EINDHOVEN, The Netherlands – Electro-optics researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, are developing wireless non-line-of-sight optical communications. The journal Nature reports. Continue reading original article
The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:
24 July 2019 -- This non-line-of-sight setup can steer light around obstacles by using liquid crystal-based spatial light modulators to focus on diffuse reflections from ceilings and walls.
Light-based systems for sending information are normally limited by direct line-of-sight requirements between transmitter and receiver stations. Now there is a protocol for achieving data rates of 30 gigabytes per second -- even with blocked sightlines.
The team’s approach uses a spatial light modulator to direct the random, speckle-like patterns of scattered light from a wall (emulated by sandblasted aluminum reflector) towards a desired non-line-of-sight user. An algorithm then optimizes phase patterns until the transmitted light intensity is maximized along a free-space pathway around any barriers.
John Keller, chief editor
Military & Aerospace Electronics
