Electronic device with power boost for high frequency communication

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to electronic devices with power boosting for high frequency communications. An electronic device can include wireless circuitry with a light source, a set of photodiodes, a resonant element, and a common-gate amplifier (CGA). In a transmit mode, the photodiodes can use an optical local oscillator to generate equal portions of antenna current that are amplified by the CGA for transmission through the resonant element. In a receive mode, the resonant element can generate antenna current that is amplified by the amplifier and flows to the photodiodes. Including multiple photodiodes coupled to the amplifier in a current sharing configuration can be used to boost power. The amplifier can exhibit a wide bandwidth, can perform impedance matching between the resonant element and the photodiodes, and can isolate the photodiodes from antenna mismatch. The antenna can be integrated into a phased antenna array to further boost power.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 184,555, filed March 15, 2023, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 328,561, filed April 7, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates in general to electronic devices, and more specifically to electronic devices having wireless circuitry. Background Technology

[0003] Electronic devices often possess wireless capabilities. Wireless electronic devices have wireless circuitry that includes one or more antennas. This wireless circuitry is used to perform communication using radio frequency signals transmitted by the antennas.

[0004] As software applications on electronic devices become increasingly data-intensive over time, the demand for electronic devices that support wireless communication at higher data rates has increased. However, the maximum data rate supported by electronic devices is limited by the frequency of the radio frequency signal. Furthermore, it may be difficult to provide wireless circuits that support these frequencies with satisfactory wireless performance levels. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The electronic device may include a wireless circuit having a light source that generates at least a first optical local oscillator (LO) signal and a second optical LO signal. The first optical LO signal may be provided with a phase shift. The second optical LO signal may be modulated using wireless data. The wireless circuit may include an antenna having a set of photodiodes, an antenna resonant element coupled to the set of photodiodes via a signal path, and a common-gate amplifier disposed on the signal path between the set of photodiodes and the antenna resonant element. The photodiodes and the common-gate amplifier may operate in transmit mode, receive mode, or switch between transmit and receive modes.

[0006] In transmit mode, the photodiode generates an equal portion of the antenna current along the signal path. The common-gate amplifier acts as a power amplifier to amplify the antenna current. The antenna resonator transmits a radio signal corresponding to the amplified antenna current. In receive mode, the antenna resonator generates the antenna current based on the received radio signal. The common-gate amplifier acts as a low-noise amplifier to amplify the antenna current. The photodiode receives the antenna current and converts it into an intermediate frequency (IF) signal or an optical signal. In a current-sharing configuration, including multiple photodiodes coupled to the common-gate amplifier can significantly increase the antenna power. The common-gate amplifier exhibits a wide bandwidth, performs impedance matching between the antenna resonator and the photodiode, and isolates the photodiode from antenna mismatch. This antenna can be integrated into a phased-array antenna to further enhance power.

[0007] One aspect of this disclosure provides an electronic device. The electronic device may include an antenna resonant element. The electronic device may include a signal path coupled to the antenna resonant element. The electronic device may include a photodiode coupled to the signal path and configured to receive a first optical local oscillator (LO) signal and a second optical LO signal at a frequency different from the first optical LO signal. The electronic device may include a common-gate amplifier disposed on the signal path between the photodiode and the antenna resonant element.

[0008] One aspect of this disclosure provides an electronic device. The electronic device may include a set of photodiodes. The electronic device may include an antenna resonant element. The electronic device may include a common-gate amplifier coupled between the antenna resonant element and the set of photodiodes, wherein the common-gate amplifier is switchable between a transmit mode and a receive mode. The common-gate amplifier may be configured to amplify a first current generated by the set of photodiodes for transmission using the antenna resonant element in transmit mode. The common-gate amplifier may be configured to amplify a second current generated by the antenna resonant element for reception using the set of photodiodes in receive mode.

