Electronic device with high frequency wireless communication capability

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to electronic devices with high frequency wireless communication capabilities. An electronic device can include an antenna that transmits wireless signals with frequencies greater than 100 GHz. The antenna can include a radiating element coupled to a single row carrier photodiode (UTC PD). An optical path can illuminate the UTC PD using a first optical local oscillator (LO) signal and a second optical LO signal. An optical phase shift can be applied to the first optical LO signal. A Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM) can be interposed on the optical path. During signal transmission, the MZM can modulate wireless data onto the second optical LO signal when a control circuit applies a first bias voltage to the UTC PD. During signal reception, the control circuit can apply a second bias voltage to the UTC PD that configures the UTC PD to convert a received wireless signal into an intermediate frequency signal and / or an optical signal.

Description

[0001] This patent application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 834,695, filed June 7, 2022, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 235,423, filed August 20, 2021, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to electronic devices, and more particularly to electronic devices with wireless circuitry. BACKGROUND

[0003] Electronic devices often have wireless capabilities. Electronic devices with wireless capabilities have wireless circuitry that includes one or more antennas. The wireless circuitry is used to perform communications using radio frequency signals that are transmitted by the antennas.

[0004] As software applications on electronic devices become more data-intensive over time, there has been an increased demand for electronic devices that support wireless communications at higher data rates. However, the maximum data rate supported by an electronic device is limited by the frequency of the radio frequency signals. Moreover, it can be difficult to implement wireless circuitry that handles high data rates in a resource-efficient and spatially-efficient manner. SUMMARY

[0005] An electronic device can include wireless circuitry that is controlled by one or more processors. The wireless circuitry can include transceiver circuitry, one or more antennas, and one or more optical signal paths that couple the transceiver circuitry to each of the antennas. To support extremely high data rates, the antennas can transmit wireless signals at frequencies greater than or equal to about 100 GHz. Each antenna can use a time-division duplexing scheme to transmit and receive the wireless signals.

[0006] An antenna can include an antenna radiating element that is coupled to a programmable photodiode, such as a single-row carrier photodiode (UTC PD). The optical signal path can illuminate the UTC PD using a first optical local oscillator (LO) signal and a second optical LO signal that is offset in wavelength relative to the first optical LO signal. If desired, an optical phase shift can be applied to the first optical LO signal. This can allow a signal beam to be formed in implementations where the antenna is formed in a phased antenna array.

[0007] An optical modulator, such as a Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM), can be interposed on the optical path. A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) can be coupled to the MZM on the transmit path. During signal transmission, the DAC can output wireless data onto the transmit path. The MZM can modulate the wireless data onto a second optical LO signal. The control circuitry can apply a first bias voltage to the UTC PD, the first bias voltage configuring the UTC PD to convert the first optical LO signal and the modulated second optical LO signal into a current on the antenna radiating element, the frequency of the current given by the frequency difference between the first optical LO signal and the second optical LO signal. The current can be at a frequency greater than 100 GHz. The UTC PD can preserve the modulation in the second optical LO signal such that the current on the antenna radiating element radiates a wireless signal that includes the wireless data output by the DAC.

[0008] During signal reception, the antenna radiating element receives a wireless signal at a frequency greater than 100 GHz. The control circuitry can apply a second bias voltage to the UTC PD, the second bias voltage configuring the UTC PD to convert the wireless signal into an intermediate frequency signal (e.g., at a millimeter wave frequency) that is lower in frequency than the wireless signal using the first optical LO signal and the second optical LO signal. The receive path can pass the intermediate frequency signal to the MZM for conversion to the optical domain or can pass the intermediate frequency signal to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). In other implementations, the second bias voltage can configure the UTC PD to directly sample the received wireless signal into the optical domain using the first optical LO signal and the second optical LO signal. The control circuitry can recover the wireless data from the intermediate frequency signal or the signal in the optical domain. In this way, the same antenna and optical signal path can be used for transmitting and receiving extremely high frequency signals to support extremely high data rates while also supporting beams implemented in a phased antenna array, thereby minimizing the spatial and resource consumption within the device.

[0009] One aspect of the disclosure provides an electronic device. The electronic device can include a photodiode. The electronic device can include an optical signal path configured to illuminate the photodiode using a first optical local oscillator (LO) signal and a second optical LO signal that is offset in wavelength relative to the first optical LO signal. The electronic device can include an optical modulator disposed along the optical signal path and configured to modulate wireless data onto the second optical LO signal. The electronic device can include an antenna radiating element coupled to the photodiode. The photodiode can be configured to generate a current on the antenna radiating element at a frequency greater than or equal to 100 GHz based on the first optical LO signal, the second optical LO signal, and a bias voltage applied to the photodiode, the current on the antenna radiating element configured to radiate a wireless signal that includes the wireless data. The electronic device can include a receive path coupling the photodiode to the optical modulator.

[0010] One aspect of this disclosure provides an electronic device. The electronic device can include a photodiode. The electronic device can include an optical signal path configured to illuminate the photodiode with a first optical local oscillator (LO) signal and a second optical LO signal having a wavelength offset relative to the first optical LO signal. The electronic device can include an optical modulator disposed along the optical signal path. The electronic device can include a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) configured to output wireless data. The electronic device can include a transmit path coupling the DAC to the optical modulator and configured to communicate the wireless data from the DAC to the optical modulator, the optical modulator configured to modulate the wireless data onto the second optical LO signal. The electronic device can include an antenna radiating element coupled to the photodiode. The photodiode can be configured to generate a current on the antenna radiating element having a frequency greater than or equal to 100 GHz based on the first optical LO signal, the second optical LO signal, and a bias voltage applied to the photodiode, the current on the antenna radiating element configured to emit a wireless signal including the wireless data. The electronic device can include an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The electronic device can include a receive path coupling the photodiode to the ADC.

[0011] One aspect of this disclosure provides a method of operating an electronic device. The method can include generating, with an optical component, a first optical local oscillator (LO) signal and a second optical LO signal having a wavelength offset relative to the first optical LO signal. The method can include modulating, with a Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM), wireless data onto the second optical LO signal. The method can include converting, with a single-transit-carrier photodiode (UTC PD), the first optical LO signal and the second optical LO signal to a current on an antenna radiating element having a frequency greater than 100 GHz when the UTC PD is biased with a first bias voltage. The method can include emitting, with the antenna radiating element, a first wireless signal associated with the current, where the first wireless signal includes the wireless data. The method can include receiving, with the UTC PD, a second wireless signal having a frequency greater than 100 GHz using the antenna radiating element when the UTC PD is biased with a second bias voltage different from the first bias voltage. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 Block diagram of an exemplary electronic device having wireless circuitry with at least one antenna that emits and receives wireless signals having a frequency greater than about 100 GHz, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0013] Figure 2 Top view of an exemplary antenna that emits wireless signals having a frequency greater than about 100 GHz based on optical local oscillator (LO) signals, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0014] Figure 3 A top view of how an exemplary antenna of the type shown can convert a received wireless signal of a frequency greater than about 100 GHz to an intermediate frequency signal based on an optical LO signal, in accordance with some embodiments. Figure 2 A top view of how an exemplary antenna of the type shown can convert a received wireless signal of a frequency greater than about 100 GHz to an intermediate frequency signal based on an optical LO signal, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0015] Figure 4 A top view of how an exemplary antenna of the type shown can convert a received wireless signal of a frequency greater than about 100 GHz to an intermediate frequency signal based on an optical LO signal, in accordance with some embodiments. Figure 2 and Figure 3 A top view of how multiple antennas of the type shown can be stacked to cover multiple polarizations.

[0016] Figure 5 A top view of how a stack of antennas of the type shown can be integrated into a phased antenna array for transmitting wireless signals of a frequency greater than about 100 GHz within a corresponding signal beam, in accordance with some embodiments. Figure 4 A top view of how a stack of antennas of the type shown can be integrated into a phased antenna array for transmitting wireless signals of a frequency greater than about 100 GHz within a corresponding signal beam, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0017] Figure 6 A circuit diagram of an exemplary wireless circuit with an antenna that transmits wireless signals of a frequency greater than about 100 GHz and receives wireless signals of a frequency greater than about 100 GHz for conversion to an intermediate frequency, then to the optical domain, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0018] Figure 7 A circuit diagram of an exemplary wireless circuit with an antenna that transmits wireless signals of a frequency greater than about 100 GHz and receives wireless signals of a frequency greater than about 100 GHz for conversion to an intermediate frequency, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0019] Figure 8 A circuit diagram of an exemplary wireless circuit with an antenna that transmits wireless signals of a frequency greater than about 100 GHz and receives wireless signals of a frequency greater than about 100 GHz for direct sampling to the optical domain, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0020] Figure 9 A circuit diagram of an exemplary phased antenna array that transmits wireless signals of a frequency greater than about 100 GHz within a corresponding signal beam, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0021] Figure 10 A flowchart of exemplary operations that can be performed by a wireless circuit system to transmit and receive wireless signals of a frequency greater than 100 GHz using the same antenna, in accordance with some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Figure 1The electronic device 10 (sometimes referred to herein as electro-optical device 10) can be: a computing device, such as a laptop computer, desktop computer, computer monitor containing an embedded computer, tablet computer, cellular phone, media player, or other handheld or portable electronic device; a smaller device, such as a wristwatch, a wristband, a headset or handset, a device embedded in eyeglasses, goggles; or other equipment worn on a user's head; or other wearable or micro-devices, televisions, computer monitors not containing an embedded computer, gaming devices, navigation devices, embedded systems (such as systems in which electronic equipment with a display is installed in a kiosk or vehicle), voice-controlled speakers connected to the wireless internet, home entertainment devices, remote control devices, game controllers, peripheral user input devices, wireless base stations or access points, equipment that enables the functionality of two or more of these devices; or other electronic equipment.

