An optical transceiver system for transmitting and receiving optical signals includes a plurality of modular integrated optical transceivers and a control system for controlling components within the plurality of modular integrated optical transceivers. Each one of the plurality of modular integrated optical transceivers is configured for receiving and transmitting optical signals over a range of angles. Additionally, the control system is configured for providing transmit and receive signals to the plurality of modular integrated optical transceivers. Further, the plurality of modular integrated optical transceivers, collectively, allow transmitting and receiving of optical signals over a wider range of angles than the range of angles for each one of the plurality of modular integrated optical transceivers.

A device includes a photonic integrated circuit (PIC), which includes an optical phased array. The optical phased array includes multiple array elements, where each array element includes (i) an antenna element configured to transmit or receive optical signals and (ii) a phase modulator configured to modulate the optical signals transmitted or received by the antenna element. The PIC also includes at least one of (i) a source laser configured to generate optical energy, where the antenna elements are configured to transmit the optical signals based on the optical energy, and (ii) a receiver configured to receive and process the optical signals received by the antenna elements.

An assembly for optical to electrical power conversion including a photodiode assembly having a substrate layer and an internal side, an antireflective layer, a heterojunction buffer layer adjacent the internal side; an active area positioned adjacent the heterojunction buffer layer, a plurality of n+ electrode regions and p+ electrode regions positioned adjacent the active area, and back-contacts configured to align with the n+ and p+ electrode regions. The active area converts photons from incoming light into liberated electron hole pairs. The heterojunction buffer layer prevents electrons and holes of the liberated electron hole pairs from moving toward the substrate layer. The plurality of electrode regions are configured in an alternating pattern with gaps between each n+ and p+ electrode region. The electrode regions receive and generate electrical current from migration of the electrons and the holes, provide electrical pathways for the electrical current, and provide thermal pathways to dissipate heat.

A method of coordinating wireless power transfer and data communication between a transmitter and a receiver comprising recognizing at the receiver that an energy store electrically coupled to the receiver requires an electrical charge, emitting from the receiver a beacon signal to the transmitter, the beacon signal including information about the receiver and a state of charge of the energy store, recognizing at the receiver first and second localization signals from the transmitter, establishing low-power and high-power laser beam connections between the receiver and the transmitter in response to the localization signals, and communicating further information via the low-power beam on a periodic basis while optical power is being transferred via the high-power beam. The low-power beam connection includes further information about the receiver and the state of charge of the energy store. Optical power is transferred from the transmitter to the receiver via the high-power beam.

An assembly for optical to electrical power conversion including a photodiode assembly having a substrate layer and an internal side, an antireflective layer, a heterojunction buffer layer adjacent the internal side; an active area positioned adjacent the heterojunction buffer layer, a plurality of n+ electrode regions and p+ electrode regions positioned adjacent the active area, and back-contacts configured to align with the n+ and p+ electrode regions. The active area converts photons from incoming light into liberated electron hole pairs. The heterojunction buffer layer prevents electrons and holes of the liberated electron hole pairs from moving toward the substrate layer. The plurality of electrode regions are configured in an alternating pattern with gaps between each n+ and p+ electrode region. The electrode regions receive and generate electrical current from migration of the electrons and the holes, provide electrical pathways for the electrical current, and provide thermal pathways to dissipate heat.

Techniques for determining an alternative communication mode for vehicle-to-vehicle communication at a host vehicle can include monitoring the primary mode of RF communication to ensure it is effectively communicating and, if not, intelligently selecting a backup communication mode comprising one or more other sensors and/or systems of the vehicle. The selection of the backup communication mode may take into account various factors that can affect the various modes of communication from which the backup communication mode is selected.

Techniques for determining an alternative communication mode for vehicle-to-vehicle communication at a host vehicle can include monitoring the primary mode of RF communication to ensure it is effectively communicating and, if not, intelligently selecting a backup communication mode comprising one or more other sensors and/or systems of the vehicle. The selection of the backup communication mode may take into account various factors that can affect the various modes of communication from which the backup communication mode is selected.

Embodiments relate to a free space optical (FSO) communications system with a feed-forward control path. A data-encoded FSO beam is transmitted from a local terminal to a remote terminal. The local terminal directs a propagation direction of the FSO beam by a beam steering unit. To reduce pointing errors between the terminals, the FSO communications system includes a feed-forward control path. The control path includes an inertial measurement unit (IMU) that outputs motion data indicative of motion of the local terminal, for example if the local terminal is mounted to a tower that sways. The control path also includes a controller that receives the motion data from the IMU and generates feed-forward control signals for the beam steering unit. The control signals compensate for an effect of the motion of the local terminal on the propagation direction of the FSO beam.

Architectures and techniques are presented that improve or enhance a network planning procedure such as by selecting a more efficient test buffer that is used to identify objects that might intersect a Fresnel zone between two transceivers. An improved test buffer (e.g., buffer region) can be one that is constructed from a plurality of rectangles situated along a line of sight of the two transceivers and that are oriented according to cardinal directions.

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.