A magnetic ring and a magnetic-ring-based system are provided. The magnetic ring includes an inner magnetic ring including an inner coil and an outer magnetic ring corresponding to the inner magnetic ring and including an outer coil facing the inner coil along a circumference of the outer magnetic ring. The inner magnetic ring is connected with a stationary part in a range-finding system, and the outer magnetic ring is connected with a rotating part in the range-finding system. In response to a rotation of the rotating part with respect to the stationary part, the outer magnetic ring rotates with respect to the inner magnetic ring to generate a magnetic field between the inner coil and the outer coil to perform one of data transmission or power transmission in the range-finding system.

A laser device for optical communication comprises a first laser unit connected to a first optical fiber for supplying a transmission laser beam thereto. wherein the laser device is configured for providing a reference laser beam in addition to the transmission laser beam. For providing the reference laser beam the laser device further includes a second laser unit connected to a second optical fiber for supplying the reference laser beam to the second optical fiber. The first laser unit is configured for providing the transmission laser beam as a linear polarized beam that is polarized in a first polarization direction, and the second laser unit is configured for providing the reference laser beam as a linear polarized beam that is polarized in a second polarization direction. The first optical fiber and the second optical fiber are formed of polarization maintaining optical fibers, and the laser device further includes a polarization combiner connected to a third polarization maintaining optical fiber for conveying the transmission laser beam and the reference laser beam to an optical output of the laser device.

Systems, methods, and devices for infrared (IR) communications in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, a first infrared (IR) device configured for real time mapping comprises: a mapping module; a communication module; an IR receiver configured to receive an IR signal transmitted from at least one second IR device; a processor operatively connected to the mapping module, communication module, and IR receiver; and memory storing a program comprising instructions that cause the first IR device to: capture map data using the mapping module; transmit a request for an IR signal using the communication module; scan for IR signals using the IR receiver; receive an IR signal, from the at least one second IR device, using the IR receiver; and validate the at least one second IR device to a location by mapping the received IR signal to a position on the map data.

Systems, methods, and devices for infrared (IR) communications in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, a first infrared (IR) device configured for real time mapping comprises: a mapping module; a communication module; an IR receiver configured to receive an IR signal transmitted from at least one second IR device; a processor operatively connected to the mapping module, communication module, and IR receiver; and memory storing a program comprising instructions that cause the first IR device to: capture map data using the mapping module; transmit a request for an IR signal using the communication module; scan for IR signals using the IR receiver; receive an IR signal, from the at least one second IR device, using the IR receiver; and validate the at least one second IR device to a location by mapping the received IR signal to a position on the map data.

In some embodiments, an optical communication system may include an optical source, a modulator, and a photoreceiver. The optical source may be configured to generate a beam comprising a series of light pulses each having a duration of less than 100 picoseconds. The photoreceiver may have a detection window duration of less than 1 nanosecond. When a first pulse travels through a variably refractive medium, photons in the first pulse may be refracted to travel along different ray paths to arrive at the photoreceiver according to a temporal distribution curve. A full width at half maximum (FWHM) value of the temporal distribution curve may be at least three times as large as a coherence time value of the first pulse, and the detection window of the photoreceiver may be at least six times as large as the FWHM value of the temporal distribution curve.

Control instructions are transmitted to receivers by modulating light sources to generate light beams that are modulated with digital data streams for inducing control instructions in the light beams. Each light beam is applied to a pixel shaper element of a pixel shaper assembly to produce a light pixel, each light pixel carrying the control instructions of the light beam, each light pixel having a perimeter defined by the pixel shaper element. The pixel shaper assembly combines the light pixels into an image without significant overlap or voids between the light pixels emitted by the pixel shaper assembly. The light pixels are directed toward a projector lens for transmission toward the receivers. In a receiver, an optical receiver detects a light pixel. A controller decodes the control instructions received in the detected light pixel and uses the control instructions to control a function of the receiver.

Disclosed herein are methods, devices, and system for beam forming and beam steering within ultra-wideband, wireless optical communication devices and systems. According to one embodiment, a free space optical (FSO) communication apparatus is disclosed. The FSO communication apparatus includes a semiconductor optical device configured to have a transient response time of less than 500 picoseconds (ps), a lens, and a first band select filter.

Disclosed herein are methods, devices, and system for beam forming and beam steering within ultra-wideband, wireless optical communication devices and systems. According to one embodiment, a free space optical (FSO) communication apparatus is disclosed. The FSO communication apparatus includes a semiconductor optical device configured to have a transient response time of less than 500 picoseconds (ps), a lens, and a first band select filter.

Transmitting at least two optical signals to at least two receivers, using a source, an alignment module, and a telescope. The telescope has a field of view in which the at least two receivers are located, and at least a first beam path and a second beam path are aligned in the alignment module in order to respectively steer the first optical signal via the telescope to the first receiver and the second optical signal via the telescope to the second receiver.

Transmitting at least two optical signals to at least two receivers, using a source, an alignment module, and a telescope. The telescope has a field of view in which the at least two receivers are located, and at least a first beam path and a second beam path are aligned in the alignment module in order to respectively steer the first optical signal via the telescope to the first receiver and the second optical signal via the telescope to the second receiver.