WO2022145289A1

WO2022145289A1 - Tracking apparatus for optical communication, and optical communication apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2022145289A1
Application number: PCT/JP2021/047315
Authority: WO
Inventors: 真一郎春山; 日出生藤田; アブデルモウラベッカリ; 倫和服部
Original assignee: 合同会社クラフトブレイン; 東洋電機株式会社
Priority date: 2020-12-28
Filing date: 2021-12-21
Publication date: 2022-07-07
Also published as: JP7398710B2; CN116547551A; KR20230078702A; JP2022103994A

Abstract

In order to enable optical axis alignment even when a tracking apparatus for optical communication on the other side is in various attitudes, the center position of a plurality of LEDs provided in the tracking apparatus for optical communication on the other side is identified on the basis of beacon light in a captured image captured by means of a capturing camera, and the orientation of a movable mirror for adjusting the orientation of communication light emitted from an optical communication apparatus on one's own side is controlled to allow the communication light emitted from the optical communication apparatus on one's own side to fall on the identified center position. Further, a control amount for the movable mirror for emitting the communication light toward the center position may be calculated on the basis of data associating a reference point on the captured image with information indicating movable mirror control amounts.

Description

Optical communication tracking device and optical communication device

The present invention includes an optical communication tracking device capable of aligning an optical axis with an optical communication tracking device having the same configuration provided on the other party's optical communication device, and an optical communication tracking device. It is about communication equipment.

Optical communication technology exists as one of the non-contact communication means between two points. Optical communication is a technology that enables high-speed, large-capacity transfer because it is optical data communication. In order to reliably communicate between two points separated by a distance, it is necessary to use an optical signal with high directivity, and it is necessary to accurately align the optical axis.

For example, Patent Document 1 describes a tracking device that tracks (captures and tracks) the other party's device using beacon light emitted from the other party's device, regarding an optical axis alignment technique for performing optical communication with the other party's device. It has been disclosed.

Patent No. 6005377

The tracking device described in Patent Document 1 enables optical communication between one's own side and the other's communication device by using a beacon light irradiation unit and a photographing camera, but both tracking devices are constant. I had to keep my posture.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an optical communication tracking device capable of aligning the optical axis even when the other party's optical communication tracking device has various postures. ..

The optical communication tracking device according to the present invention is provided in the optical communication device on the other side in optical communication in which communication light is transmitted and received coaxially between the optical communication device on the own side and the optical communication device on the other side. It is an optical communication tracking device for aligning the optical axis with an optical communication tracking device (hereinafter referred to as a counterpart tracking device) having the same configuration, and is communication light from the optical communication device on its own side. Is provided approximately symmetrically with respect to the passage axis of the opening for taking in the communication light from the optical communication device on the other side and the opening of the communication light emitted from the optical communication device on the own side. A plurality of LEDs that irradiate the other-side tracking device with beacon light, a beam splitter that divides the light taken in by the opening into transmitted light and reflected light, and reflected light divided by the beam splitter. A photographing camera for taking a picture, a movable mirror for adjusting the direction of the communication light emitted from the optical communication device on its own side, and a control unit for controlling the direction of the movable mirror are provided, and the control unit is the control unit. The captured image captured by the photographing camera is acquired, the center positions of a plurality of LEDs included in the other-side tracking device are specified based on the beacon light captured in the captured image, and the center position of the plurality of LEDs included in the other-side tracking device is specified from the optical communication device on the own side. It is characterized in that the orientation of the movable mirror is controlled so that the emitted communication light is incident on the specified center position.

Further, in the optical communication tracking device according to the present invention, the plurality of LEDs are two LEDs provided substantially symmetrically with respect to the passing axis of the opening of the communication light, and the control unit is the control unit. The intermediate position of the two LEDs included in the other side tracking device is specified based on the beacon light captured in the acquired captured image, and the communication light emitted from the optical communication device on the own side is incident on the intermediate position. It may be characterized by controlling the orientation of the movable mirror.

