Title:
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ALIGNING OPTICAL WIRELESS LINKS
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO2002086555
Kind Code:
A3
Abstract:
Optical wireless links (4, 6) automatically align themselves using feedback information that is transmitted over the light beams (16, 20) being aligned. Each link (4, 6) performs an acquisition routine in which its light beam is swept through a pre-defined pattern while transmitting its beam alignment information. When a link (4, 6) receives beam alignment information from a remote link, it updates its transmission to include the alignment information received from the remote link. At some point, during the acquisition routine, the remote link will receive its own alignment information "echoed back" from the first link and will re-align its beam accordingly. At some point, each link (4, 6) will have received its own alignment information echoed back from the other link and will have aligned itself to that position. Data communication can begin at that point, or a more refined alignment step can then be performed. The alignment information can be based upon position, sample number, or time transmitted.
Inventors:
HEMINGER MARK DAVID (US)
OETTINGER ERIC GREGORY (US)
HAGEN MARK DAVID (US)
NORTHRUP KARL KIRK (US)
OETTINGER ERIC GREGORY (US)
HAGEN MARK DAVID (US)
NORTHRUP KARL KIRK (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2002/012436
Publication Date:
March 13, 2003
Filing Date:
April 19, 2002
Export Citation:
Assignee:
TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INC (US)
HEMINGER MARK DAVID (US)
OETTINGER ERIC GREGORY (US)
HAGEN MARK DAVID (US)
NORTHRUP KARL KIRK (US)
HEMINGER MARK DAVID (US)
OETTINGER ERIC GREGORY (US)
HAGEN MARK DAVID (US)
NORTHRUP KARL KIRK (US)
International Classes:
H04B10/112; H04B10/114; H04B10/40; (IPC1-7): H04B10/00
Foreign References:
| US6381055B1 | 2002-04-30 | |||
| US6181450B1 | 2001-01-30 | |||
| US6285481B1 | 2001-09-04 |
Other References:
See also references of EP 1389371A4
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