-
公开(公告)号:US10461855B1
公开(公告)日:2019-10-29
申请号:US16164066
申请日:2018-10-18
Applicant: X Development LLC
Inventor: Paul Csonka , Edward Allen Keyes
Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide for a method of forming a communication link between two communication devices using a primary search pattern and a secondary search pattern. A misalignment between a first optical system of a first communication device and a second optical system of a second communication device is detected. The first optical system is rotated according to the primary search pattern, and the second optical system according to the secondary search pattern. At the second communication device, a set of frames is captured. Then, it is determined whether a beacon beam transmitted from the first communication device is detected in the one or more of the captured frames. When it is determined that the beacon beam is detected, the communication link is formed between the first communication device and the second communication device.
-
公开(公告)号:US09939651B1
公开(公告)日:2018-04-10
申请号:US15664424
申请日:2017-07-31
Applicant: X Development LLC
Inventor: Robert Todd Belt , Nam-hyong Kim , Baris Ibrahim Erkmen , Edward Allen Keyes
IPC: G02B27/14 , H04B10/508 , H04B10/572 , G02B17/04
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:US10763960B1
公开(公告)日:2020-09-01
申请号:US16257677
申请日:2019-01-25
Applicant: X Development LLC
Inventor: Martin Schubert , Sylvia Smullin , Edward Allen Keyes
IPC: H04B10/112 , H04Q11/00
Abstract: The disclosure provides for a system that includes a plurality of stations equipped for free-space optical communications (FSOC) in a network and a central control system. At least one station in the plurality of stations includes a wavelength selectable switch, an OEO module, and one or more first processors. The one or more first processors are configured to control the wavelength selectable switch, process an electrical signal that is extracted using the OEO module, and communicate with the central control system. The central control system includes one or more second processors that are configured to receive data regarding FSOC communication conditions at the plurality of stations, determine a path between stations through the network based on the received data, and transmit instructions to the plurality of stations.
-
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
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:US10686522B1
公开(公告)日:2020-06-16
申请号:US16570517
申请日:2019-09-13
Applicant: X Development LLC
Inventor: Paul Csonka , Edward Allen Keyes
Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide for a method of forming a communication link between two communication devices using a primary search pattern and a secondary search pattern. A misalignment between a first optical system of a first communication device and a second optical system of a second communication device is detected. The first optical system is rotated according to the primary search pattern, and the second optical system according to the secondary search pattern. At the second communication device, a set of frames is captured. Then, it is determined whether a beacon beam transmitted from the first communication device is detected in the one or more of the captured frames. When it is determined that the beacon beam is detected, the communication link is formed between the first communication device and the second communication device.
-
公开(公告)号:US10162044B2
公开(公告)日:2018-12-25
申请号:US15019772
申请日:2016-02-09
Applicant: X Development LLC
Inventor: Richard Wayne DeVaul , Waleed Kadous , Eric Teller , Cliff Biffle , Edward Allen Keyes
IPC: G01S5/04 , G01S1/02 , G01S1/04 , G01S1/20 , G01S5/02 , G01S19/03 , G01S19/24 , G01S5/00 , G01S5/12 , G01S5/14 , G01S5/16
Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a balloon-based positioning system and method. In one example embodiment, a system includes at least three balloons, with each balloon including a position-determining module (PDM) and a position-broadcasting module (PBM). Each PDM is configured for determining a position of the respective balloon and each PBM is configured for broadcasting a balloon signal containing balloon-positioning data of the respective balloon. The balloon-positioning data includes the determined position of the respective balloon and a corresponding time of broadcast.
-
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
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:US11146331B1
公开(公告)日:2021-10-12
申请号:US16935412
申请日:2020-07-22
Applicant: X Development LLC
Inventor: Martin Schubert , Sylvia Smullin , Edward Allen Keyes
IPC: H04B10/112 , H04B10/118 , H04Q11/00
Abstract: The disclosure provides for a system that includes a plurality of stations equipped for free-space optical communications (FSOC) in a network and a central control system. At least one station in the plurality of stations includes a wavelength selectable switch, an OEO module, and one or more first processors. The one or more first processors are configured to control the wavelength selectable switch, process an electrical signal that is extracted using the OEO module, and communicate with the central control system. The central control system includes one or more second processors that are configured to receive data regarding FSOC communication conditions at the plurality of stations, determine a path between stations through the network based on the received data, and transmit instructions to the plurality of stations.
-
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
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.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-