[0023] like Figure 1 As shown in the functional block diagram, device 10 may include components located on or within an electronic device housing, such as housing 12. Housing 12 (sometimes referred to as a shell) may be formed of plastic, glass, ceramic, fiber composite material, metal (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, metal alloys, etc.), other suitable materials, or combinations of these materials. In some cases, housing 12 may be partially or entirely formed of dielectric or other low-conductivity materials (e.g., glass, ceramic, plastic, sapphire, etc.). In other cases, housing 12 or at least some of the structures constituting housing 12 may be formed of metallic elements.

[0024] Device 10 may include control circuitry 14. Control circuitry 14 may include storage devices, such as storage circuitry 16. Storage circuitry 16 may include hard disk drive storage devices, non-volatile memory (e.g., flash memory configured to form a solid-state drive or other electrically programmable read-only memory), volatile memory (e.g., static random access memory or dynamic random access memory), etc. Storage circuitry 16 may include storage devices and / or removable storage media integrated within device 10.

[0025] The control circuit 14 can include processing circuitry, such as the processing circuitry 18. The processing circuitry 18 can be used to control operation of the device 10. The processing circuitry 18 can include one or more processors, microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, host processors, baseband processors integrated circuits, application-specific integrated circuits, central processing units (CPUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), etc. The control circuit 14 can be configured to perform operations in the device 10 using hardware (e.g., dedicated hardware or circuitry), firmware, and / or software. Software code for performing operations in the device 10 can be stored on the storage circuitry 16 (e.g., the storage circuitry 16 can include a non-transitory (tangible) computer-readable storage medium that stores the software code). This software code can sometimes be referred to as program instructions, software, data, instructions, or code. The software code stored on the storage circuitry 16 can be executed by the processing circuitry 18.

[0026] The control circuit 14 can be used to run software on the device 10, such as a satellite navigation application, an Internet browsing application, a Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) telephone call application, an email application, a media playback application, operating system functions, etc. To support interaction with external equipment, the control circuit 14 can be used to implement communication protocols. Communication protocols that can be implemented using the control circuit 14 include Internet Protocols, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) protocols (e.g., IEEE 802.11 protocols - sometimes referred to as Wi-Fi® protocols), Bluetooth® protocols or other wireless personal area network (WPAN) protocols for other short-range wireless communication links, IEEE 802.11 ad protocols (e.g., ultra-wideband protocols), cellular telephone protocols (e.g., 3G protocols, 4G (LTE) protocols, 3GPP Fifth Generation (5G) New Radio (NR) protocols, Sixth Generation (6G) protocols, sub-THz protocols, THz protocols, etc.), antenna diversity protocols, satellite navigation system protocols (e.g., Global Positioning System (GPS) protocols, Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) protocols, etc.), antenna-based spatial ranging protocols, optical communication protocols, or any other desired communication protocol. Each communication protocol can be associated with a corresponding Radio Access Technology (RAT) that specifies the physical connection method used to implement the protocol. The control circuit 14 can be used to run software on the device 10, such as a satellite navigation application, an Internet browsing application, a Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) telephone call application, an email application, a media playback application, operating system functions, etc. To support interaction with external equipment, the control circuit 14 can be used to implement communication protocols. Communication protocols that can be implemented using the control circuit 14 include Internet Protocols, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) protocols (e.g., IEEE 802.11 protocols - sometimes referred to as Wi-Fi® protocols), Bluetooth® protocols or other wireless personal area network (WPAN) protocols for other short-range wireless communication links, IEEE 802.11 ad protocols (e.g., ultra-wideband protocols), cellular telephone protocols (e.g., 3G protocols, 4G (LTE) protocols, 3GPP Fifth Generation (5G) New Radio (NR) protocols, Sixth Generation (6G) protocols, sub-THz protocols, THz protocols, etc.), antenna diversity protocols, satellite navigation system protocols (e.g., Global Positioning System (GPS) protocols, Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) protocols, etc.), antenna-based spatial ranging protocols, optical communication protocols, or any other desired communication protocol. Each communication protocol can be associated with a corresponding Radio Access Technology (RAT) that specifies the physical connection method used to implement the protocol.

[0027] ​Device 10 can include input-output circuitry 20. Input-output circuitry 20 can include input-output devices 22. Input-output devices 22 can be used to allow data to be supplied to device 10 and to allow data to be provided from device 10 to external devices. Input-output devices 22 can include user interface devices, data port devices, and other input-output components. For example, input-output devices 22 can include touch sensors, displays (e.g., touch-sensitive displays and / or force-sensitive displays), light-emitting components such as displays without touch-sensor capabilities, buttons (mechanical, capacitive, optical, etc.), scroll wheels, touchpads, keypads, keyboards, microphones, cameras, buttons, speakers, status indicators, audio jack and other audio port components, digital data port devices, motion sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, and / or compasses that detect motion), capacitive sensors, proximity sensors, magnetic sensors, force sensors (e.g., force sensors coupled to displays to detect pressure applied to the displays), temperature sensors, and the like. In some configurations, keyboards, headphones, displays, pointing devices such as trackpads, mice, and joysticks, and other input-output devices can be coupled to device 10 using wired or wireless connections (e.g., some of input-output devices 22 can be peripheral devices that are coupled to a main processing unit or other portion of device 10 via wired or wireless links).

[0028] Input-output circuitry 20 can include wireless circuitry 24 to support wireless communications. Wireless circuitry 24 (sometimes referred to herein as wireless communication circuitry 24) can include one or more antennas 30.

[0029] Wireless circuitry 24 can also include transceiver circuitry 26. Transceiver circuitry 26 can include transmitter circuitry, receiver circuitry, modulator circuitry, demodulator circuitry (e.g., one or more modems), radio frequency circuitry, one or more radios, intermediate frequency circuitry, optical transmitter circuitry, optical receiver circuitry, optical light sources, other optical components, baseband circuitry (e.g., one or more baseband processors), amplifier circuitry, clock circuitry such as one or more local oscillators and / or phase-locked loops, memory, one or more registers, filter circuitry, switching circuitry, analog-to-digital converter (ADC) circuitry, digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuitry, radio-frequency transmit lines, optical fibers, and / or any other circuitry for transmitting and / or receiving wireless signals using antennas 30. The components of transceiver circuitry 26 can be implemented on one integrated circuit, chip, system-on-chip (SOC), die, printed circuit board, substrate, or package, or the components of transceiver circuitry 26 can be distributed across two or more integrated circuits, chips, SOCs, printed circuit boards, substrates, and / or packages.

[0030] Figure 1 Examples are merely illustrative. Although the Figure 1In the example of FIG. 1, the control circuit 14 is shown as separate from the wireless circuit 24, but the wireless circuit 24 can include processing circuitry (e.g., one or more processors) that forms part of the processing circuitry 18 and / or storage circuitry that forms part of the storage circuitry 16 of the control circuit 14 (e.g., portions of the control circuit 14 can be implemented on the wireless circuit 24). As one example, the control circuit 14 can include baseband circuitry (e.g., one or more baseband processors), digital control circuitry, analog control circuitry, and / or other control circuitry that forms part of the wireless circuit 24. The baseband circuitry may, for example, access a communication protocol stack on the control circuit 14 (e.g., the storage circuitry 20) to: perform user plane functions at a PHY layer, a MAC layer, an RLC layer, a PDCP layer, an SDAP layer, and / or a PDU layer; and / or perform control plane functions at a PHY layer, a MAC layer, an RLC layer, a PDCP layer, an RRC layer, and / or a non-access stratum layer.

[0031] The transceiver circuit 26 can be coupled to each antenna 30 in the wireless circuit 24 through a respective signal path 28. Each signal path 28 can include one or more radio frequency transmission lines, waveguides, optical fibers, and / or any other desired lines / paths for communicating wireless signals between the transceiver circuit 26 and the antenna 30. The antennas 30 can be formed using any desired antenna structure for communicating wireless signals. For example, the antennas 30 can include antennas with resonant elements formed from dipole antenna structures, planar dipole antenna structures (e.g., bowtie antenna structures), slot antenna structures, loop antenna structures, patch antenna structures, inverted-F antenna structures, planar inverted-F antenna structures, helical antenna structures, monopole antennas, dipoles, hybrids of these designs, etc. Filter circuitry, switching circuitry, impedance matching circuitry, and / or other antenna tuning components can be adjusted to adjust the frequency response and wireless performance of the antennas 30 over time.