Further, in the optical communication tracking device according to the present invention, the control unit is movable to emit communication light from the reference point on the captured image and the optical communication device on its own side with respect to the reference point. Referencing the storage means in which the control amount data associated with the information indicating the control amount of the formula mirror is stored, and the control amount data associated with the plurality of reference points in the vicinity of the center position is used as the basis for the control amount data. The control amount of the movable mirror for emitting communication light from the optical communication device on the own side with respect to the center position is calculated, and the optical communication on the own side is calculated based on the calculated control amount of the movable mirror. It may be characterized in that the orientation of the movable mirror is controlled so that the communication light emitted from the device is incident on the center position.

Further, the optical communication device according to the present invention may be characterized by including a tracking device for optical communication.

Further, the optical communication tracking device according to the present invention is an optical communication device on the other side in optical communication in which communication light is transmitted and received coaxially between the optical communication device on the own side and the optical communication device on the other side. It is an optical communication tracking device for aligning an optical axis with an optical communication tracking device (hereinafter referred to as a counterpart tracking device) having the same configuration provided, and is from the optical communication device on its own side. Approximately symmetric with respect to the passage axis of the opening for passing the communication light and taking in the communication light from the optical communication device on the other side and the passage axis of the communication light emitted from the optical communication device on the own side. A plurality of LEDs that irradiate the other-side tracking device with beacon light, a beam splitter that divides the light taken in by the opening into transmitted light and reflected light, and reflection divided by the beam splitter. It includes a photographing camera that captures light and a movable mirror that adjusts the direction of the communication light emitted from the optical communication device on its own side, and the movable mirror is the other side of the image captured by the photographing camera. It is characterized in that the direction is controlled by the control means so that the communication light emitted from the optical communication device on its own side is incident on the center positions of the plurality of LEDs included in the tracking device.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an optical communication tracking device capable of aligning the optical axis even if the optical communication tracking device on the other side has various postures.

It is explanatory drawing explaining the example of the whole structure of the tracking device integrated optical communication device 100 which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the structure of the tracking device integrated optical communication apparatus 100 which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the correction example of the direction of the communication light from the optical communication device 10 on the own side using the correction laser device 21 which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the control example of the emission direction of the communication light by the tracking device integrated optical communication apparatus 100 which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which showed an example of the flow of the correction control of the control amount data using the correction laser apparatus 21 by the control unit 28 which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of control of the emission direction of the communication light from the optical communication device 100 integrated with the tracking device on the own side by the control unit 28 which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the structure of the optical communication apparatus 200 with integrated tracking apparatus which concerns on this invention.

Hereinafter, an example of an optical communication tracking device will be described with reference to the drawings. First, a configuration example of an optical communication device and an optical communication tracking device will be described.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of the tracking device integrated optical communication device 100 (hereinafter referred to as the integrated device 100) according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, the tracking device integrated optical communication device 100A (hereinafter referred to as an integrated device 100A) and the tracking device integrated optical communication device 100B (hereinafter referred to as an integrated device 100B) are bidirectional. The explanation will be given assuming that optical communication is performed. Since the integrated device 100A and the integrated device 100B will be described by taking the case of two devices having the same performance as an example, those with the same reference numerals have the same function unless they are described separately. And. Further, hereinafter, in the description of the configuration included in the integrated device 100, the side provided by the integrated device 100 on the side having the configuration to be explained is referred to as "own side", and the communication partner with respect to the optical communication device 10 on the own side is referred to. The configuration provided in the integrated device 100 may be referred to as "the other party".

The integrated device 100 is a device for coaxially transmitting and receiving communication light between one's own side and the other side. The integrated device 100 includes an optical communication device 10 and an optical communication tracking device 20.

The optical communication device 10 is a device for transmitting and receiving communication light between one's own side and the other side. The optical communication device 10 includes a transmission optical fiber cable 11, a lens 12, an optical circulator 13, a movable lens 14, an optical antenna lens 15, a beam splitter 16, a lens 17, a position sensor 18, and reception. It is provided with an optical fiber cable 19.

The transmission optical fiber cable 11 is an example for propagating an optical signal for transmission. The lens 12 is a lens for collecting an optical signal emitted from a transmission optical fiber cable 11. The optical circulator 13 outputs the optical signal emitted from the transmission optical fiber cable 11 to the port on the movable lens 14 side, and outputs the optical signal input from the port on the movable lens 14 side to the port on the beam splitter 16 side. It is an optical device configured as such. The movable lens 14 is a movable lens whose position can be adjusted in a plane substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical signal, and is used for adjusting the light projection axis. The optical antenna lens 15 is configured to first receive light from the other side.

