Cecilia M Cheng

US Patent:

6819874, Nov 16, 2004

Filed:

Apr 22, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/420477

Inventors:

Cecilia Y. Cheng - Redondo Beach CA
Robert R. Hayes - Calabasas CA
David A. Langsam - Los Angeles CA
Andrew L. Strodtbeck - El Segundo CA

Assignee:

The Directv Group, Inc. - El Segundo CA

International Classification:

H04B 1000

US Classification:

398129, 398122, 398156

Abstract:

An optical communication terminal transmits data via an optical signal with a transmit mirror positioned to direct the optical signal. The optical communication terminal includes a processor configured to develop a control signal for a mirror controller to establish an optimal position of the transmit mirror. The optical communication terminal further includes a modulator coupled to the processor that modulates the optical signal in accordance with a position of the transmit mirror during transmission of the optical signal. The optimal position of the transmit mirror may be established by a scanning routine that adjusts the position of the transmit mirror to a plurality of predetermined offset positions during transmission of the optical signal. The intensity of the optical signal as received by a further optical communication terminal is then determined and provided via modulation of a further optical signal transmitted back to the first-named optical communication terminal. The predetermined offset positions and the corresponding received intensities may then be utilized to determine the optimal position of the transmit mirror.

US Patent:

6577421, Jun 10, 2003

Filed:

Aug 12, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/373349

Inventors:

Cecilia Y. Cheng - Redondo Beach CA
Robert R. Hayes - Calabasas CA
David A. Langsam - Los Angeles CA
Andrew L. Strodtbeck - El Segundo CA

Assignee:

Hughes Electronics Corporation - El Segundo CA

International Classification:

H04B 1000

US Classification:

359159, 359152, 359172

Abstract:

An optical communication terminal transmits data via an optical signal with a transmit mirror positioned to direct the optical signal. The optical communication terminal includes a processor configured to develop a control signal for a mirror controller to establish an optimal position of the transmit mirror. The optical communication terminal further includes a modulator coupled to the processor that modulates the optical signal in accordance with a position of the transmit mirror during transmission of the optical signal. The optimal position of the transmit mirror may be established by a scanning routine that adjusts the position of the transmit mirror to a plurality of predetermined offset positions during transmission of the optical signal. The intensity of the optical signal as received by a further optical communication terminal is then determined and provided via modulation of a further optical signal transmitted back to the first-named optical communication terminal. The predetermined offset positions and the corresponding received intensities may then be utilized to determine the optimal position of the transmit mirror.