Disclosed herein are various embodiments for high performance wireless data transfers. In an example embodiment, laser chips are used to support the data transfers using laser signals that encode the data to be transferred. The laser chip can be configured to (1) receive a digital signal and (2) responsive to the received digital signal, generate and emit a variable laser signal, wherein the laser chip comprises a laser-emitting epitaxial structure, wherein the laser-emitting epitaxial structure comprises a plurality of laser-emitting regions within a single mesa structure that generate the variable laser signal. Also disclosed are a number of embodiments for a photonics receiver that can receive and digitize the laser signals produced by the laser chips. Such technology can be used to wireless transfer large data sets such as lidar point clouds at high data rates.

Disclosed herein are various embodiments for high performance wireless data transfers. In an example embodiment, laser chips are used to support the data transfers using laser signals that encode the data to be transferred. The laser chip can be configured to (1) receive a digital signal and (2) responsive to the received digital signal, generate and emit a variable laser signal, wherein the laser chip comprises a laser-emitting epitaxial structure, wherein the laser-emitting epitaxial structure comprises a plurality of laser-emitting regions within a single mesa structure that generate the variable laser signal. Also disclosed are a number of embodiments for a photonics receiver that can receive and digitize the laser signals produced by the laser chips. Such technology can be used to wireless transfer large data sets such as lidar point clouds at high data rates.

A photonic chip includes a device layer and a port layer, with an optical port located at the port layer. Inter-layer optical couplers are provided for coupling light between the device and port layers. The inter-layer couplers may be configured to couple signal light but block pump light or other undesired wavelength from entering the device layer, operating as an input filter. The port layer may accommodate other light pre-processing functions, such as optical power splitting, that are undesirable in the device layer.

A photonic chip includes a device layer and a port layer, with an optical port located at the port layer. Inter-layer optical couplers are provided for coupling light between the device and port layers. The inter-layer couplers may be configured to couple signal light but block pump light or other undesired wavelength from entering the device layer, operating as an input filter. The port layer may accommodate other light pre-processing functions, such as optical power splitting, that are undesirable in the device layer.

An optical transceiver may include an optical receptacle configured to input or output an optical signal, a first planar lightwave circuit through which the optical signal travels, an arrayed waveguide grating connected to the first planar lightwave circuit, and a first spot size converter connecting the optical receptacle and the first planar lightwave circuit.

An optical transceiver may include an optical receptacle configured to input or output an optical signal, a first planar lightwave circuit through which the optical signal travels, an arrayed waveguide grating connected to the first planar lightwave circuit, and a first spot size converter connecting the optical receptacle and the first planar lightwave circuit.

An unused path through which actual data is not transmitted in a long-distance redundant network can be appropriately detect, and this function is realized at low cost. A transmission unit 33 of optical transceivers 21a and 21b connected to each other by an optical fiber cable 22 in an optical transmission system 20 includes a laser 37 for emitting a laser beam serving as an optical signal P1 to the optical fiber cable 22, and an optical intensity control unit 35 for performing control to change the optical level of the optical signal of the laser beam. Each of the optical transceivers 21a and 21b includes a control unit 31 for superimposing each of an idle signal A1, an OAM signal O1, and an actual data signal D1 on an XGMII signal 31s and outputting this XGMII signal 31s to the transmission unit 33 that transmits the optical signal P1, and a signal determination unit 32 for determining unique information regarding each signal output to the transmission unit 33 and outputting a determination result signal 32s. The optical intensity control unit 35 performs control to change the optical level of the optical signal P1 on which a signal of the determination of each signal indicated by the determination result signal 32s is superimposed to different optical levels L1 to L3 between the signals.

An unused path through which actual data is not transmitted in a long-distance redundant network can be appropriately detect, and this function is realized at low cost. A transmission unit 33 of optical transceivers 21a and 21b connected to each other by an optical fiber cable 22 in an optical transmission system 20 includes a laser 37 for emitting a laser beam serving as an optical signal P1 to the optical fiber cable 22, and an optical intensity control unit 35 for performing control to change the optical level of the optical signal of the laser beam. Each of the optical transceivers 21a and 21b includes a control unit 31 for superimposing each of an idle signal A1, an OAM signal O1, and an actual data signal D1 on an XGMII signal 31s and outputting this XGMII signal 31s to the transmission unit 33 that transmits the optical signal P1, and a signal determination unit 32 for determining unique information regarding each signal output to the transmission unit 33 and outputting a determination result signal 32s. The optical intensity control unit 35 performs control to change the optical level of the optical signal P1 on which a signal of the determination of each signal indicated by the determination result signal 32s is superimposed to different optical levels L1 to L3 between the signals.

A method of communicating information via optical data transmission between two utility vehicles includes providing a control unit on a first utility vehicle, a work light on the first utility vehicle, and a second utility vehicle. The method also includes generating activation signals by the control unit of the first utility vehicle in dependence on transmission data to be transmitted, activating the work light by the activation signals, and emitting light signals via the activated work light to the second utility vehicle. The light signals represent the transmission data.

A method of communicating information via optical data transmission between two utility vehicles includes providing a control unit on a first utility vehicle, a work light on the first utility vehicle, and a second utility vehicle. The method also includes generating activation signals by the control unit of the first utility vehicle in dependence on transmission data to be transmitted, activating the work light by the activation signals, and emitting light signals via the activated work light to the second utility vehicle. The light signals represent the transmission data.