The beam splitter 16 divides the optical signal emitted from the optical circulator 13 into transmitted light and reflected light. The lens 17 is a lens for condensing the light reflected from the beam splitter 16. The position sensor 18 is configured to detect the position of the optical axis using the light reflected from the beam splitter 16, and for example, a QPD (quadrant photodetector) or the like is used. The receiving optical fiber cable 19 is for propagating a receiving optical signal.

The optical communication tracking device 20 is provided in the optical communication device 10 on the other side in optical communication in which communication light is transmitted and received coaxially between the optical communication device 10 on the own side and the optical communication device 10 on the other side. It is a device for aligning the optical axis with the optical communication tracking device 20 (the other party's optical communication tracking device 20) having the same configuration. The optical communication tracking device 20 includes a correction laser device 21, a beam splitter 22, a movable mirror 23, an opening 24, a beam splitter 25, a photographing camera 26, an LED 27, and a control unit 28. ..

The correction laser device 21 is a device that emits correction laser light, and is a device for correcting the direction of communication light that is emitted from the optical communication device 10 on its own side and passes through the opening 24 described later.

The beam splitter 22 splits the correction laser light emitted from the correction laser device 21 into transmitted light and reflected light.

The movable mirror 23 adjusts the direction of the communication light emitted from the optical communication device 10 on its own side. Specifically, the movable mirror 23 adjusts the direction in which the transmitted portion of the communication light divided by the beam splitter 22 is reflected. For example, the movable mirror 23 is realized by a two-dimensional mirror and a mirror actuator.

The opening 24 is an entrance / exit of light provided for passing the communication light from the optical communication device 10 on the own side and taking in the communication light from the optical communication device 10 on the other side. The size and shape of the opening 24 are not particularly limited as long as the communication light can pass through even if the emission angle of the communication light from the optical communication device 10 on its own side is adjusted by controlling the orientation of the movable mirror 23.

The beam splitter 25 divides the light taken in by the opening 24 into transmitted light and reflected light.

The photographing camera 26 is a device for photographing the reflected light divided by the beam splitter 25.

The LED 27 is provided at a position substantially symmetrical with respect to the passing axis of the opening 24 of the communication light emitted from the optical communication device 10 on the own side, and irradiates the optical communication tracking device 20 on the other side with the beacon light. The beacon light is irradiated with a light intensity that can be photographed by the photographing camera 26 on the other side. A plurality of LEDs 27 are provided for one optical communication device 10. Here, the communication light needs to be an optical signal with high directivity, but it is possible to increase the probability of being captured by the other party by irradiating the beacon light used only for adjusting the optical axis at a wide angle. It becomes.

Here, in bidirectional optical communication, there are two positions where the opening 24 and the LED 27 of the optical communication tracking device 20 on the own side and the opening 24 and the LED 27 of the optical communication tracking device 20 on the other side face each other. Ideally, the integrated device 100 is installed, but communication is possible as long as the positional relationship is such that a plurality of beacon lights irradiated at a wide angle can be captured. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the integrated device 100A and the integrated device 100B are installed so that the opening 24 and the LED 27 of the integrated device 100A and the opening 24 and the LED 27 of the integrated device 100B face each other. It is supposed to be.

The control unit 28 controls the operation of the entire optical communication tracking device 20. For example, the control target of the control unit 28 is a correction laser device 21, a movable mirror 23, a photographing camera 26, an LED 27, and the like.