[0032] If desired, two or more of the antennas 30 can be integrated into a phased antenna array (sometimes referred to herein as a phased array antenna) in which each of the antennas transmits a wireless signal having a respective phase and magnitude that is adjusted over time, so the wireless signals constructively and destructively interfere to produce (form) a signal beam in a given pointing direction. As used herein, the term “transmitting a wireless signal” means emission and / or reception of a wireless signal (e.g., for performing one-way and / or two-way wireless communication with external wireless communication equipment). The antennas 30 can transmit wireless signals by radiating the signals into free space (or through an intervening device structure such as a dielectric cover layer to free space). Additionally or alternatively, the antennas 30 can receive wireless signals from free space (e.g., through an intervening device structure such as a dielectric cover layer). The transmission and reception of wireless signals by the antennas 30 each involve excitation or resonance of antenna currents on antenna resonating (radiating) elements in the antennas by wireless signals within the operating frequency band of the antennas.

[0033] The transceiver circuitry 26 can transmit and / or receive wireless signals using the antennas 30 that convey wireless communication data between the device 10 and external wireless communication equipment (e.g., one or more other devices such as the device 10, a wireless access point or base station, etc.). The wireless communication data can be conveyed bi-directionally or unidirectionally. The wireless communication data may, for example, include data that has been encoded into corresponding data packets, such as wireless data associated with a telephone call, streaming media content, internet browsing, wireless data associated with a software application running on the device 10, email messages, etc.

[0034] In addition or alternatively, wireless circuitry 24 can perform wireless sensing operations using antennas 30. Sensing operations can allow device 10 to detect (e.g., sense or identify) the presence, location, orientation, and / or velocity (motion) of objects external to device 10. Control circuitry 14 can use the detected presence, location, orientation, and / or velocity of external objects to perform any desired device operations. As examples, control circuitry 14 can use the detected presence, location, orientation, and / or velocity of external objects to identify corresponding user inputs for one or more software applications running on device 10, such as gesture inputs performed by a user’s hand or other body part or by an external stylus, game controller, headset, or other peripheral device or accessory, to determine when one or more antennas 30 need to be disabled or set with a reduced maximum transmit power level (e.g., to satisfy regulatory limits on radio frequency exposure), to determine how to steer (shape) radio frequency signal beams produced by antennas 30 for wireless circuitry 24 (e.g., in cases where antennas 30 include a phased array of antennas 30), to map or model an environment around device 10 (e.g., to produce a software model of a room in which device 10 is located for use by an augmented reality application, a game application, a mapping application, a home design application, an engineering application, etc.), to detect the presence of obstacles near (e.g., around) device 10 or in a direction of motion of a user of device 10, etc.

[0035] Wireless circuitry 24 can transmit and / or receive wireless signals within corresponding frequency bands of the electromagnetic spectrum (sometimes referred to herein as communication bands or simply “bands”). The frequency bands handled by communication circuitry 26 can include wireless local area network (WLAN) frequency bands (e.g., Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 bands) such as the 2.4 GHz WLAN band (e.g., 2400-2480 MHz), the 5 GHz WLAN band (e.g., 5180-5825 MHz), the 6E band (e.g., 5925-7125 MHz), and / or other WLAN bands. ​​​Bluetooth® bands or other WPAN communication bands; cellular telephone bands (e.g., bands of about 600 MHz to about 5 GHz, 3G bands, 4G LTE bands, 5G New Radio Frequency Range 1 (FR1) bands below 10 GHz, 5G New Radio Frequency Range 2 (FR2) bands between 20 GHz and 60 GHz, etc.); other centimeter or millimeter wave bands between 10 GHz - 100 GHz; near field communication bands (e.g., 13.56 MHz); satellite navigation bands (e.g., GPS bands of 1565 MHz to 1610 MHz, GLONASS bands, BeiDou satellite navigation system (BDS) bands, etc.); ultra-wideband (UWB) bands operating under IEEE 802.15.4 protocols and / or other ultra- wideband communication protocols; communication bands belonging to the 3GPP family of wireless communication standards; communication bands belonging to the IEEE 802.XX family of standards; and / or any other desired band of interest.

[0036] Over time, software applications on electronic devices such as device 10 have become increasingly data-intensive. As a result, wireless circuitry on electronic devices is required to support data transmission at increasingly higher data rates. Generally, the data rate supported by wireless circuitry is proportional to the frequency of wireless signals transmitted by the wireless circuitry (e.g., higher frequencies can support higher data rates as compared to lower frequencies). Wireless circuitry 24 can transmit centimeter and millimeter wave signals to support relatively high data rates (e.g., because centimeter and millimeter wave signals are at relatively high frequencies between about 10 GHz and 100 GHz). However, the data rates supported by centimeter and millimeter wave signals can still be insufficient to meet all data transmission needs of device 10. To support even higher data rates, such as data rates up to 5 Gbps - 10 Gbps or higher, wireless circuitry 24 can transmit wireless signals at frequencies greater than 100 GHz.

[0037] As Figure 1As shown, the wireless circuitry 24 can transmit wireless signals 32 at frequencies greater than about 100 GHz and can receive wireless signals 34 at frequencies greater than about this value. The wireless signals 32 and 34 can sometimes be referred to herein as extremely high frequency (THF) signals 32 and 34, sub-THz signals 32 and 34, THz signals 32 and 34, or sub-millimeter wave signals 32 and 34. The THF signals 32 and 34 can be at sub-THz frequencies or THz frequencies such as frequencies between 100 GHz and 1 THz, between 100 GHz and 10 THz, between 100 GHz and 2 THz, between 200 GHz and 1 THz, between 300 GHz and 1 THz, between 300 GHz and 2 THz, between 300 GHz and 10 THz, between 100 GHz and 800 GHz, between 200 GHz and 1.5 THz, etc. (e.g., within a sub-THz, THz, THF, or sub-millimeter frequency band such as a 6G frequency band). The high data rates supported by these frequencies can be utilized by the device 10 to perform cellular telephone voice and / or data communications (e.g., while supporting spatial multiplexing to provide additional data bandwidth), to perform spatial ranging operations such as radar operations to detect the presence, location, and / or velocity of objects external to the device 10, to perform automotive sensing (e.g., with enhanced safety), to perform health / physical monitoring of a user of the device 10 or another person, to perform gas or chemical detection, to form a high data rate wireless connection between the device 10 and another device or peripheral (e.g., to form a high data rate between a display driver on the device 10 and a display that displays ultra-high resolution video), to form a remote radio head (e.g., a flexible high data rate connection), to form a THF chip-to-chip connection within the device 10 that supports high data rates (e.g., with one antenna 30 on a first chip in the device 10 transmitting THF signals 32 to another antenna 30 on a second chip in the device 10), and / or to perform any other desired high data rate operation.

[0038] Within an electronic device, such as device 10, space is very valuable. In some cases, the antenna 30 used to transmit THF signals 32 is different than the antenna used to receive THF signals 34. However, using different antennas 30 to handle the transmission of THF signals 32 and the reception of THF signals 34 can consume excessive space and other resources within device 10, as two antennas 30 and signal paths 28 would be needed to handle both transmission and reception. To minimize space and resource consumption within device 10, the same antenna 30 and signal path 28 can be used to transmit THF signals 32 and to receive THF signals 34. If desired, multiple antennas 30 in radio 24 can transmit THF signals 32 and can receive THF signals 34. The antennas can be integrated into a phased antenna array that transmits THF signals 32 and receives THF signals 34 within corresponding signal beams that are oriented in selected beam pointing directions.

[0039] It can be challenging to incorporate components into radio 24 that support wireless communications at these high frequencies. If desired, transceiver circuitry 26 and signal paths 28 can include optical components that convey optical signals in order to support the transmission of THF signals 32 and the reception of THF signals 34 in a space and resource efficient manner. Optical signals can be used to transmit THF signals 32 at THF frequencies and to receive THF signals 34 at THF frequencies.

[0040] Figure 2 is a diagram of an exemplary antenna 30 that can be used to transmit THF signals 32 and to receive THF signals 34 using optical signals. Antenna 30 can include one or more antenna radiating (resonating) elements, such as radiating (resonating) element arms 36. In the example of Figure 2 Antenna 30 is a planar dipole antenna (sometimes referred to as a “butterfly” antenna) having two opposing radiating element arms 36 (e.g., butterfly arms or dipole arms) in the example of

[0041] As Figure 2As shown, antenna 30 includes photodiodes (PDs) 42 coupled between radiating element arms 36. Electronic devices (such as device 10) including antenna 30 with photodiodes 42 may sometimes also be referred to as electro-optical devices (e.g., electro-optical device 10). Photodiode 42 may be a programmable photodiode. For example, an example of a programmable single-line carrier photodiode (UTC PD) is described herein. Therefore, photodiode 42 may sometimes be referred to herein as UTCPD 42 or programmable UTC PD 42. This is merely illustrative, and in general, photodiode 42 may include any desired type of adjustable / programmable photodiode or component that converts electromagnetic energy at optical frequencies into current at THF frequencies on the radiating element arms 36 and / or vice versa. Each radiating element arm 36 may, for example, have a first edge located at the UTC PD 42 and a second edge wider than the first edge opposite the first edge (e.g., in a specific embodiment where antenna 30 is a butterfly antenna). Other radiating elements may be used if desired.

