IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,683,690
Granted Patent B2
US 12,683,690 · App. 18/596,455 · Granted Jul 14, 2026

System and method for solar cell photo-luminescence modulation

Inventor: Walter Daniel Leon-Salas (West Lafayette, IN)
Assignee: PURDUE RESEARCH FOUNDATION
H04B10/541H02J7/35H10F10/144H02J2101/24
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,683,690
App. No.
18/596,455
Filed
Mar 5, 2024
Granted
Jul 14, 2026
Kind
B2
Examiner
PHAN, HANH
Art Unit
2634
USPC
398/186
Abstract

A system may include a solar cell and a modulator connected to an output of the solar cell. The system may receive a signal. When the signal being in a first state corresponding to modulation, the modulator may modulate voltage output of the solar cell and cause the solar cell to perform optical transmission. When the signal is in a second state corresponding to energy harvesting, the modulator to cease modulation of the output of the solar cell.

Claims (11)

1 . A system comprising:

a solar cell;

a modulator connected to an output of the solar cell; and

an input configured to receive a signal, wherein the signal being in a first state causes the modulator to modulate voltage output of the solar cell and cause the solar cell to perform optical transmission, the signal being in a second state causes the modulator to cease modulation of the output of the solar cell, and

wherein the modulator comprises a transistor and an op-amp in a feedback loop configuration.

2 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a first switch controlled by the signal, the first switch selectively connecting the op-amp to either a modulation voltage or a voltage higher than the open contact voltage of the op-amp, wherein the signal being in the first state connects the op-amp to a modulation voltage, wherein the signal being in the second state connects the op-amp to a voltage higher than the open contact voltage of the op-amp.

3 . The system of claim 2 , further comprising a second switch controlled by the signal, the select switch selectively connecting the output of the solar cell to a DC to DC converter, wherein the signal being in the first state disconnects the output of the solar cell from the DC to DC converter, wherein the signal being in the second state connects the output of the solar cell to the DC to DC converter.

4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the voltage higher than the open contact voltage of the op-ap is provided by the output of the DC to DC converter.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the transistor is a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor.

6 . The system of claim 1 , further comparing an optical receiver, wherein the optical receiver is configured to receive the optical transmission from the solar cell.

7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the solar cell is a Gallium arsenide (GaAs) solar cell.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 4, 2024
From: LEON-SALAS, WALTER DANIEL
To: PURDUE RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Reel/Frame 068796/0240 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63450052 · Mar 5, 2023
Related Publication 20240297718A1 · Sep 5, 2024
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