For example, the control unit 28 acquires a photographed image captured by the photographing camera 26, and based on the beacon light included in the photographed image, determines the center position of a plurality of LEDs 27 included in the optical communication tracking device 20 on the other side. The direction of the movable mirror 23 is controlled so that the communication light emitted from the optical communication device 10 on the own side is incident on the specified center position. Here, the center position of the plurality of LEDs 27 means an intermediate position between the two LEDs 27 when there are two LEDs 27, and when there are three or more LEDs 27, the center of the polygon having each position of the plurality of LEDs 27 as the apex. Means position. An example of the center position of the plurality of LEDs 27 is the position of the center of gravity of the plurality of LEDs 27. The control unit 28 may specify the center position of the plurality of beacon lights included in the captured image as the center position of the plurality of LEDs 27. Details of the orientation control of the movable mirror 23 by the control unit 28 will be described later.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the structure of the integrated device 100 according to the present invention. The communication light emitted from the optical communication device 10 passes through the beam splitter 22 and is reflected by the movable mirror 23. Next, the communication light reflected by the movable mirror 23 passes through the beam splitter 25 and passes through the opening 24. The communication light that has passed through the opening 24 advances to the integrated device 100 on the other side as shown in FIG. Here, the direction of the communication light passing through the opening 24 is determined according to the direction of the movable mirror 23.

On the other hand, the opening 24 takes in the communication light from the optical communication device 10 on the other side. Further, the plurality of LEDs 27 on the other side irradiate the optical communication tracking device 20 on the other side with a plurality of beacon lights. Therefore, the opening 24 takes in the beacon light in addition to the communication light. The light taken in by the opening 24 is split by the beam splitter 25. Therefore, the photographing camera 26 photographs the communication light from the optical communication device 10 on the other side and the beacon light from the plurality of LEDs 27 on the other side.

The opening 24 is not particularly limited as long as the communication light can pass within the range of the angle at which the communication light is emitted from the optical communication device 10 on the own side. The range of the angle at which the communication light is emitted from the optical communication device 10 on the own side is determined by the control range of the orientation of the movable mirror 23. If the beacon light from the plurality of LEDs 27 on the other side can be photographed by the photographing camera 26, optical communication can be performed with the optical communication device 10 on the other side.

The overall configuration example of the optical communication device 10 and the optical communication tracking device 20 has been described above.

By the way, the communication light emitted from the optical communication device 10 on the own side is reflected by the movable mirror 23 and passes through the opening 24. That is, the traveling direction of the communication light changes according to the direction of the movable mirror 23. As described above, when bidirectional communication is performed between the optical communication device 10 on the own side and the optical communication device 10 on the other side, the control unit 28 uses the optical communication device 10 on the own side for the purpose of aligning the optical axes. The direction of the movable mirror 23 is controlled so that the communication light emitted from the mirror 23 is emitted toward the center position of the plurality of LEDs 27 on the other side.

However, although the orientation of the movable mirror 23 is controlled so that the communication light is emitted toward the center positions of the plurality of LEDs 27, accurate optical axis alignment cannot be achieved if the actual communication light cannot be emitted at the target position. Can not. Therefore, it is necessary to modify the control amount data of the orientation of the movable mirror 23 so that the communication light is accurately emitted to the target position. That is, it is necessary to calibrate the emission direction of the communication light of the optical communication device 10.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 3, an example of a method of correcting the control amount data of the orientation of the movable mirror 23 by the optical communication tracking device 20 will be described.

When correcting the control amount data, first, a correction screen is installed at a position facing the opening 24 of the optical communication tracking device 20. That is, the correction screen is installed so that the surface of the correction screen is reflected in the shot image when the shooting is performed by the shooting camera 26.

Next, the correction laser device 21 emits the correction laser light, and the shooting camera 26 takes a picture. Here, the correction laser light is light having a higher light intensity than the communication light from the optical communication device 10. By using the correction laser beam, the control amount data can be corrected even if the communication light used in the optical communication device 10 has a light intensity that is difficult to be captured in the image captured by the photographing camera 26.

Further, each of the plurality of predetermined positions in the captured image generated by the imaging of the photographing camera 26 is set as the reference point SP. Here, the reference point SP means a point set on the captured image which is a reference for calculating the control amount in the orientation control of the movable mirror 23. The plurality of reference points SP may be fixedly set in the captured image, or may be set by the control unit 28. In this example, the plurality of reference points SP are set at intervals of 400 pixels in the vertical and horizontal directions in the captured image.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a correction example of the direction of the communication light from the optical communication device 10 on the own side using the correction laser device 21 according to the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a photographed image PI1 photographed by the photographing camera 26. The captured image PI1 includes a correction laser light spot CP. Since the plurality of reference points SP in FIG. 3 mean positions on the captured image as described above, they are not actually captured in the captured image PI1. The correction laser light spot CP is obtained by emitting the correction laser light with the reference point TSP to be corrected as a target, hitting the correction screen, and taking a picture by the photographing camera 26.