[0042] The UTC PD 42 may have a bias terminal 38 that receives one or more bias voltages V. 偏置 (sometimes referred to in this article as the bias signal V) 偏置 Control circuit 14 ( Figure 1 ) can provide (e.g., apply, supply, assert, etc.) bias voltages V with different magnitudes. 偏置 This allows for dynamic control (e.g., programming or adjustment) of the operation of the UTC PD 42 over time. For example, the bias voltage V... 偏置 This can be used to control whether antenna 30 transmits THF signal 32 or receives THF signal 34. When the bias voltage V... 偏置 With a first setting (e.g., a first magnitude or value), antenna 30 can be configured to transmit THF signal 32. When the bias voltage V... 偏置 With a second setting (e.g., a second magnitude or value), antenna 30 can be configured to receive THF signal 34. Figure 2 In the example, the bias voltage V 偏置 It has a first setting to configure antenna 30 to transmit THF signal 32. If necessary, the bias voltage V... 偏置 It can also be adjusted to control the waveform of the THF signal (e.g., as a square function, linear function, etc. that preserves the modulation of the incident optical signal) and / or to perform gain control on the signal transmitted by the antenna 30.

[0043] like Figure 2 As shown, the UTC PD 42 can be optically coupled to optical path 40. Optical path 40 may include one or more optical fibers or waveguides. The UTC PD 42 can be connected to transceiver circuit 26 via optical path 40.Figure 1 ) receiving optical signals. The optical signals can include a first optical local oscillator (LO) signal LO1 and a second optical local oscillator signal LO2. The optical local oscillator signals LO1 and LO2 can be generated by a light source in transceiver circuitry 26 Figure 1 ) The optical local oscillator signals LO1 and LO2 can be at optical wavelengths (e.g., between 400 nm and 700 nm), ultraviolet wavelengths (e.g., near ultraviolet wavelengths or extreme ultraviolet wavelengths), and / or infrared wavelengths (e.g., near infrared wavelengths, mid infrared wavelengths, or far infrared wavelengths). The optical local oscillator signal LO2 can be offset in wavelength from the optical local oscillator signal LO1 by a wavelength offset X. The wavelength offset X can be equal to a wavelength (e.g., between 100 GHz and 1 THz (1000 GHz), between 100 GHz and 2 THz, between 300 GHz and 800 GHz, between 300 GHz and 1 THz, between 300 GHz and 400 GHz, etc.) of the THF signal transmitted by the antenna 30.

[0044] During signal transmission, wireless data (e.g., wireless data packets, symbols, frames, etc.) can be modulated onto the optical local oscillator signal LO2 to produce a modulated optical local oscillator signal LO2’. If desired, the optical local oscillator signal LO1 can be provided with an optical phase shift S. The optical path 40 can illuminate the UTC PD 42 with the optical local oscillator signal LO1 (plus the optical phase shift S when applied) and the modulated optical local oscillator signal LO2’. If desired, a lens or other optical component can be interposed between the optical path 40 and the UTC PD 42 to help focus the optical local oscillator signals onto the UTC PD 42.

[0045] The UTC PD 42 can convert the optical local oscillator signal LO1 and the modulated local oscillator signal LO2’ (e.g., the beat between the two optical local oscillator signals) into an antenna current that flows along the perimeter of the radiating element arm 36. The frequency of the antenna current is equal to the frequency difference between the local oscillator signal LO1 and the modulated local oscillator signal LO2’. The antenna current can radiate (emit) the THF signal 32 into free space. The bias voltage V 偏置 The UTC PD 42 can be controlled to convert the optical local oscillator signals into an antenna current on the radiating element arm 36 while preserving the modulation, and thus the wireless data, on the modulated local oscillator signal LO2’ (e.g., by applying a squaring function to the signal). The THF signal 32 will thereby carry the modulated wireless data for reception and demodulation by external wireless communication equipment.

[0046] Figure 3 To illustrate (e.g., in the event that the bias voltage V 偏置The settings from Figure 2 The diagram shows how antenna 30 can receive THF signal 34 after the transmit state is changed to receive state. Figure 3 As shown, a THF signal 34 can be incident on the antenna radiating element arm 36. The incident THF signal 34 can generate an antenna current flowing around the periphery of the radiating element arm 36. The UTC PD 42 can use an optical local oscillator signal LO1 (plus an optical phase shift S for the application), an optical local oscillator signal LO2 (e.g., without modulation), and a bias voltage V. 偏置 The received THF signal 34 is converted into an intermediate frequency signal SIGIF, which is output to the intermediate frequency signal path 44.

[0047] The frequency of the intermediate frequency signal SIGIF can be equal to the frequency of the THF signal 34 minus the difference between the frequencies of the optical local oscillator signal LO1 and the optical local oscillator signal LO2. For example, the intermediate frequency signal SIGIF can be at a lower frequency than the THF signals 32 and 34, such as centimeter or millimeter wave frequencies between 10 GHz and 100 GHz, between 30 GHz and 80 GHz, or approximately 60 GHz. If needed, when switching from transmit to receive or vice versa, the transceiver circuit 26 ( Figure 1 The frequency of the optical local oscillator signal LO1 and / or optical local oscillator signal LO2 can be changed. The UTC PD 42 can modulate and store the data of the THF signal 34 in the intermediate signal SIGIF. Transceiver circuit 26 ( Figure 1 The receiver in the circuit can demodulate the intermediate frequency signal SIGIF (e.g., after further downconversion) to recover radio data from the THF signal 34. Alternatively, the wireless circuit 24 can convert the intermediate frequency signal SIGIF to the optical domain before recovering the radio data. Alternatively, the intermediate frequency signal path 44 can be omitted, and UTCPD 42 can convert the THF signal 34 to the optical domain for subsequent demodulation and data recovery (e.g., in the sidebands of the optical signal).

[0048] Figure 2 and Figure 3 Antenna 30 can support the transmission of THF signal 32 and the reception of THF signal 34 using a given polarization (e.g., linear polarization such as vertical polarization). If needed, wireless circuit 24 ( Figure 1 It may include multiple antennas 30 for covering different polarizations. Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating an example of how wireless circuit 24 can include multiple antennas 30 for covering different polarizations.

[0049] like Figure 4As shown, the wireless circuitry can include a first antenna 30, such as an antenna 30V for covering a first polarization (e.g., a first linear polarization such as a vertical polarization), and can include a second antenna 30, such as an antenna 30H for covering a second polarization different from or orthogonal to the first polarization (e.g., a second linear polarization such as a horizontal polarization). The antenna 30V can have a UTC PD 42, such as a UTC PD 42V coupled between a corresponding pair of radiating element arms 36. The antenna 30H can have a UTC PD 42, such as a UTC PD 42H coupled between a corresponding pair of radiating element arms 36 oriented non-parallel (e.g., orthogonal) to the radiating element arms 36 in the antenna 30V. This can allow the antennas 30V and 30H to transmit THF signals 32 at respective (orthogonal) polarizations, and can allow the antennas 30V and 30H to receive THF signals 32 at respective (orthogonal) polarizations.

[0050] To minimize space within the device 10, the antenna 30V can be vertically stacked above or below the antenna 30H (e.g., with the UTC PD 42V partially or completely overlapping the UTC PD 42H). In this example, both the antennas 30V and 30H can be formed on the same substrate, such as a rigid or flexible printed circuit board. The substrate can include a plurality of stacked dielectric layers (e.g., layers of ceramic, epoxy, flexible printed circuit board material, rigid printed circuit board material, etc.). The radiating element arms 36 in the antenna 30V can be formed on separate substrate layers from the radiating element arms 36 in the antenna 30H, or the radiating element arms 36 in the antenna 30V can be formed on the same substrate layers as the radiating element arms 36 in the antenna 30H. The UTC PD 42V can be formed on the same substrate layers as the UTC PD 42H, or the UTC PD 42V can be formed on separate substrate layers from the UTC PD 42H. The UTC PD 42V can be formed on the same substrate layers as the radiating element arms 36 in the antenna 30V, or can be formed on separate substrate layers from the radiating element arms 36 in the antenna 30V. The UTC PD 42H can be formed on the same substrate layers as the radiating element arms 36 in the antenna 30H, or can be formed on separate substrate layers from the radiating element arms 36 in the antenna 30H.

[0051] If desired, the antennas 30 or Figure 4 the antennas 30H and 30V of the device 10 can be integrated within a phased antenna array. Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating one example of how the antennas 30H and 30V can be integrated within a phased antenna array. As shown, the antennas 30H and 30V can be integrated within a phased antenna array 40. The phased antenna array 40 can include a plurality of antennas 30, such as antennas 30H and 30V, and can include a plurality of phase shifters 44, such as phase shifters 44H and 44V. The antennas 30H and 30V can be configured to transmit and receive THF signals 32 at respective (orthogonal) polarizations. The phase shifters 44H and 44V can be configured to shift the phase of the THF signals 32 transmitted and received by the antennas 30H and 30V, respectively. The phase shifters 44H and 44V can be configured to shift the phase of the THF signals 32 transmitted and received by the antennas 30H and 30V, respectively, to steer the THF signals 32 transmitted and received by the antennas 30H and 30V in a desired direction. Figure 5As shown, the device 10 can include a phased antenna array 46 of stacked antennas 30H and 30V arranged in a rectangular grid of rows and columns. Each of these antennas in the phased antenna array 46 can be formed on the same substrate. This is merely illustrative. In general, the phased antenna array 46 (sometimes referred to as a phased array antenna) can include any desired number of antennas 30V and 30H (or non-stacked antennas 30) arranged in any desired pattern. Each of these antennas in the phased antenna array 46 can be provided with a respective optical phase shift S( Figure 2 and Figure 3 ), which configures the antennas to collectively emit THF signals 32 and / or receive THF signals 34 that add up to form a signal beam of THF signals in a desired beam pointing direction. The beam pointing direction can be selected to point the signal beam toward external communication equipment, toward a desired external object, away from an external object, etc.