[0009] One aspect of this disclosure provides an electronic device. The electronic device may include a phased antenna array having at least a first antenna resonant element and a second antenna resonant element. The electronic device may include a first photodiode configured to generate a first portion of a first antenna current based on a first optical local oscillator (LO) signal provided with a first phase shift and a second optical LO signal modulated using wireless data. The electronic device may include a second photodiode configured to generate a second portion of the first antenna current based on the first optical LO signal provided with a first phase shift and a second optical LO signal modulated using wireless data. The electronic device may include a first amplifier configured to amplify the first antenna current, and the first antenna resonant element configured to transmit a first wireless signal corresponding to the first antenna current amplified by the first amplifier. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of an exemplary electronic device having a wireless circuit with at least one antenna according to some embodiments, the at least one antenna transmitting wireless signals at frequencies greater than about 100 GHz.

[0011] Figure 2 A top view of an exemplary antenna for transmitting wireless signals at frequencies greater than approximately 100 GHz based on an optical local oscillator (LO) signal, according to some implementation schemes.

[0012] Figure 3 For illustration of some implementation schemes Figure 2 A top view showing how an exemplary antenna of the type shown can convert received wireless signals at frequencies greater than approximately 100 GHz into intermediate frequency signals based on optical LO signals.

[0013] Figure 4 For illustration of some implementation schemes Figure 2 and Figure 3 A top view showing how multiple antennas of the type shown can be stacked to cover multiple polarizations.

[0014] Figure 5 To show how it can be Figure 4 A top view showing a stacked antenna of the type shown integrated into a phased antenna array for transmitting wireless signals at frequencies greater than approximately 100 GHz within the corresponding signal beam.

[0015] Figure 6 The circuit diagram is provided for an exemplary wireless circuit with an antenna according to some embodiments, which transmits and receives wireless signals at frequencies greater than about 100 GHz for conversion to intermediate frequency and then to the optical domain.

[0016] Figure 7 A circuit diagram of an exemplary phased antenna array for transmitting wireless signals at frequencies greater than approximately 100 GHz within a corresponding signal beam, according to some implementation schemes.

[0017] Figure 8 The circuit diagram is provided for an exemplary antenna according to some implementation schemes. The exemplary antenna has multiple photodiodes and a common-gate amplifier to boost the power of wireless signals at frequencies greater than about 100 GHz.

[0018] Figure 9 The circuit diagram is provided as an example of a phased antenna array with antennas according to some implementation schemes, each antenna having a corresponding set of photodiodes and a corresponding common-gate amplifier to transmit wireless signals at frequencies greater than about 100 GHz.

[0019] Figure 10 The circuit diagram is an exemplary common-gate amplifier according to some implementation schemes.

[0020] Figure 11 In accordance with some implementation plans, in use Figure 8 and Figure 9 A flowchart illustrating the exemplary operations involved when an antenna of the type shown transmits and receives signals at frequencies greater than approximately 100 GHz. Detailed Implementation

[0021] Figure 1The electronic device 10 (sometimes referred to herein as electro-optical device 10) may 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 hanging device, a headset or handset, a device embedded in glasses, goggles; or other equipment worn on a user's head; or other wearable or micro-devices, televisions, computer monitors without 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 functions of two or more of these devices; or other electronic equipment.

[0022] 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 a dielectric or other low-conductivity material (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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] Control circuitry 14 may include processing circuitry, such as processing circuitry 18. Processing circuitry 18 may be used to control the operation of device 10. Processing circuitry 18 may include one or more processors, microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, host processors, baseband processor integrated circuits, application-specific integrated circuits, central processing units (CPUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), etc. Control circuitry 14 may be configured to perform operations in device 10 using hardware (e.g., dedicated hardware or circuitry), firmware, and / or software. Software code for performing operations in device 10 may be stored on storage circuitry 16 (e.g., storage circuitry 16 may include a non-transitory (tangible) computer-readable storage medium storing software code). This software code may sometimes be referred to as program instructions, software, data, commands, or code. The software code stored on storage circuitry 16 may be executed by processing circuitry 18.