Here, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the position of the reference point TSP to be corrected and the laser light point CP for correction is displaced. Therefore, the control unit 28 calculates the control amount of the movable mirror 23 capable of shining the correction laser beam on the reference point TSP to be corrected in the captured image PI1.

For example, the control unit 28 calculates the control amount of the movable mirror 23 for shining the correction laser light on the reference point TSP to be corrected based on the control amount of the movable mirror 23 at the position of the correction laser light point CP. Then, the orientation of the movable mirror 23 is controlled based on the controlled amount. Next, the control unit 28 again emits the correction laser beam to the correction laser device 21, and determines whether or not the deviation between the reference point TSP to be corrected and the correction laser light point CP has been eliminated. .. For example, when the deviation between the reference point TSP to be corrected and the laser light spot CP for correction is equal to or less than a predetermined distance, the control unit 28 determines that the deviation has been eliminated.

The control unit 28 stores information indicating the control amount of the movable mirror 23 when it is determined that the misalignment has been resolved as control amount data in association with the reference point TSP to be corrected (not shown). Remember. In this example, the control unit 28 corrects the control amount data for all the uncorrected reference points SP. When the control amount data is modified and stored in the storage means for one reference point TSP to be modified, the control unit 28 selects one of the uncorrected reference point SPs and the next reference point TSP to be modified. And. The storage means may be provided by the optical communication tracking device 20, the optical communication device 10, or may be realized by another device.

Above, the method of correcting the control amount data has been explained. The method for correcting the control amount data is not limited to the above-mentioned method as long as the communication light from the optical communication device 10 on the own side can be emitted to the target position based on the corrected control amount data.

Subsequently, with reference to FIG. 4, an example of controlling the emission direction of the communication light by the integrated device 100 will be described.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of controlling the emission direction of communication light by the integrated device 100 according to the present invention. FIG. 4 shows a part of the photographed image PI2 photographed by the photographing camera 26. The captured image PI2 shows the beacon light LEDa and LEDb and the center position TP. Since the reference points SPA, SPB, SPC, and SPD are points set on the captured image, they are not actually included in the captured image PI2. Here, the communication light needs to be an optical signal with high directivity, but it is possible to increase the probability of being captured by the other party by emitting the beacon light used only for optical axis adjustment at a wide angle. It becomes.

Here, the control unit 28 specifies the position of the beacon light as the position of the LED 27 irradiating the beacon light. The beacon light LEDsa and LEDb are emitted by two LEDs 27 provided in the optical signal tracking device 20 on the other side. The center position TP is an intermediate position between the position of the beacon light LEDa and the position of the beacon light LEDb. Here, the method of specifying the position of the beacon light is not particularly limited, but a method of specifying the portion having the strongest light intensity of the light having a spread can be considered as the position of the beacon light.

As described above, the control unit 28 of the movable mirror 23 so as to emit the communication light from the optical communication device 10 on its own side toward the intermediate position of the two LEDs 27 based on the captured image PI2 when transmitting the communication light. It is necessary to control the orientation. This is because if the communication light is emitted toward an intermediate position between the position of the beacon light LEDa and the position of the beacon light LEDb, the communication light can be received by the optical communication device 10 on the other side.

Here, the control unit 28 corresponds to the reference point on the captured image and the information indicating the control amount of the movable mirror 23 for emitting the communication light from the optical communication device 10 on the own side with respect to the reference point. Refer to the storage means in which the attached control amount data is stored. Next, the control unit 28 is a movable mirror for emitting communication light from the optical communication device 10 on its own side with respect to the center position based on the control amount data associated with the plurality of reference points near the center position. The control amount of 23 is calculated. Next, the control unit 28 controls the direction of the movable mirror 23 so that the communication light emitted from the optical communication device 10 on its own side is incident on the center position based on the calculated control amount of the movable mirror 23. ..

