Patents by Inventor Devin Brinkley

Devin Brinkley has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20250020968
    Abstract: An optical phased array (OPA) photonic integrated chip includes a plurality of array elements, a plurality of phase shifters, a plurality of combiners, and an edge coupler configured to couple to a single mode waveguide. The plurality of phase shifters includes a layer of phase shifters that has a phase shifter connected to each array element in the plurality of array elements. The plurality of combiners is configured to connect the plurality of phase shifters to the edge coupler. The plurality of combiners includes a first combiner that has a first output that is connected to a second combiner or the edge coupler, and a second output of the first combiner is connected to a photodetector. An in-phase light portion at the first combiner is output through the first output, and an out-of-phase light portion at the first combiner is output through the second output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2024
    Publication date: January 16, 2025
    Inventors: Devin Brinkley, Baris Ibrahim Erkmen, Joaquin Matres Abril, Paul Epp
  • Patent number: 12153324
    Abstract: An optical phased array (OPA) photonic integrated chip includes a plurality of array elements, a plurality of phase shifters, a plurality of combiners, and an edge coupler configured to couple to a single mode waveguide. The plurality of phase shifters includes a layer of phase shifters that has a phase shifter connected to each array element in the plurality of array elements. The plurality of combiners is configured to connect the plurality of phase shifters to the edge coupler. The plurality of combiners includes a first combiner that has a first output that is connected to a second combiner or the edge coupler, and a second output of the first combiner is connected to a photodetector. An in-phase light portion at the first combiner is output through the first output, and an out-of-phase light portion at the first combiner is output through the second output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Devin Brinkley, Baris Ibrahim Erkmen, Joaquin Matres Abril, Paul Epp
  • Patent number: 12132523
    Abstract: A system includes a transmitter configured to output an optical signal. The transmitter includes a seed laser, an optical array including a plurality of array elements, and a plurality of phase shifters in a multi-layer arrangement. The multi-layer arrangement includes a plurality of layers between the seed laser and the optical array, wherein a first layer of the plurality of layers transmits light to a second layer of the plurality of layers. The first layer has fewer phase shifters than the second layer. The multi-layer arrangement also includes a plurality of branches wherein each branch includes a phase shifter from each of the plurality of layers connected in series between the seed laser and one of the plurality of array elements. Each phase shifter is configured to shift the optical signal incrementally to amass a total phase shift for each of the plurality of array elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: X DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventors: Baris Ibrahim Erkmen, Devin Brinkley, Paul Epp, John Moody
  • Publication number: 20240333385
    Abstract: The technology relates to free-space optical communication systems that correct for errors in tracking and pointing accuracy to maintain connection integrity. Such systems can both proactively and reactively correct for errors in tracking performance and pointing accuracy of terminals within the system. An aspect includes receiving information indicative of at least one external disturbance associated with a communication device. A determination is made for a proactive estimation indicative of a first error associated with an effect of the at least one external disturbance at a current timestep. A determination is made for a reactive estimation indicative of a second error associated with the effect of the at least one external disturbance at a previous timestep. A final control signal is determined based on the proactive estimation and the reactive estimation. A controller is able to actuate an optical assembly of the communication device based on the determined final control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2024
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Inventors: Paul Csonka, Baris Ibrahim Erkmen, Devin Brinkley
  • Publication number: 20240310691
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide an optical communications terminal comprising an optical phased array (OPA) photonic integrated chip comprising a plurality of phase shifters arranged in a plurality of segments; one or more additional phase shifters, a plurality of switches corresponding to each of the plurality of segments; and one or more splitters The optical communications terminal further comprising a full array transceiver configured to allow for transmission and receipt of optical communications beams functionality with the plurality of segments; and a plurality of segment transceivers each associated with one of the plurality of segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2024
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Applicant: X DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventors: Paul Epp, Devin Brinkley, Andrei Kazmierski
  • Publication number: 20240275484
    Abstract: A free-space optical communication system includes an optical phased array (OPA) photonic integrated chip, a transceiver photonic integrated chip, and one or more processors. The OPA chip includes a plurality of array elements and a plurality of phase shifters. The transceiver chip includes one or more transmitter components and one or more receiver components. The one or more processors are configured to transmit a first signal via the OPA chip and the transceiver chip, and receive a second signal via the OPA chip and the transceiver chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2024
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventors: Baris Ibrahim Erkmen, Devin Brinkley, Paul Epp, John Moody
  • Patent number: 12044949