[0052] The phased antenna array 46 can occupy a relatively small space within the device 10. For example, each antenna 30V / 30H can have a length 48 (e.g., as measured from an end of one radiating element arm to an opposite end of an opposite radiating element arm). The length 48 can be approximately equal to half of a wavelength of the THF signals 32 and 34. For example, the length 48 can be as small as 0.5 mm or less. Each UTC-PD 42 in the phased antenna array 46 can occupy a lateral area of 100 square microns or less. This can allow the phased antenna array 46 to occupy a very small area within the device 10, allowing the phased antenna array to be integrated within different portions of the device 10 while still allowing other space for device components. Figure 2 to Figure 5 The examples of FIGS. 6A-6D are merely illustrative, and in general each antenna can have any desired antenna radiating element architecture.

[0053] Figure 6 To illustrate how a given antenna 30 and signal path 28( Figure 1 ) can be used to emit THF signals 32 and receive THF signals 34 based on an optical local oscillator signal, a circuit diagram is shown in FIG. 7. In the example of FIG. 7, the UTC PD 42 converts a received THF signal 34 to intermediate frequency signals SIGIF, which are then converted to the optical domain for recovering wireless data from the received THF signal. Figure 6

[0054] As shown in FIG. 8, the UTC PD 42 converts a received THF signal 34 to intermediate frequency signals SIGIF, which are then converted to the optical domain for recovering wireless data from the received THF signal. Figure 6 ​As shown, the wireless circuit 24 can include a transceiver circuit 26 coupled to an antenna 30 through a signal path 28 (e.g., an optical signal path, sometimes referred to herein as optical signal path 28). A UTC PD 42 can be coupled between a radiating element arm 36 of the antenna 30 and the signal path 28. The transceiver circuit 26 can include an optical component 68, an amplifier circuit such as a power amplifier 76, and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) 74. The optical component 68 can include an optical receiver such as an optical receiver 72 and an optical local oscillator (LO) light source (emitter) 70. The LO light source 70 can include two or more light sources such as laser light sources, laser diodes, optical phase-locked loops, or other optical emitters that emit light at respective wavelengths (e.g., optical local oscillator signals LOl and LO2). If desired, the LO light source 70 can include a single light source and can include optical components for splitting light emitted by the light source into different wavelengths. The signal path 28 can be coupled to the optical component 68 through an optical path 66. The optical path 66 can include one or more optical fibers and / or waveguides.

[0055] The signal path 28 can include an optical splitter such as an optical splitter (OS) 54, optical paths such as optical paths 64 and 62, an optical combiner such as an optical combiner (OC) 52, and an optical path 40. The optical path 62 can be an optical fiber or a waveguide. The optical path 64 can be an optical fiber or a waveguide. The optical splitter 54 can have a first (e.g., input) port coupled to the optical path 66, a second (e.g., output) port coupled to the optical path 62, and a third (e.g., output) port coupled to the optical path 64. The optical path 64 can couple the optical splitter 54 to a first (e.g., input) port of the optical combiner 52. The optical path 62 can couple the optical splitter 54 to a second (e.g., input) port of the optical combiner 52. The optical combiner 52 can have a third (e.g., output) port coupled to the optical path 40.

[0056] An optical phase shifter, such as optical phase shifter 80, can be (optically) interposed on or along optical path 64. An optical modulator, such as optical modulator 56, can be (optically) interposed on or along optical path 62. Optical modulator 56 can be, for example, a Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM), and thus can sometimes be referred to as MZM 56. MZM 56 includes first and second optical arms (branches) 60 and 58 interposed in parallel along optical path 62. Propagation of optical local oscillator signal LO2 along arms 60 and 58 of MZM 56 can allow different optical phase shifts to be imparted to each arm before the signals are recombined at the output of the MZM (e.g., where optical phase modulation produced on the arms is converted to intensity modulation at the output of MZM 56) in the presence of a voltage signal applied to one or both arms. When the voltage applied to MZM 56 includes wireless data, MZM 56 can modulate the wireless data onto optical local oscillator signal LO2. If desired, in addition to or instead of optical phase shifter 80, the phase shift performed at MZM 56 can be used to perform beamforming / directivity. MZM 56 can receive one or more bias voltages W 偏置 (herein sometimes referred to as bias signals W 偏置 ). Control circuitry 14 Figure 1 may provide bias voltages W 偏置 with different magnitudes to place MZM 56 in different operating modes (e.g., an operating mode that suppresses the optical carrier signal, an operating mode that does not suppress the optical carrier signal, etc.).

[0057] Intermediate frequency signal path 44 can couple UTC PD 42 to MZM 56 (e.g., arm 60). An amplifier, such as low noise amplifier 82, can be interposed on intermediate frequency signal path 44. Intermediate frequency signal path 44 can be used to pass intermediate frequency signal SIGIF from UTC PD 42 to MZM 56. DAC 74 can have an input coupled to upconversion circuitry, modulator circuitry, and / or baseband circuitry in a transmitter of transceiver circuitry 26. DAC 74 can receive digital data for transmission by antenna 30, and can convert the digital data to the analog domain (e.g., as data DAT). DAC 74 can have an output coupled to transmit data path 78. Transmit data path 78 can couple DAC 74 to MZM 56 (e.g., arm 60). Each of the components along signal path 28 can allow the same antenna 30 to transmit THF signal 32 and receive THF signal 34 (e.g., using the same components along signal path 28), thereby minimizing space and resource consumption within device 10.

[0058] LO light source 70 can generate (emit) optical local oscillator signals LOl and LO2 (e.g., at different wavelengths separated by the wavelength of the THF signals 32 / 34). Optical components 68 can include lenses, waveguides, optical couplers, optical fibers, and / or other optical components that direct the emitted optical local oscillator signals LOl and LO2 via optical path 66 toward optical splitter 54. Optical splitter 54 can split optical signals on optical path 66 (e.g., by wavelength) to output optical local oscillator signal LOl onto optical path 64 while outputting optical local oscillator signal LO2 onto optical path 62.

[0059] Control circuit 14( Figure 1 ) can provide a phase control signal CTRL to optical phase shifter 80. Phase control signal CTRL can control optical phase shifter 80 to apply an optical phase shift S to optical local oscillator signal LOl on optical path 64. Phase shift S can be selected to steer the signal beam of THF signal 32 / 34 in a desired direction of pointing. Optical phase shifter 80 can pass the phase-shifted optical local oscillator signal LOl (denoted as LOl+S) to optical combiner 52. Signal beam steering is performed in the optical domain (e.g., using optical phase shifter 80) rather than in the THF domain because there are no satisfactory phase shift circuit components that operate at frequencies as high as the frequencies of THF signals 32 and 34. Optical combiner 52 can receive optical local oscillator signal LO2 through optical path 62. Optical combiner 52 can combine optical local oscillator signals LOl and LO2 onto optical path 40, which directs these optical local oscillator signals to UTC PD 42 for use during signal transmission or reception.

[0060] During transmission of THF signal 32, DAC 74 can receive digital wireless data (e.g., data packets, frames, symbols, etc.) for transmission through THF signal 32. DAC 74 can convert the digital wireless data to the analog domain and can output (transmit) the data as data DAT onto transmit data path 78 (e.g., for transmission via antenna 30). Power amplifier 76 can amplify data DAT. Transmit data path 78 can pass data DAT to MZM 56 (e.g., arm 60). MZM 56 can modulate data DAT onto optical local oscillator signal LO2 to produce a modulated optical local oscillator signal LO2’ (e.g., an optical local oscillator signal at the frequency / wavelength of optical local oscillator signal LO2 but modulated to include data identified by data DAT). Optical combiner 52 can combine optical local oscillator signal LOl with modulated optical local oscillator signal LO2’ at optical path 40.

[0061] Optical path 40 can illuminate UTC PD 42 with (using) optical local oscillator signal LOl (e.g., and phase shift S applied by optical phase shifter 80) and modulated optical local oscillator signal LO2'. Control circuit 14( Figure 1 ) can apply bias voltage V 偏置 to UTC PD 42, which configures antenna 30 for transmitting THF signal 32. UTC PD 42 can convert optical local oscillator signal LOl and modulated optical local oscillator signal LO2' into antenna current on radiating element arm 36 at the frequency of THF signal 32 (e.g., when programmed for transmission using bias voltage V 偏置 . Antenna current on radiating element arm 36 can radiate THF signal 32. The frequency of THF signal 32 is given by the frequency difference between optical local oscillator signal LOl and modulated optical local oscillator signal LO2'. Bias voltage V 偏置 may control UTC PD 42 to preserve the modulation from modulated optical local oscillator signal LO2' in radiated THF signal 32. External equipment receiving THF signal 32 will thereby be able to extract data DAT from THF signal 32 transmitted by antenna 30.

