公开(公告)号：US20240333385A1

公开(公告)日：2024-10-03

申请号：US18738226

申请日：2024-06-10

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：US20240106545A1

公开(公告)日：2024-03-28

申请号：US18530604

申请日：2023-12-06

Applicant: X DEVELOPMENT LLC

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

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

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：US11611398B2

公开(公告)日：2023-03-21

申请号：US17487138

申请日：2021-09-28

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：US20200266893A1

公开(公告)日：2020-08-20

申请号：US16865489

申请日：2020-05-04

Applicant: X Development LLC

Inventor： Travis Lantz ,  Paul Csonka ,  Baris Ibrahim Erkmen

IPC: H04B10/114 ,  H04B10/077 ,  H04W16/28 ,  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：US20180088280A1

公开(公告)日：2018-03-29

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：US11804906B2

公开(公告)日：2023-10-31

申请号：US17505817

申请日：2021-10-20

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：US11716140B2

公开(公告)日：2023-08-01

申请号：US16256406

申请日：2019-01-24

Applicant: X Development LLC

Inventor： Paul Csonka ,  Klaus Ulander ,  Baris Ibrahim Erkmen

IPC: H04B10/112 ,  H04B10/11 ,  G02B7/182 ,  G02B26/08

CPC classification number: H04B10/11 ,  G02B7/1821 ,  G02B7/1827 ,  G02B26/0833 ,  H04B10/1123

Abstract: The disclosure provides a system for transmitting and receiving optical signals. The system includes a first mirror of a communication device, a first mirror actuator configured to control a pointing direction of the first mirror, a second mirror of the communication device, a second mirror actuator configured to control a pointing direction of the second mirror, and one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to direct the second mirror actuator to move the second mirror to track a signal within a zone in an area of coverage of the communication device and meanwhile keep the first mirror stationary at a first angle. The one or more processors are also configured to direct the first mirror actuator to move the first mirror to a second angle in a direction of motion of the signal when the signal reaches an edge of the zone and meanwhile move the second mirror to a default angle.

公开(公告)号：US20230224064A1

公开(公告)日：2023-07-13

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 ,  H04B10/112 ,  H04B10/079

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

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：US11606160B1

公开(公告)日：2023-03-14

申请号：US17572027

申请日：2022-01-10

Applicant: X Development LLC

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

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

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：US20220107473A1

公开(公告)日：2022-04-07

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

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.