公开(公告)号：US20210028866A1

公开(公告)日：2021-01-28

申请号：US17066624

申请日：2020-10-09

Applicant: X DEVELOPMENT LLC

Inventor： Bruce Moision ,  Devin Brinkley ,  Baris Ibrahim Erkmen

IPC: 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：US20200228209A1

公开(公告)日：2020-07-16

申请号：US16529337

申请日：2019-08-01

Applicant: X Development LLC

Inventor： Bruce Moision ,  Devin Brinkley ,  Baris Ibrahim Erkmen

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

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：US20180172915A1

公开(公告)日：2018-06-21

申请号：US15861073

申请日：2018-01-03

Applicant: X Development LLC

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

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

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：US20250020968A1

公开(公告)日：2025-01-16

申请号：US18904295

申请日：2024-10-02

Applicant: X Development LLC

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

IPC: G02F1/295 ,  G02B6/12 ,  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.

公开(公告)号：US11996886B2

公开(公告)日：2024-05-28

申请号：US17890378

申请日：2022-08-18

Applicant: X DEVELOPMENT LLC

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

IPC: H04B10/00 ,  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：US20240022331A1

公开(公告)日：2024-01-18

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 ,  H04B10/5055 ,  H04B10/5051 ,  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：US11817943B2

公开(公告)日：2023-11-14

申请号：US18164879

申请日：2023-02-06

Applicant: X Development LLC

Inventor： Paul Csonka ,  Travis Lantz ,  Baris Ibrahim Erkmen ,  Devin Brinkley

IPC: H04J14/02 ,  H04B10/079 ,  H04B10/112

CPC classification number: H04J14/0221 ,  H04B10/07955 ,  H04B10/1123

Abstract: The technology employs a state-based power control loop (PCL) architecture to maintain tracking and communication signal-to-noise ratios at suitable levels for optimal tracking performance and data throughput in a free-space optical communication system. Power for a link is adjustable to stay within a functional range of receiving sensors in order to provide continuous service to users. This avoids oversaturation and possible damage to the equipment. The approach can include decreasing or increasing the power to counteract a surge or drop while maintaining a near constant received power at a remote communication device. The system may receive power adjustment feedback from another communication terminal and perform state-based power control according to the received feedback. This can include re-initializing and reacquiring a link with the other communication terminal automatically after loss of power, without human intervention. There may be a default state and discrete states including rain, fade, surge and unstable states.

公开(公告)号：US11705967B2

公开(公告)日：2023-07-18

申请号：US17867858

申请日：2022-07-19

Applicant: X DEVELOPMENT LLC

Inventor： Travis Lantz ,  Paul Csonka ,  Baris Ibrahim Erkmen

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

CPC classification number: H04B10/1149 ,  H04B10/079 ,  H04B10/0779 ,  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：US20230085936A1

公开(公告)日：2023-03-23

申请号：US17890378

申请日：2022-08-18

Applicant: X DEVELOPMENT LLC

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

IPC: H04B10/112 ,  H04B10/50

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：US11431411B2

公开(公告)日：2022-08-30

申请号：US17070585

申请日：2020-10-14

Applicant: X Development LLC

Inventor： Travis Lantz ,  Paul Csonka ,  Baris Ibrahim Erkmen

IPC: H04B10/00 ,  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.