[0025] Control circuitry 14 can be used to run software on device 10, such as satellite navigation applications, internet browsing applications, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone calling applications, email applications, media playback applications, operating system functions, etc. To support interaction with external equipment, control circuitry 14 can be used to implement communication protocols. Communication protocols that can be implemented using control circuitry 14 include Internet Protocol, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) protocols (e.g., IEEE 802.11 protocol—sometimes referred to as...). ), such as Protocols such as those used for other short-range wireless communication links, including wireless personal area network (WPAN) protocols, IEEE 802.11ad protocols (e.g., ultra-wideband protocols), cellular phone 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 protocols. Each communication protocol may be associated with a corresponding radio access technology (RAT), which specifies the physical connection method used to implement the protocol.

[0026] Device 10 may include input-output circuitry 20. Input-output circuitry 20 may include input-output devices 22. Input-output devices 22 may be used to allow data to be supplied to device 10 and to allow data to be supplied from device 10 to external devices. Input-output devices 22 may include user interface devices, data port devices, and other input-output components. For example, input-output devices 22 may include touch sensors, displays (e.g., touch-sensitive displays and / or force-sensitive displays), light-emitting components such as displays without touch sensor capability, buttons (mechanical, capacitive, optical, etc.), scroll wheels, touchpads, keypads, keyboards, microphones, cameras, buttons, speakers, status indicators, audio jacks and other audio port components, digital data port devices, motion sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, and / or compasses for detecting motion), capacitive sensors, proximity sensors, magnetic sensors, force sensors (e.g., force sensors coupled to a display to detect pressure applied to the display), temperature sensors, etc. In some configurations, keyboards, headphones, displays, pointing devices such as touchpads, mice and joysticks, and other input-output devices may be coupled to device 10 via wired or wireless connections (e.g., some of the input-output devices 22 may be peripherals coupled to the main processing unit or other parts of device 10 via wired or wireless links).

[0027] The input-output circuitry 20 may include a wireless circuitry 24 to support wireless communication. The wireless circuitry 24 (sometimes referred to herein as wireless communication circuitry 24) may include one or more antennas 30.

[0028] Wireless circuit 24 may also include transceiver circuitry 26. Transceiver circuitry 26 may 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 source, 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 transmission lines, optical fibers, and / or any other circuitry for transmitting and / or receiving wireless signals using antenna 30. Components of transceiver circuitry 26 may be implemented on a single integrated circuit, chip, system-on-a-chip (SOC), die, printed circuit board, substrate, or package, or components of transceiver circuitry 26 may be distributed across two or more integrated circuits, chips, SOCs, printed circuit boards, substrates, and / or packages.

[0029] Figure 1 The examples are merely illustrative. Although for clarity, in Figure 1In the example, control circuitry 14 is shown separate from wireless circuitry 24, but wireless circuitry 24 may include processing circuitry (e.g., one or more processors) and / or storage circuitry, the processing circuitry forming part of processing circuitry 18, and the storage circuitry forming part of storage circuitry 16 of control circuitry 14 (e.g., portions of control circuitry 14 may be implemented on wireless circuitry 24). As an example, control circuitry 14 may include baseband circuitry (e.g., one or more baseband processors), digital control circuitry, analog control circuitry, and / or other control circuitry forming part of wireless circuitry 24. Baseband circuitry may, for example, access the communication protocol stack on control circuitry 14 (e.g., storage circuitry 20) to: perform user plane functions at the PHY layer, MAC layer, RLC layer, PDCP layer, SDAP layer, and / or PDU layer; and / or perform control plane functions at the PHY layer, MAC layer, RLC layer, PDCP layer, RRC layer, and / or non-access layer.

[0030] Transceiver circuitry 26 can be coupled to each antenna 30 in wireless circuitry 24 via a corresponding signal path 28. Each signal path 28 may include one or more RF transmit lines, waveguides, optical fibers, and / or any other desired lines / paths for transmitting wireless signals between transceiver circuitry 26 and antenna 30. Antenna 30 may be formed using any desired antenna structure for transmitting wireless signals. For example, antenna 30 may include antennas with resonant elements, formed by dipole antenna structures, planar dipole antenna structures (e.g., butterfly antenna structures), slot antenna structures, loop antenna structures, patch antenna structures, inverted F-shaped antenna structures, planar inverted F-shaped 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 may be adjusted to modify the frequency response and wireless performance of antenna 30 over time.