[0062] During reception of THF signal 34, MZM 56 does not modulate any data onto optical local oscillator signal LO2. Optical path 40 thus illuminates UTC PD 42 with optical local oscillator signal LOl (e.g., and phase shift S) and optical local oscillator signal LO2. Control circuit 14( Figure 1 ) can apply bias voltage V 偏置 to UTC PD 42, which configures antenna 30 for receiving THF signal 32. UTC PD 42 can use optical local oscillator signals LOl and LO2 to convert received THF signal 34 into intermediate frequency signal SIGIF output to intermediate frequency signal path 44 (e.g., when programmed for reception using bias voltage V 偏置 . Intermediate frequency signal SIGIF can include modulated data from received THF signal 34. Low noise amplifier 82 can amplify intermediate frequency signal SIGIF, which are then provided to MZM 56 (e.g., arm 60). MZM 56 can convert intermediate frequency signal SIGIF to the optical domain as optical signal LOrx (e.g., by modulating data in intermediate frequency signal SIGIF onto one of the optical local oscillator signals), and can pass corresponding optical signal to optical receiver 72 in optical component 68, as shown by arrow 63 (e.g., via optical paths 62 and 66 or other optical paths). Control circuit 14( Figure 1The optical receiver 72 can be used to convert the optical signal LORx into other formats and recover (demodulate) the data carried by the THF signal 34 from the optical signal. In this way, the same antenna 30 and signal path 28 can be used to transmit and receive THF signals, while also performing beamguiding operations.

[0063] Figure 6 The example of the intermediate frequency (IF) signal SIGIF being converted to the optical domain is merely illustrative. If needed, transceiver 26 can receive and demodulate the IF signal SIGIF without first transmitting these signals to the optical domain. Figure 7 This is a circuit diagram showing how transceiver 26 can receive and demodulate intermediate frequency (IF) signals SIGIF without first transmitting these signals to the optical domain. The transmission of THF signal 32 is... Figure 7 In the specific implementation and in Figure 6 The specific implementation is the same.

[0064] like Figure 7 As shown, transceiver circuit 26 may include analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 84. Intermediate frequency signal path 44 may be coupled to the input of ADC 84 (instead of...). Figure 6 (As in the example to MZM 56). The output of ADC 84 can be coupled to the down-conversion circuitry, demodulator circuitry, and / or baseband circuitry in the receiver of transceiver circuitry 26. During signal reception, UTC PD 42 can transmit the intermediate frequency signal SIGIF generated from THF signal 34 to ADC 84 via intermediate frequency signal path 44. ADC 84 can convert the intermediate frequency signal SIGIF to the digital domain. Control circuitry 14 ( Figure 1 It can process digital signals to recover (demodulate) the data carried by the THF signal 34. For example, this allows for processing data without... Figure 6 In the case of an optical receiver 72, an optical component 68 is formed. The intermediate frequency signal path 44 may also be referred to herein as receiver path 44, receiving path 44 or receiver signal path 44, and may include an RF transmission line structure (e.g., microstrip, stripline, coaxial cable, waveguide, coplanar waveguide, grounded coplanar waveguide, etc.) that transmits RF signals at millimeter / centimeter wave frequencies.

[0065] For example, wireless circuit 24 can directly sample the received THF signal 34 into the optical domain (e.g., without generating...). Figure 6 and Figure 7 The intermediate frequency signal SIGIF). Figure 8 This is a circuit diagram showing how wireless circuit 24 can directly sample the received THF signal 34 into the optical domain. The transmission of THF signal 32 is... Figure 8 In the specific implementation and in Figure 6 and Figure 7 The specific implementation is the same.

[0066] As Figure 8 shown, the intermediate frequency signal path 44 of Figure 6 and Figure 7 may be omitted. The bias voltage V 偏置 The UTC PD 42 can be controlled to sample the THF signal 34 directly into the optical domain along with the optical local oscillator signals LOl and LO2. For example, the UTC PD 42 can use the received THF signal 34 and the bias voltage V 偏置 An optical signal can be generated on the optical path 40. The optical signal can have an optical carrier with sidebands that are separated from the optical carrier by a fixed frequency offset (e.g., 30 GHz - 100 GHz, 60 GHz, 50 GHz - 70 GHz, 10 GHz - 100 GHz, etc.). The sidebands can be used to carry modulated data from the received THF signal 34. The signal path 28 can direct (propagate) the optical signal generated by the UTC PD 42 to an optical receiver 72 in the optical component 68 (e.g., via the optical paths 40, 64, 62, 66, and / or other optical paths). The control circuit 14( Figure 1 ) can use the optical receiver 72 to convert the optical signal into other formats and recover (demodulate) the data carried by the THF signal 34 from the optical signal (e.g., from the sidebands of the optical signal).

[0067] Figure 9 To show one example of how multiple antennas 30 can be integrated into a phased antenna array 46 that receives the THF signal 34 through a corresponding signal beam. In Figure 9 the example, the phased antenna array 46 includes four antennas 30, such as antenna 30-1, antenna 30-2, antenna 30-3, and antenna 30-4. This is merely illustrative, and in general the phased antenna array 46 can include any desired number of antennas. Each antenna is coupled to the optical component 68 via a respective signal path 28 (e.g., antenna 30-1 is coupled to the optical component 68 via signal path 28-1, antenna 30-2 is coupled to the optical component 68 via signal path 28-2, antenna 30-3 is coupled to the optical component 68 via signal path 28-3, etc.).

[0068] Figure 9 Only components and operations of the phased antenna array 46 that are relevant to receiving the THF signal 34 are shown. In general, the phased antenna array 46 also includes data paths 78 and DACs 74( Figure 6 to Figure 8 ) for data used by each antenna 30 in transmitting the THF signal 32, but these elements are omitted from Figure 9 for clarity. Furthermore, Figure 9An example is shown in which the UTC PD 42 for each antenna 30 converts the received THF signal 32 to an intermediate frequency and then to the optical domain (e.g., as shown in FIG. 4). This is merely illustrative, and the UTC PD 42 for each antenna 30 can convert the received THF signal 32 to an intermediate frequency without converting to the optical domain (e.g., as shown in FIG. 5) or to the optical domain without converting to the intermediate frequency (e.g., as shown in FIG. 6), if desired. Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8

[0069] As shown in FIG. 3, each signal path 28 receives an optical local oscillator signal LO1 and LO2 from an optical component 68. Each signal path 28 includes a respective optical phase shifter 80 (e.g., signal path 28-1 can include optical phase shifter 80-1, signal path 28-2 can include optical phase shifter 80-2, signal path 28-3 can include optical phase shifter 80-3, etc.) interposed on a corresponding optical path 64 between a corresponding optical combiner 52 and a corresponding optical splitter 54. Each optical phase shifter 80 can receive a control signal CTRL that controls a phase S provided by the optical phase shifter to the optical local oscillator signal LO1. By adjusting the phase S imparted by each optical phase shifter 80, the control circuit 14 (FIG. 1) can control each antenna 30 in the phased antenna array 46 to receive a THF signal 34 within a formed signal beam 90. The signal beam 90 can be oriented in a particular beam pointing direction (angle) 92 (e.g., a direction of peak gain of the signal beam 90). The incident THF signal 34 can have a wavefront 88 that is orthogonal to the beam pointing direction 92. For example, the control circuit 14 can adjust the beam pointing direction 92 over time to point toward or away from an external communication device or an external object. In this way, beam steering operations can be integrated into the signal path 28, each of which is used to transmit and receive a THF signal that supports extremely high data rates. Figure 9 Figure 1

[0070] Figure 10 is a flowchart of operations that can be performed by the wireless circuit 24 using one or more antennas 30 to transmit and receive THF signals. At operation 94, the LO light source 70 can begin generating the optical local oscillator signals LO1 and LO2. The signal paths 28 can pass the optical local oscillator signals to the UTC PD 42.

[0071] When the control circuit 14 has wireless data for transmission to an external communication device (e.g., at a high data rate supported by the THF signal), the process can proceed to operation 96. At operation 96, the DAC 74 can generate wireless data DAT for transmission.

[0072] ​​​​​At optional operation 98, control circuit 14 can control optical phase shifter 80 to apply a phase shift S to optical local oscillator signal LOI. Phase shift S can be selected such that multiple antennas 30 produce signal beams 90 that are directed in corresponding beam pointing directions 92 Figure 9 Operation 98 can be omitted if desired (e.g., in examples where only a single antenna 30 is transmitting signals or beam steering is not performed).

[0073] At operation 100, control circuit 14 can apply a first bias voltage V 偏置 to UTC PD 42. This configures the UTC PD to transmit a THF signal while preserving the modulation from the modulated local oscillator.