In the example shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 28 controls the movable mirror 23 in which the communication light is incident on the intermediate position TP based on the information indicating the control amount corresponding to the plurality of reference points SP in the vicinity of the intermediate position TP. Is calculated. That is, the control unit 28 calculates the control amount that the communication light is incident on the intermediate position TP by using the control amount data of the reference point SP that has already been calculated. In this example, in the calculation of the controlled variable of the movable mirror 23, the controlled variable data of the four reference points SPA, SPB, SPC and SPD near the intermediate position TP are used.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, specifically, the control unit 28 is a movable type in which the communication light is incident on the intermediate position TP based on the information indicating the control amount corresponding to the plurality of reference points SP in the vicinity of the intermediate position TP. The control amount of the mirror 23 is calculated by the interpolation method. In this example, the control unit 28 calculates the reference point SPA or SPC by the weighted average of e / f and the reference point SPB or SPD by the weighted average of (ef) / f in the left-right direction. Further, in this example, the control unit 28 calculates the reference point SPA or SPB by the weighted average of (g—h) / h and the reference point SPC or SPD by the weighted average of h / g in the vertical direction.

The control example of the emission direction of the communication light has been described above.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of correction control of control amount data using the correction laser device 21 by the control unit 28 according to the present invention. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 28 controls the entire configuration including the optical communication tracking device 20.

As shown in FIG. 5, the correction control of the control amount data is a state in which the correction screen is installed at a position facing the opening 24, and the control unit 28 sets a plurality of reference points in the captured image. (Step S101). When a plurality of reference points are set, the control unit 28 selects any one of the reference points whose control amount data is uncorrected (step S102). When the uncorrected reference point is selected, the control unit 28 controls the direction of the movable mirror 23 so that the correction laser beam is emitted toward the selected reference point (step S103).

When the control unit 28 controls the orientation of the movable mirror 23, the correction laser device 21 emits the correction laser light onto the correction screen (step S104). When the control unit 28 ejects the correction screen to the correction screen, the control unit 28 causes the photographing camera 26 to take a picture of the correction screen (step S105). When the shooting camera 26 shoots the correction screen, the control unit 28 controls the orientation of the movable mirror 23 so as to eliminate the misalignment between the selected reference point and the correction laser beam in the shot image (step). S106). In this example, the control unit 28 causes the photographing camera 26 to continuously photograph in step S106.

If the deviation is not less than or equal to a predetermined distance (step S107-Nо) while controlling the orientation of the movable mirror 23, the control unit 28 returns to step S106 and continues to control the orientation of the movable mirror 23. When the deviation becomes less than or equal to a predetermined distance (step S107-Yes) while controlling the orientation of the movable mirror 23, the control unit 28 when the deviation from the selected reference point becomes less than or equal to a predetermined distance. The control amount data associated with the control amount of the movable mirror 23 is stored in the storage means as the modified control amount data (step S108).

If the control unit 28 stores the corrected control amount data but does not store the corrected control amount data at all the reference points in the storage means (step S109-Nо), the control unit 28 goes to step S102. return. When the control unit 28 stores the corrected control amount data and stores the corrected control amount data at all the reference points in the storage means (step S109-Yes), the control unit 28 controls the control unit 28. The modification control of the quantity data ends.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of control of the emission direction of the communication light from the integrated device 100 on the own side by the control unit 28 according to the present invention. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 28 controls the entire configuration including the optical communication tracking device 20.

As shown in FIG. 6, the control of the emission direction of the communication light is started by specifying the center positions of the plurality of LEDs 27 in the captured image in the control unit 28 (step S201). When the control unit 28 specifies the center position, the control unit 28 extracts the control amount data associated with the plurality of reference points in the vicinity of the center position (step S202). When the control amount data is extracted, the control unit 28 calculates the control amount of the movable mirror 23 corresponding to the center position based on the extracted control amount data (step S203). When the control amount is calculated, the control unit 28 controls the direction of the movable mirror 23 based on the calculated control amount (step S204), returns to step S201, and repeatedly executes control of the emission direction of the communication light from the beginning. To do.