[0031] If desired, two or more antennas in antenna 30 may be integrated into a phased antenna array (sometimes referred to herein as a phased array antenna), in which each antenna transmits a wireless signal having a corresponding phase and magnitude adjusted over time, such that the wireless signals interfere constructively and destructively to generate (form) a signal beam in a given pointing direction. As used herein, the term “transmitting a wireless signal” means the transmission and / or reception of a wireless signal (e.g., for performing one-way and / or two-way wireless communication with an external wireless communication device). Antenna 30 may transmit a wireless signal by radiating the signal into free space (or radiating it into free space through an intermediary device structure such as a dielectric overlay). Alternatively or in addition, antenna 30 may receive a wireless signal from free space (e.g., through an intermediary device structure such as a dielectric overlay). The transmission and reception of wireless signals by antenna 30 each involve the excitation or resonance of an antenna current on an antenna resonant (radiating) element in the antenna by the wireless signal within the antenna's operating frequency band.

[0032] Transceiver circuitry 26 may use antenna 30 to transmit and / or receive wireless signals that transmit wireless communication data between device 10 and external wireless communication equipment (e.g., one or more other devices, such as device 10, a wireless access point, or a base station). The wireless communication data may be transmitted bidirectionally or unidirectionally. The wireless communication data may include, for example, data encoded into corresponding data packets, such as wireless data associated with telephone calls, streaming media content, internet browsing, wireless data associated with software applications running on device 10, email messages, etc.

[0033] Alternatively, wireless circuitry 24 may use antenna 30 to perform wireless sensing operations. Sensing operations may allow device 10 to detect (e.g., sense or identify) the presence, location, orientation, and / or speed (motion) of an external object. Control circuitry 14 may use the detected presence, location, orientation, and / or speed of the external object to perform any desired device operation. As an example, control circuitry 14 may use the detected presence, location, orientation, and / or speed of an external object to identify corresponding user input for one or more software applications running on device 10, such as gesture input performed by the user's hand or other body parts or by an external stylus, game controller, headset, or other peripheral device or accessory; determine when one or more antennas 30 need to be disabled or set with a reduced maximum transmit power level (e.g., to meet regulatory restrictions on radio frequency exposure); determine how to guide (form) the radio frequency signal beam generated by antennas 30 for wireless circuitry 24 (e.g., in the case where antennas 30 include a phased array of antennas 30); map or model the environment around device 10 (e.g., to generate a software model of the room where device 10 is located for use by augmented reality applications, gaming applications, mapping applications, home design applications, engineering applications, etc.); detect the presence of obstacles near (e.g., around) device 10 or in the direction of movement of the user of device 10; etc.

[0034] Wireless circuit 24 can transmit and / or receive wireless signals within a corresponding frequency band of the electromagnetic spectrum (sometimes referred to herein as the communication band or simply the "band"). The frequency band handled by communication circuit 26 may include: the wireless local area network (WLAN) band (e.g., (IEEE 802.11) or other WLAN communication bands, such as the 2.4 GHz WLAN band (e.g., 2400 MHz to 2480 MHz), the 5 GHz WLAN band (e.g., 5180 MHz to 5825 MHz), 6E band (e.g., 5925MHz-7125MHz) and / or others Bands (e.g., 1875MHz-5160MHz); Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) bands such as 2.4GHz Bands or other WPAN communication bands; cellular telephone bands (e.g., bands from about 600 MHz to about 5 GHz, 3G bands, 4G LTE bands, 5G New Radio Frequency Range 1 (FR1) band below 10 GHz, 5G New Radio Frequency Range 2 (FR2) band between 20 GHz and 60 GHz, etc.); other centimeter wave or millimeter wave bands between 10 GHz and 100 GHz; near-field communication bands (e.g., 13.56 MHz); satellite navigation bands (e.g., GPS band from 1565 MHz to 1610 MHz, Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) band, BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) band, etc.); ultra-wideband (UWB) bands operating under the IEEE 802.15.4 protocol and / or other ultra-wideband communication protocols; communication bands belonging to the 3GPP wireless communication standards family; communication bands belonging to the IEEE 802.XX standards family; and / or any other desired bands of interest.

