

Abstract: The disclosure provides for a method for reacquiring a communication link between a first communication device and a second communication device. The method includes using one or more processors of the first communication device to receive historical data related to the first communication device and an environment surrounding the first communication device. The one or more processors are then used to determine one or more trends in the historical data related to fading of the communication link. Based on the one or more trends, the one or more processors are used to determine a starting time and an initial search direction for a search for the communication link. The one or more processors then execute the search at the starting time from the initial search direction.

公开(公告)号：US11454769B2

公开(公告)日：2022-09-27

申请号：US17062169

申请日：2020-10-02

Applicant: X DEVELOPMENT LLC

Inventor： Devin Brinkley ,  Paul Csonka ,  Sanam Mozaffari ,  Baris Ibrahim Erkmen

IPC: H04B10/00 ,  G02B6/42 ,  H04B10/69 ,  H04B10/25 ,  H04B10/112

Abstract: A free-space optical communication device includes an optical fiber bundle and one or more processors. The optical fiber bundle includes a central fiber connected to a first photodetector, and a plurality of surrounding fibers, each surrounding fiber connected to a corresponding second photodetector. The one or more processors are in communication with the first photodetector and each second photodetector. The one or more processors are also configured to receive a current or voltage generated at the first photodetector and each second photodetector and to determine a pointing accuracy of a beam received at the optical fiber bundle based on the current or voltage generated at the second photodetectors.