By the way, in the example of the optical communication tracking device 20 described above, two LEDs 27 are provided. However, the number of LEDs 27 included in the optical communication tracking device 20 may be three or more. Hereinafter, a case where the optical communication tracking device 20 includes four LEDs 27 will be described with reference to FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the structure of the tracking device integrated optical communication device 200 according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the tracking device integrated optical communication device 200 (integrated device 200) includes four LEDs 27 unlike the integrated device 100 shown in FIG. The four LEDs 27 are provided substantially symmetrically with respect to the passing axis of the opening 24 of the communication light emitted from the optical communication device 10 on the own side. In other words, the central position of the four LEDs 27 is the position through which the communication light from the optical communication device 10 on the own side passes. The center position of the four LEDs 27 here is the position of the center of gravity of the quadrangle whose apex is the position of the four LEDs 27 in the two-dimensional plane substantially perpendicular to the passing axis. With such a configuration, there is an advantage that there is no restriction that both the optical communication tracking device 20 on the own side and the optical communication tracking device 20 on the other side must maintain a constant posture. The center position when there are four LEDs 27 does not necessarily have to be the center of gravity position, and other methods such as setting the intersection of the diagonal lines as the center position may be used.

As described above, according to the optical communication tracking device 20 according to the present invention, the other party in optical communication in which communication light is transmitted and received coaxially between the optical communication device on the own side and the optical communication device on the other side. In order to align the optical axis with the optical communication tracking device 20 having the same configuration provided in the optical communication device on the side, the communication light from the optical communication device 10 on the own side is passed through and the optical communication device on the other side is passed. Tracking for optical communication on the other side is provided approximately symmetrically with respect to the passing axis of the opening 24 for taking in the communication light from 10 and the opening 24 of the communication light emitted from the optical communication device 10 on the own side. A plurality of LEDs 27 that irradiate the device 20 with beacon light, a beam splitter 25 that divides the light taken in by the opening 24 into transmitted light and reflected light, and a photographing camera that captures the reflected light divided by the beam splitter 25. 26, a movable mirror 23 that adjusts the direction of the communication light emitted from the optical communication device 10 on its own side, and a control unit 28 that controls the direction of the movable mirror 23, and the control unit 28 is a photographing camera. The captured image captured by 26 is acquired, the center positions of a plurality of LEDs 27 included in the optical communication tracking device 20 on the other side are specified based on the beacon light captured on the captured image, and the optical communication on the own side is specified. By controlling the direction of the movable mirror 23 so that the communication light emitted from the device 10 is incident on the center position, the optical axis can be aligned even if the optical communication tracking device 20 on the other side has various postures. It becomes.

Further, in the optical communication tracking device 20, the plurality of LEDs 27 are two LEDs 27 provided substantially symmetrically with respect to the passing axis of the opening of the communication light, and the control unit 28 refers to the acquired captured image. The intermediate position of the two LEDs 27 included in the optical communication tracking device 20 on the other side is specified based on the captured beacon light, and the communication light emitted from the optical communication device 10 on the own side is incident on the specified intermediate position. If the orientation of the movable mirror 23 is controlled, the optical axis can be aligned with the LED 27 having the minimum configuration.

Further, in the optical communication tracking device 20, the control unit 28 further controls a reference point on the captured image and a movable mirror 23 for emitting communication light from the optical communication device 10 on its own side with respect to the reference point. Refers to the storage means in which the control amount data associated with the information indicating the control amount of is stored, and the self with respect to the center position based on the control amount data associated with a plurality of reference points near the center position. The control amount of the movable mirror 23 for emitting the communication light from the optical communication device 10 on the side is calculated, and the communication emitted from the optical communication device 10 on the own side is based on the calculated control amount of the movable mirror 23. If the orientation of the movable mirror 23 is controlled so that the light is incident on the center position, the optical axis alignment can be performed more accurately as compared with the case where the control amount data of the reference point is not used.

In the above example, the control unit 28 included in the optical communication tracking device 20 executes various control processes, but the optical communication tracking device 20 is controlled by an external control means instead of the control unit 28. The process may be executed. For example, the optical communication tracking device 20 does not include the control unit 28, and an external control means may execute the control process corresponding to the control unit 28. Further, various controls by the control unit 28 may be executed according to various control programs stored in the storage means. The control program stored in the storage means realizes each of the above-mentioned functions in the optical communication tracking device 20. Further, the optical communication device 10 may include an optical communication tracking device 20.