[0074] At operation 102, MZM 56 can modulate optical local oscillator signal LOC2 using wireless data DAT to generate (produce) modulated optical local oscillator signal LOC2’. Optical path 40 can illuminate UTC PD 42 using optical local oscillator signal LOC1 (e.g., as the phase shift at operation 98) and modulated optical local oscillator signal LOC2’.

[0075] At operation 104, UTC PD 42 can convert modulated optical local oscillator signal LOC2’ and optical local oscillator signal LOC1 into THF signal 32 that is radiated into free space by radiating element arm 36. For example, UTC PD 42 can use first bias voltage V 偏置 to convert a difference between modulated optical local oscillator signal LOC2’ and optical local oscillator signal LOC1 into an antenna current on radiating element arm 36 that is radiated into free space as THF signal 32. The antenna current, and thus THF signal 32, can be at a frequency given by a frequency difference between modulated optical local oscillator signal LOC2’ and optical local oscillator signal LOC1. UTC-PD 42 can preserve the modulation of modulated optical local oscillator signal LOC2 in radiated THF signal 32, allowing wireless data DAT to be received and recovered at an external communication device.

[0076] When UHF signal 34 carrying wireless data is incident on antenna 30, processing can proceed to operation 106. At operation 106, control circuit 14 can apply a second bias voltage V 偏置 to UTC PD 42. This configures the UTC PD to receive a THF signal while preserving the modulation from the THF signal.

[0077] At operation 108, the THF signal can generate an antenna current on the radiating element arm 36. The UTC PD 42 can convert the antenna current to an intermediate frequency signal SIGIF (e.g., in 偏置 Figure 6 and Figure 7 ) or directly sample the antenna current into the optical domain (e.g., in Figure 8 ). The phase S of the first optical local oscillator signal LOI can configure the antennas 30 in the phased antenna array 46 to receive the THF signal 34 within a signal beam 90 that is directed in the selected pointing direction 92.

[0078] At operation 110, a receiver in the transceiver circuit 26 can process the intermediate frequency signal SIGIF or the optical domain signal to demodulate and recover the wireless data in the received THF signal 34. If desired, the control circuit 14 can pass the recovered wireless data up to a protocol stack for further processing. When the control circuit 14 has wireless data for transmission to an external communication device, processing can return to operation 96, as indicated by path 112. In this way, each antenna 30 in the radio circuit 24 can transmit a THF signal 32 and can receive a THF signal 34 in a time division duplex arrangement, thereby minimizing resource and space consumption within the device 10 relative to the case where separate antennas and signal paths are used for signal transmission and reception, while also allowing precise beamforming and steering techniques to be implemented, even though the THF signals have high frequencies.

[0079] Figure 10 The examples of operations 96, 98, 100, 102, and / or 104 can be performed simultaneously. The examples of operations 106, 108, and / or 110 can be performed simultaneously. If desired, the examples of operations 106-110 can be performed prior to operations 96 and 100-102. Operation 98 can be performed whenever a signal beam is to be formed (steered) in a different beam pointing direction.

[0080] The device 10 can collect and / or use personal identifiable information. It is well understood that the use of personal identifiable information should follow privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized and accepted as industry best practices and / or that follow government requirements for maintaining the privacy of users. In particular, personally identifiable information data should be managed and processed fairly and used in a manner that duly minimizes the potential risk of unauthorized or inappropriate collection or use. If desired, the optical components described herein (e.g., MZM modulators, waveguides, phase shifters, UTC PDs, etc.) can be implemented in plasmonic technology.

[0081] The methods and operations described above in connection with Figure 1 to Figure 10 (e.g., Figure 10 ​The operations described herein can be implemented (e.g., as a piece of software code, firmware, and / or hardware (e.g., special-purpose circuitry or hardware)) that can be executed by components of device 10 using software, firmware, and / or hardware. Software code for performing these operations can be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (e.g., a tangible computer-readable storage medium) stored on one or more of the components of device 10 (e.g., memory 14, storage circuitry 16, processing circuitry 18, etc.). This software code can sometimes be referred to as software, data, instructions, program instructions, or code. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium can include a drive, a non-volatile memory such as a non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), a removable flash drive or other removable medium, other types of random access memory, etc. The software stored on the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium can be executed by processing circuitry (e.g., processing circuitry 18, etc.) on one or more of the components of device 10. The processing circuitry can include a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), a special-purpose integrated circuit, or other processing circuitry. Figure 1 The operations described herein can be implemented (e.g., as a piece of software code, firmware, and / or hardware (e.g., special-purpose circuitry or hardware)) that can be executed by components of device 10 using software, firmware, and / or hardware. Software code for performing these operations can be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (e.g., a tangible computer-readable storage medium) stored on one or more of the components of device 10 (e.g., memory 14, storage circuitry 16, processing circuitry 18, etc.). This software code can sometimes be referred to as software, data, instructions, program instructions, or code. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium can include a drive, a non-volatile memory such as a non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), a removable flash drive or other removable medium, other types of random access memory, etc. The software stored on the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium can be executed by processing circuitry (e.g., processing circuitry 18, etc.) on one or more of the components of device 10. The processing circuitry can include a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), a special-purpose integrated circuit, or other processing circuitry. Figure 1 The operations described herein can be implemented (e.g., as a piece of software code, firmware, and / or hardware (e.g., special-purpose circuitry or hardware)) that can be executed by components of device 10 using software, firmware, and / or hardware. Software code for performing these operations can be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (e.g., a tangible computer-readable storage medium) stored on one or more of the components of device 10 (e.g., memory 14, storage circuitry 16, processing circuitry 18, etc.). This software code can sometimes be referred to as software, data, instructions, program instructions, or code. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium can include a drive, a non-volatile memory such as a non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), a removable flash drive or other removable medium, other types of random access memory, etc. The software stored on the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium can be executed by processing circuitry (e.g., processing circuitry 18, etc.) on one or more of the components of device 10. The processing circuitry can include a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), a special-purpose integrated circuit, or other processing circuitry.

[0082] According to one embodiment, there is provided an electronic device comprising: a photodiode; an optical signal path configured to illuminate the photodiode with a first optical local oscillator (LO) signal and a second optical LO signal having a wavelength offset relative to the first optical LO signal; an optical modulator disposed along the optical signal path and configured to modulate wireless data onto the second optical LO signal; an antenna radiating element coupled to the photodiode, the photodiode configured to generate a current on the antenna radiating element having a frequency greater than or equal to 100 GHz based on the first optical LO signal, the second optical LO signal, and a bias voltage applied to the photodiode, the current on the antenna radiating element configured to radiate a wireless signal comprising the wireless data; and a receive path coupling the photodiode to the optical modulator.

[0083] According to another embodiment, the antenna radiating element is configured to receive an additional wireless signal having a frequency greater than or equal to 100 GHz, and the photodiode is configured to generate a radio frequency signal on the receive path having a frequency less than 100 GHz based on the additional wireless signal, the first optical LO signal, the second optical LO signal, and the bias voltage applied to the photodiode.

[0084] According to another embodiment, the electronic device comprises control circuitry configured to supply the photodiode with a bias voltage having a first magnitude when the photodiode generates the current on the antenna radiating element, and configured to supply the photodiode with a bias voltage having a second magnitude different from the first magnitude when the photodiode generates the radio frequency signal.

[0085] According to another embodiment, the receive path is configured to pass the radio frequency signal to the optical modulator, and the optical modulator is configured to convert additional wireless data in the radio frequency signal to the optical domain.

[0086] According to another embodiment, the optical signal path includes a splitter, an optical combiner, a first optical fiber coupled between the splitter and the optical combiner, and a second optical fiber coupled between the splitter and the optical combiner in parallel with the first optical fiber, the optical modulator being interposed along the second optical fiber.

[0087] According to another embodiment, the electronic device includes a phased antenna array including antenna radiating elements, the phased antenna array being configured to form a signal beam at the frequency.

[0088] According to another embodiment, the electronic device includes an optical phase shifter interposed along the first optical fiber and configured to apply an optical phase shift to the first optical LO signal, and control circuitry configured to adjust a direction of the signal beam by adjusting the optical phase shift applied by the optical phase shifter.

[0089] According to another embodiment, the electronic device includes control circuitry, the optical modulator is configured to apply an optical phase shift to the second optical LO signal, and the control circuitry is configured to adjust a direction of the signal beam by adjusting the optical phase shift applied to the second optical LO signal by the optical modulator.

[0090] According to another embodiment, the electronic device includes a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that outputs the wireless data, and a transmit path that couples the DAC to the optical modulator and that conveys the wireless data from the DAC to the optical modulator.

[0091] According to another embodiment, the photodiode includes a single row carrier photodiode (UTC PD).

[0092] According to another embodiment, the optical modulator includes a Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM).

[0093] According to one embodiment, an electronic device is provided, the electronic device comprising: a photodiode; an optical signal path configured to illuminate the photodiode using a first optical local oscillator (LO) signal and a second optical LO signal having a wavelength offset relative to the first optical LO signal; an optical modulator disposed along the optical signal path; a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) configured to output wireless data; a transmit path coupling the DAC to the optical modulator and configured to convey the wireless data from the DAC to the optical modulator, the optical modulator configured to modulate the wireless data onto the second optical LO signal; an antenna radiating element coupled to the photodiode, the photodiode configured to generate a current on the antenna radiating element having a frequency greater than or equal to 100 GHz based on the first optical LO signal, the second optical LO signal, and a bias voltage applied to the photodiode, the current on the antenna radiating element configured to emit a wireless signal comprising the wireless data; an analog-to-digital converter (ADC); and a receive path coupling the photodiode to the ADC.