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a system including a first communications terminal. The first communications terminal may include an optical phased array (OPA) including a plurality of phase shifters configured to receive an optical communications beam from a second communications terminal. The first communications terminal may also include one or more processors configured to determine a link axis for communication with the second communications terminal based on the received optical communications beam, identify a compensatory wavefront curvature for mitigating cross-coupling, and generate a wavefront of an outgoing optical communications beam using the plurality of phase shifters based on the determined link axis and the compensatory wavefront curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Paul Epp, Andrei Kazmierski, Devin Brinkley
  • Patent number: 12034478
    Abstract: The technology relates to free-space optical communication systems that correct for errors in tracking and pointing accuracy to maintain connection integrity. Such systems can both proactively and reactively correct for errors in tracking performance and pointing accuracy of terminals within the system. An aspect includes receiving information indicative of at least one external disturbance associated with a communication device. A determination is made for a proactive estimation indicative of a first error associated with an effect of the at least one external disturbance at a current timestep. A determination is made for a reactive estimation indicative of a second error associated with the effect of the at least one external disturbance at a previous timestep. A final control signal is determined based on the proactive estimation and the reactive estimation. A controller is able to actuate an optical assembly of the communication device based on the determined final control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Paul Csonka, Baris Ibrahim Erkmen, Devin Brinkley
  • Publication number: 20240195500
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a method of adjusting a plurality of phase shifters of an OPA. The method may include identifying, by one or more processors, one or more first subsets of phase shifters of the plurality of phase shifters based on an orthogonal set of functions; performing, by the one or more processors, one or more first dithers on the one or more first subsets of phase shifters of the plurality of phase shifters using one or more first frequencies of a predetermined set of frequencies; determining, by the one or more processors, one or more first corrections based on a first power output of the OPA resulting from the one or more first dithers; and adjusting, by the one or more processors, the one or more first subsets using the one or more first corrections, the adjustment resulting in a first set of corrected phase shifter values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2023
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Applicant: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Ondrej Cierny, Paul Epp, Jean-Laurent Plateau, Bruce Moision, Joaquin Matres Abril, Devin Brinkley
  • Publication number: 20240192572
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a system including a first communications terminal. The first communications terminal may include an optical phased array (OPA) including a plurality of phase shifters configured to receive an optical communications beam from a second communications terminal. The first communications terminal may also include one or more processors configured to determine a link axis for communication with the second communications terminal based on the received optical communications beam, identify a compensatory wavefront curvature for mitigating cross-coupling, and generate a wavefront of an outgoing optical communications beam using the plurality of phase shifters based on the determined link axis and the compensatory wavefront curvature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Inventors: Paul Epp, Andrei Kazmierski, Devin Brinkley
  • Publication number: 20240192487
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a system including a first optical communications terminal comprising. The first optical communications terminal may include a common aperture for transmitting signals and receiving signals. The first optical communications terminal may also include an optical phased array (OPA) architecture including a micro-lens array including a plurality of micro-lenses. Each micro-lens of the plurality of micro-lenses may have a plurality of concentric grooves arranged on a respective surface of that micro-lens. The OPA architecture may be configured for bidirectional communication with a second optical communications terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2023
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Inventors: Paul Epp, Andrei Kazmierski, Devin Brinkley
  • Patent number: 11996886
    Abstract: A free-space optical communication system includes an optical phased array (OPA) photonic integrated chip, a transceiver photonic integrated chip, and one or more processors. The OPA chip includes a plurality of array elements and a plurality of phase shifters. The transceiver chip includes one or more transmitter components and one or more receiver components. The one or more processors are configured to transmit a first signal via the OPA chip and the transceiver chip, and receive a second signal via the OPA chip and the transceiver chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Baris Ibrahim Erkmen, Devin Brinkley, Paul Epp, John Moody
  • Publication number: 20240106545
    Abstract: The optical tracking module includes an optical phased array (OPA), an analog drive, an integrated photodetector, and one or more processors. The OPA includes a plurality of array elements, and a plurality of phase shifters. The analog drive is configured to adjust the plurality of phase shifters. The integrated photodetector is configured to receive light from the OPA. The one or more processors is configured to extract signal information of an incoming beam via the OPA, and control an outgoing beam using the analog drive based on the signal information. The OPA, the analog drive, the integrated photodetector and the one or more processors are in an integrated circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Baris Ibrahim Erkmen, Devin Brinkley, Eric Teller, Thomas Moore, Jean-Laurent Plateau
  • Patent number: 11909452
    Abstract: An optical communication system includes an optical transmitter and one or more processors. The optical transmitter is configured to output an optical signal, and includes an average-power-limited optical amplifier, such as an erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA). The one or more processors are configured to receive optical signal data related to a received power for a communication link from a remote communication system and determine that the optical signal data is likely to fall below a minimum received power within a time interval. In response to the determination, the one or more processors are configured to determine a duty cycle of the optical transmitter based on a minimum on-cycle length and a predicted EDFA output power and operate the optical transmitter using the determined duty cycle to transmit an on-cycle power that is no less than the minimum required receiver power for error-free operation of the communication link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Moision, Devin Brinkley, Baris Ibrahim Erkmen