[0035] Over time, software applications on electronic devices (such as device 10) have become increasingly data-intensive. Therefore, the wireless circuitry on these devices needs to support data transmission at increasingly higher data rates. Generally, the data rate supported by a wireless circuit is proportional to the frequency of the wireless signal transmitted by the circuit (e.g., higher frequencies support higher data rates compared to lower frequencies). Wireless circuit 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 approximately 10 GHz and 100 GHz). However, the data rates supported by centimeter and millimeter wave signals may still be insufficient to meet all the data transmission needs of device 10. To support even higher data rates, such as up to 5 Gbps-10 Gbps or higher, wireless circuit 24 can transmit wireless signals at frequencies greater than approximately 100 GHz.

[0036] like Figure 1As shown, wireless circuit 24 can transmit wireless signals 32 at frequencies greater than approximately 100 GHz and can receive wireless signals 34 at frequencies greater than approximately 100 GHz (e.g., greater than 70 GHz, 80 GHz, 90 GHz, 110 GHz, etc.). Wireless signals 32 and 34 may 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. THF signals 32 and 34 may be located at sub-THz or THz frequencies such as those 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 70 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 sub-THz, THz, THF, or sub-millimeter bands such as the 6 GHz band). The high data rates supported by these frequencies can be utilized by device 10 to perform cellular phone voice and / or data communications (e.g., simultaneously supporting spatial multiplexing to provide additional data bandwidth), to perform spatial ranging operations such as radar operations to detect the presence, location, and / or speed of objects outside device 10, to perform vehicle sensing (e.g., with enhanced security), to perform health / body monitoring of the user of device 10 or another person, to perform gas or chemical detection, to establish a high data rate wireless connection between device 10 and another device or peripheral device (e.g., to establish a high data rate between a display driver on device 10 and a display showing ultra-high resolution video), to establish a remote wireless head (e.g., flexible high data rate connection), to establish a THF chip-to-chip connection supporting high data rates within device 10 (e.g., where an antenna 30 on a first chip in device 10 transmits a THF signal 32 to another antenna 30 on a second chip in device 10), and / or to perform any other desired high data rate operations.

[0037] Space is extremely valuable within electronic devices (such as device 10). In some cases, the antenna 30 used to transmit the THF signal 32 is different from the antenna 30 used to receive the THF signal 34. However, using different antennas 30 to handle the transmission of the THF signal 32 and the reception of the THF signal 34 can consume excessive space and other resources within device 10, as two antennas 30 and signal path 28 would be required 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 for both transmitting the THF signal 32 and receiving the THF signal 34. If needed, multiple antennas 30 in wireless circuit 24 can transmit the THF signal 32 and receive the THF signal 34. The antennas can be integrated into a phased antenna array that transmits the THF signal 32 and receives the THF signal 34 within the corresponding signal beam oriented in the selected beam pointing direction.

[0038] Integrating components into the wireless circuitry 24 that supports wireless communication at these high frequencies can be challenging. If desired, the transceiver circuitry 26 and signal path 28 may include optical components that transmit optical signals to support the transmission of THF signal 32 and the reception of THF signal 34 in a space- and resource-efficient manner. The optical signals can be used to transmit THF signal 32 at the THF frequency and to receive THF signal 34 at the THF frequency.

[0039] Figure 2 This is a diagram of an exemplary antenna 30 that can be used to transmit THF signal 32 and receive THF signal 34 using optical signals. Antenna 30 may include one or more antenna radiating (resonant) elements 36, such as radiating (resonant) element arms. Figure 2 In the example, antenna 30 is a planar dipole antenna (sometimes referred to as a "butterfly" antenna) with an antenna resonant element 36 having two opposing resonant element arms (e.g., butterfly arms or dipole arms). This is merely illustrative, and in general, antenna 30 can be any type of antenna with any desired antenna radiating element architecture.