[0094] According to another embodiment, the antenna radiating element is configured to receive an additional wireless signal having a frequency greater than or equal to 100 GHz, and the photodiode is configured to produce a radio frequency signal on the receive path having a frequency less than 100 GHz based on the additional wireless signal, the first optical LO signal, the second optical LO signal, and the bias voltage applied to the photodiode, the ADC is configured to convert the radio frequency signal to a digital domain, and the electronic device comprises a control circuit configured to supply the bias voltage to the photodiode having a first magnitude when the photodiode generates the current on the antenna radiating element, and configured to supply the bias voltage to the photodiode having a second magnitude different from the first magnitude when the photodiode generates the radio frequency signal.

[0095] According to another embodiment, the photodiode comprises a single row carrier photodiode (UTC PD).

[0096] According to another embodiment, the optical modulator comprises a Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM).

[0097] According to another embodiment, the electronic device comprises: a phased antenna array comprising the antenna radiating element, the phased antenna array configured to form a signal beam of said frequency; an optical phase shifter interposed along the optical signal path and configured to apply an optical phase shift to the first optical LO signal; and a control circuit configured to adjust a direction of the signal beam by adjusting the optical phase shift applied by the optical phase shifter.

[0098] According to an embodiment, a method of operating electronics is provided, the method comprising: generating, with an optical component, a first optical local oscillator (LO) signal and a second optical LO signal that is offset in wavelength relative to the first optical LO signal; modulating, with a Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM), wireless data onto the second optical LO signal; converting, with a single row carrier photodiode (UTC PD), the first optical LO signal and the second optical LO signal to a current on an antenna radiating element at a frequency greater than 100 GHz when the UTC PD is biased with a first bias voltage; transmitting, with the antenna radiating element, a first wireless signal associated with the current, the first wireless signal comprising the wireless data; and receiving, with the UTC PD, a second wireless signal at a frequency greater than 100 GHz using the antenna radiating element when the UTC PD is biased with a second bias voltage that is different than the first bias voltage.

[0099] According to another embodiment, the method comprises: converting, with the UTC PD, the second wireless signal to a radio frequency signal at a frequency less than 100 GHz when the UTC PD is biased with the second bias voltage; and converting, with the MZM, the radio frequency signal into the optical domain.

[0100] According to another embodiment, the method comprises: converting, with the UTC PD, the second wireless signal to a radio frequency signal at a frequency less than 100 GHz when the UTC PD is biased with the second bias voltage; and converting, with an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), the radio frequency signal into the digital domain.

[0101] According to another embodiment, the method comprises: directly sampling, with the UTC PD, the second wireless signal into the optical domain when the UTC PD is biased with the second bias voltage.

[0102] The foregoing is merely illustrative and various modifications can be made to the described embodiments. The foregoing embodiments can be implemented independently or in any combination.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising: Photodiode; An optical signal path is configured to illuminate the photodiode using a first optical local oscillator (LO) signal and a second optical LO signal with a wavelength offset relative to the first optical LO signal; An optical modulator, the optical modulator being disposed along the optical signal path and configured to modulate wireless data onto the second optical LO signal; An antenna radiating element coupled to the photodiode, wherein the photodiode is configured to generate a current with a frequency greater than or equal to 100 GHz on the antenna radiating element based on the first optical LO signal, the second optical LO signal and a bias voltage applied to the photodiode, and the current on the antenna radiating element is configured to radiate a wireless signal including the wireless data. and A receiving path that couples the photodiode to the optical modulator.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the antenna radiating element is configured to receive an additional wireless signal with a frequency greater than or equal to 100 GHz, and the photodiode is configured to generate a radio frequency signal with a frequency less than 100 GHz on the receiving path based on the additional wireless signal, the first optical LO signal, the second optical LO signal, and the bias voltage applied to the photodiode.

3. The electronic device according to claim 2, further comprising: A control circuit configured to supply a first bias voltage to the photodiode when the photodiode generates the current on the antenna radiating element, and configured to supply a second bias voltage, different from the first bias voltage, to the photodiode when the photodiode generates the radio frequency signal.

4. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the receiving path is configured to transmit the radio frequency signal to the optical modulator, and the optical modulator is configured to convert additional wireless data in the radio frequency signal into the optical domain.

5. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the optical signal path comprises: Spectrometer; Optical combiner; A first optical fiber coupled between the beam splitter and the optical combiner; and A second optical fiber is coupled parallel to the first optical fiber between the beam splitter and the optical combiner, wherein the optical modulator is inserted along the second optical fiber.

6. The electronic device according to claim 5, further comprising: A phased antenna array, the phased antenna array including the antenna radiating element, the phased antenna array being configured to form a signal beam at the frequency.

7. The electronic device according to claim 6, further comprising: An optical phase shifter, which is inserted along the first optical fiber and configured to apply an optical phase shift to the first optical LO signal; and A control circuit configured to adjust the direction of the signal beam by adjusting the optical phase shift applied by the optical phase shifter.

8. The electronic device according to claim 6, further comprising: A control circuit, wherein the optical modulator is configured to apply an optical phase shift to the second optical LO signal, and the control circuit is configured to adjust the direction of the signal beam by adjusting the optical phase shift applied to the second optical LO signal by the optical modulator.

9. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising: A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that outputs the wireless data; and A transmission path that couples the DAC to the optical modulator and transmits the wireless data from the DAC to the optical modulator.

10. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the photodiode comprises a single-line carrier photodiode (UTC PD).

11. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the optical modulator comprises a Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM).

12. An electronic device, comprising: Photodiode; An optical signal path is configured to illuminate the photodiode using a first optical local oscillator (LO) signal and a second optical LO signal with a wavelength offset relative to the first optical LO signal; An optical modulator, the optical modulator being disposed along the optical signal path; A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) configured to output wireless data; A transmission path that couples the DAC to the optical modulator and is configured to transmit the wireless data from the DAC to the optical modulator, the optical modulator being configured to modulate the wireless data onto the second optical LO signal; An antenna radiating element coupled to the photodiode, wherein the photodiode is configured to generate a current with a frequency greater than or equal to 100 GHz on the antenna radiating element based on the first optical LO signal, the second optical LO signal and a bias voltage applied to the photodiode, and the current on the antenna radiating element is configured to transmit a wireless signal including the wireless data. Analog-to-digital converter (ADC); and A receiving path that couples the photodiode to the ADC.

13. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the antenna radiating element is configured to receive an additional wireless signal with a frequency greater than or equal to 100 GHz, and the photodiode is configured to generate a radio frequency signal with a frequency less than 100 GHz on the receiving path based on the additional wireless signal, the first optical LO signal, the second optical LO signal, and the bias voltage applied to the photodiode, the ADC is configured to convert the radio frequency signal to the digital domain, and the electronic device further comprises: A control circuit configured to supply a first bias voltage to the photodiode when the photodiode generates the current on the antenna radiating element, and configured to supply a second bias voltage, different from the first bias voltage, to the photodiode when the photodiode generates the radio frequency signal.

14. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the photodiode comprises a single-line carrier photodiode (UTC PD).

15. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the optical modulator comprises a Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM).

16. The electronic device of claim 13, further comprising: A phased antenna array, the phased antenna array including the antenna radiating element, the phased antenna array being configured to form a signal beam at the frequency; An optical phase shifter, which is inserted along the optical signal path and configured to apply an optical phase shift to the first optical LO signal; and A control circuit configured to adjust the direction of the signal beam by adjusting the optical phase shift applied by the optical phase shifter.

17. A method of operating an electronic device, comprising: A first optical local oscillator (LO) signal and a second optical LO signal with a wavelength offset relative to the first optical LO signal are generated using optical components. The wireless data is modulated onto the second optical LO signal using a Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM); Using a single-line carrier photodiode (UTC PD), when the UTC PD is biased with a first bias voltage, the first optical LO signal and the second optical LO signal are converted into a current with a frequency greater than 100 GHz on the antenna radiating element; Using the antenna radiating element, a first wireless signal associated with the current is transmitted, wherein the first wireless signal includes the wireless data; as well as Using the UTC PD, when the UTC PD is biased with a second bias voltage different from the first bias voltage, the antenna radiating element is used to receive a second wireless signal with a frequency greater than 100 GHz.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: Using the UTC PD, when the UTC PD is biased with the second bias voltage, the second wireless signal is converted into an radio frequency signal with a frequency of less than 100 GHz; as well as The radio frequency signal is converted into the optical domain using the MZM.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising: Using the UTC PD, when the UTC PD is biased with the second bias voltage, the second wireless signal is converted into an radio frequency signal with a frequency of less than 100 GHz; as well as The radio frequency signal is converted into the digital domain using an analog-to-digital converter (ADC).

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising: Using the UTC PD, when the UTC PD is biased with the second bias voltage, the second wireless signal is directly sampled into the optical domain.

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