  • Patent number: 11888530
    Abstract: The optical tracking module includes an optical phased array (OPA), an analog drive, an integrated photodetector, and one or more processors. The OPA includes a plurality of array elements, and a plurality of phase shifters. The analog drive is configured to adjust the plurality of phase shifters. The integrated photodetector is configured to receive light from the OPA. The one or more processors is configured to extract signal information of an incoming beam via the OPA, and control an outgoing beam using the analog drive based on the signal information. The OPA, the analog drive, the integrated photodetector and the one or more processors are in an integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: X DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventors: Baris Ibrahim Erkmen, Devin Brinkley, Eric Teller, Thomas Moore, Jean-Laurent Plateau
  • Publication number: 20240022331
    Abstract: A system includes a transmitter configured to output an optical signal. The transmitter includes a seed laser, an optical array including a plurality of array elements, and a plurality of phase shifters in a multi-layer arrangement. The multi-layer arrangement includes a plurality of layers between the seed laser and the optical array, wherein a first layer of the plurality of layers transmits light to a second layer of the plurality of layers. The first layer has fewer phase shifters than the second layer. The multi-layer arrangement also includes a plurality of branches wherein each branch includes a phase shifter from each of the plurality of layers connected in series between the seed laser and one of the plurality of array elements. Each phase shifter is configured to shift the optical signal incrementally to amass a total phase shift for each of the plurality of array elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventors: Baris Ibrahim Erkmen, Devin Brinkley, Paul Epp, John Moody
  • Patent number: 11817943
    Abstract: The technology employs a state-based power control loop (PCL) architecture to maintain tracking and communication signal-to-noise ratios at suitable levels for optimal tracking performance and data throughput in a free-space optical communication system. Power for a link is adjustable to stay within a functional range of receiving sensors in order to provide continuous service to users. This avoids oversaturation and possible damage to the equipment. The approach can include decreasing or increasing the power to counteract a surge or drop while maintaining a near constant received power at a remote communication device. The system may receive power adjustment feedback from another communication terminal and perform state-based power control according to the received feedback. This can include re-initializing and reacquiring a link with the other communication terminal automatically after loss of power, without human intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Paul Csonka, Travis Lantz, Baris Ibrahim Erkmen, Devin Brinkley
  • Patent number: 11804906
    Abstract: A system includes a transmitter configured to output an optical signal. The transmitter includes a seed laser, an optical array including a plurality of array elements, and a plurality of phase shifters in a multi-layer arrangement. The multi-layer arrangement includes a plurality of layers between the seed laser and the optical array, wherein a first layer of the plurality of layers transmits light to a second layer of the plurality of layers. The first layer has fewer phase shifters than the second layer. The multi-layer arrangement also includes a plurality of branches wherein each branch includes a phase shifter from each of the plurality of layers connected in series between the seed laser and one of the plurality of array elements. Each phase shifter is configured to shift the optical signal incrementally to amass a total phase shift for each of the plurality of array elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: X DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventors: Baris Ibrahim Erkmen, Devin Brinkley, Paul Epp, John Moody
  • Publication number: 20230318705
    Abstract: The technology relates to free-space optical communication systems that correct for errors in tracking and pointing accuracy to maintain connection integrity. Such systems can both proactively and reactively correct for errors in tracking performance and pointing accuracy of terminals within the system. An aspect includes receiving information indicative of at least one external disturbance associated with a communication device. A determination is made for a proactive estimation indicative of a first error associated with an effect of the at least one external disturbance at a current timestep. A determination is made for a reactive estimation indicative of a second error associated with the effect of the at least one external disturbance at a previous timestep. A final control signal is determined based on the proactive estimation and the reactive estimation. A controller is able to actuate an optical assembly of the communication device based on the determined final control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Paul Csonka, Baris Ibrahim Erkmen, Devin Brinkley
  • Patent number: 11777603
    Abstract: The disclosure provides for a free-space optical communication system that includes a first lens group, a field corrector lens, and a second lens group. The first lens group is configured to receive light received from a remote free-space optical transmitter. The first lens group has a first focal plane. The field corrector lens is positioned between the first lens group and the first focal plane of the first lens group and positioned closer to the first focal plane than the first lens group. The first lens group also is made of material having an index of refraction of at least 2.0, and has a second focal plane. The second lens group is positioned at the second focal plane of the field corrector lens and is configured to couple light to a sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Nam-hyong Kim, Andrei Kazmierski, Devin Brinkley