[0040] like Figure 2As shown, antenna 30 includes a photodiode (PD) 42 coupled between the arms of antenna resonant element 36. Electronic devices (such as device 10) including antenna 30 with photodiode 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 UTC PD 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 an optical frequency to a current at a THF frequency and / or vice versa on antenna resonant element 36 (e.g., pin diode, tunnel diode, TWUTC photodiode, other diodes with secondary characteristics, LT-GaAS photodiode, M-UTC photodiode, etc.). Each radiating element arm in the antenna resonant element 36 may, for example, have a first edge located at UTC PD 42 and a second edge wider than the first edge opposite to the first edge (e.g., in a specific embodiment where the antenna 30 is a butterfly antenna). Other radiating elements may be used if desired.

[0041] The UTC PD 42 may be able to receive one or more control signals V 偏置 The bias terminal (input) 38. Control signal V 偏置 This may include bias voltages set at one or more voltage levels and / or other control signals for controlling the operation of the UTC PD 42, such as impedance adjustment control signals for adjusting the output impedance of the UTC PD 42. Control circuit 14 ( Figure 1 Control signals V can be provided (e.g., applied, supplied, asserted, etc.) with different settings (e.g., value, quantity, etc.). 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 control signal V... 偏置 This can be used to control whether antenna 30 transmits THF signal 32 or receives THF signal 34. When the control signal V... 偏置 When the bias voltage asserted at the first level or magnitude is present, antenna 30 can be configured to transmit THF signal 32. When the control signal V... 偏置 When the bias voltage asserted at the second level or magnitude is present, antenna 30 can be configured to receive THF signal 34. Figure 2 In the example, the control signal V 偏置 This includes a bias voltage asserted at the first level to configure antenna 30 to transmit THF signal 32. If necessary, control signal 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) to perform gain control on the signal transmitted by the antenna 30 and / or to adjust the output impedance of the UTC PD 42.

[0042] 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 The transceiver circuit 26 receives optical signals. These optical signals may include a first optical local oscillator (LO) signal LO1 and a second optical local oscillator (LO2). The optical local oscillator signals LO1 and LO2 can be received by the transceiver circuit 26. Figure 1 The light source is generated in the antenna 30. 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 or extreme ultraviolet wavelengths), and / or infrared wavelengths (e.g., near-infrared, mid-infrared, or far-infrared wavelengths). Optical local oscillator signal LO2 can be offset from optical local oscillator signal LO1 by a wavelength offset X. The wavelength offset X can be equal to the wavelength of the THF signal transmitted by antenna 30 (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.).

[0043] During signal transmission, radio data (e.g., radio data packets, symbols, frames, etc.) can be modulated onto an optical local oscillator signal LO2 to generate 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 using the optical local oscillator signal LO1 (plus the applied optical phase shift S) and the modulated optical local oscillator signal LO2'. If desired, a lens or other optical component can be inserted between the optical path 40 and the UTC PD 42 to help focus the optical local oscillator signal onto the UTC PD 42.

[0044] The UTC PD 42 converts 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 flowing around the periphery of the radiating element arm in the antenna resonant element 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 radiates (emits) the THF signal 32 into free space. Control signal V 偏置 The UTC PD42 can be controlled to convert the optical local oscillator signal into an antenna current on the radiating element arm in the antenna resonant element 36, while simultaneously storing the modulation and thus the radio data on the modulated local oscillator signal LO2' (e.g., by applying a square function to the signal). The THF signal 32 will thus carry the modulated radio data for reception and demodulation by an external wireless communication device.