Further, in the above-mentioned example, the optical communication tracking device 20 is provided with the correction laser device 21, but the optical communication device 10 may be provided with the correction laser device 21. Further, in this example, it has been described that the optical communication device 10 performs spatial optical transmission using an optical fiber cable, but the optical communication device 10 is not limited to this as long as it can perform optical communication.

100, 100A, 100B Tracking device integrated optical communication device (integrated device)
10 Optical communication device 11 Optical fiber cable for transmission 12 Lens 13 Optical circulator 14 Movable lens 15 Optical antenna lens 16 Beam splitter 17 Lens 18 Position sensor 19 Optical fiber cable for reception 20 Optical communication tracking device 21 Correction laser device 22 Beam splitter 23 Movable Mirror 24 Opening 25 Beam Splitter 26 Shooting Camera 27 LED
28 Control unit

Claims

In optical communication in which communication light is transmitted and received coaxially between one's own optical communication device and the other's optical communication device, an optical communication tracking device with the same configuration provided in the other's optical communication device (hereinafter referred to as , A tracking device for optical communication for aligning the optical axis with the tracking device on the other side.
An opening for passing the communication light from the optical communication device on the own side and taking in the communication light from the optical communication device on the other side.
A plurality of LEDs provided substantially symmetrically with respect to the passing axis of the opening of the communication light emitted from the optical communication device on the own side and irradiating the tracking device on the other side with beacon light.
A beam splitter that splits the light taken in by the opening into transmitted light and reflected light.
A shooting camera that shoots the reflected light divided by the beam splitter, and
A movable mirror that adjusts the direction of the communication light emitted from the optical communication device on its own side,
A control unit that controls the orientation of the movable mirror is provided.
The control unit
The captured image captured by the capture camera is acquired, and the center positions of a plurality of LEDs included in the other-side tracking device are specified based on the beacon light captured in the captured image.
An optical communication tracking device characterized in that the direction of the movable mirror is controlled so that the communication light emitted from the optical communication device on its own side is incident on the center position.
The plurality of LEDs are two LEDs provided substantially symmetrically with respect to the passing axis of the opening of the communication light.
The control unit
Based on the beacon light captured in the acquired captured image, the intermediate position of the two LEDs included in the other-side tracking device is specified.
The tracking device for optical communication according to claim 1, wherein the direction of the movable mirror is controlled so that the communication light emitted from the optical communication device on its own side is incident on the intermediate position.
The control unit
The control amount data in which the reference point on the captured image and the information indicating the control amount of the movable mirror for emitting the communication light from the optical communication device on the own side with respect to the reference point are associated with each other. With reference to the stored storage means, communication light is emitted from the optical communication device on its own side to the center position based on the control amount data associated with the plurality of reference points in the vicinity of the center position. Calculate the control amount of the movable mirror for
The claim is characterized in that the orientation of the movable mirror is controlled so that the communication light emitted from the optical communication device on its own side is incident on the center position based on the calculated control amount of the movable mirror. 1 or the optical communication tracking device according to claim 2.
An optical communication device comprising the optical communication tracking device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
In optical communication in which communication light is transmitted and received coaxially between one's own optical communication device and the other's optical communication device, an optical communication tracking device with the same configuration provided in the other's optical communication device (hereinafter referred to as , A tracking device for optical communication for aligning the optical axis with the tracking device on the other side.
An opening for passing the communication light from the optical communication device on the own side and taking in the communication light from the optical communication device on the other side.
A plurality of LEDs provided substantially symmetrically with respect to the passing axis of the opening of the communication light emitted from the optical communication device on the own side and irradiating the tracking device on the other side with beacon light.
A beam splitter that splits the light taken in by the opening into transmitted light and reflected light.
A shooting camera that shoots the reflected light divided by the beam splitter, and
It is equipped with a movable mirror that adjusts the direction of the communication light emitted from the optical communication device on its own side.
The movable mirror is
The direction is controlled by the control means so that the communication light emitted from the optical communication device on the own side is incident on the center positions of the plurality of LEDs included in the other side tracking device captured in the image captured by the shooting camera. A tracking device for optical communication characterized by being a thing.