[0045] Figure 3 To illustrate (for example, in the case of control signal 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, the THF signal 34 can be incident on the antenna radiating element arm of the antenna resonator 36. The incident THF signal 34 can generate an antenna current flowing around the periphery of the radiating element arm in the antenna resonator 36. The UTC PD 42 can use the optical local oscillator signal LO1 (plus the optical phase shift S for the application), the optical local oscillator signal LO2 (e.g., without modulation), and the control signal V. 偏置 (For example, the bias voltage asserted at the second level) converts the received THF signal 34 into an intermediate frequency signal SIGIF output to the intermediate frequency signal path 44.

[0046] 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 1The 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).

[0047] 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.

[0048] like Figure 4 As shown, the wireless circuit may include a first antenna 30, such as antenna 30V for covering a first polarization (e.g., a first linear polarization such as vertical polarization), and may include a second antenna 30, such as antenna 30H for covering a second polarization different from or orthogonal to the first polarization (e.g., a second linear polarization such as horizontal polarization). Antenna 30V may have a UTC PD 42, such as UTC PD 42V coupled between corresponding pairs of radiating element arms in antenna resonant element 36. Antenna 30H may have a UTC PD 42, such as UTC PD 42H coupled between corresponding pairs of radiating element arms in antenna resonant element 36, which are oriented non-parallel (e.g., orthogonal) to the radiating element arms in antenna resonant element 36 of antenna 30V. This allows antennas 30V and 30H to transmit THF signal 32 with corresponding (orthogonal) polarizations, and allows antennas 30V and 30H to receive THF signal 32 with corresponding (orthogonal) polarizations.

[0049] To minimize space within device 10, antenna 30V may be vertically stacked above or below antenna 30H (e.g., where UTC PD 42V and UTC PD 42H partially or completely overlap). In this example, both antennas 30V and 30H may be formed on the same substrate, such as a rigid or flexible printed circuit board. The substrate may include multiple stacked dielectric layers (e.g., layers of ceramic, epoxy, flexible printed circuit board material, rigid printed circuit board material, etc.). Antenna resonant element 36 in antenna 30V may be formed on a separate substrate layer as antenna resonant element 36 in antenna 30H, or antenna resonant element 36 in antenna 30V may be formed on the same substrate layer as antenna resonant element 36 in antenna 30H. UTC PD 42V may be formed on the same substrate layer as UTC PD 42H, or UTC PD 42V may be formed on a separate substrate layer as UTC PD 42H. UTC PD 42V can be formed on the same substrate as the antenna resonant element 36 in antenna 30V, or it can be formed on a separate substrate as the antenna resonant element 36 in antenna 30V. UTC PD 42H can be formed on the same substrate as the antenna resonant element 36 in antenna 30H, or it can be formed on a separate substrate as the antenna resonant element 36 in antenna 30H.

[0050] If needed, antenna 30 or Figure 4 The antennas 30H and 30V are integrated into the phased antenna array. Figure 5 This diagram illustrates an example of how antennas 30H and 30V can be integrated within a phased antenna array. (See diagram for example.) Figure 5 As shown, device 10 may 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 phased antenna array 46 may be formed on the same substrate. This is merely illustrative. In general, phased antenna array 46 (sometimes referred to as a phased array antenna) may include any desired number of antennas 30V and 30H (or non-stacked antennas 30) arranged in any desired pattern. Each of these antennas in phased antenna array 46 may be provided with a corresponding optical phase shift S( Figure 2 and Figure 3 The corresponding optical phase shift configures the antenna to jointly transmit THF signal 32 and / or receive THF signal 34, which are summed to form a THF signal beam in a desired beam pointing direction. The beam pointing direction can be selected to direct the signal beam toward external communication equipment, toward a desired external object, away from an external object, etc.

[0051] 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 of 48 (e.g., measured from one end of a radiating element arm to the opposite end of the opposite radiating element arm). The length 48 can be approximately equal to half the 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 micrometers or less. This allows the phased antenna array 46 to occupy a very small area within the device 10, thereby allowing the phased antenna array to be integrated within different parts of the device 10 while still allowing other space for device components. Figures 2 to 5 The examples are merely illustrative, and in general, each antenna can have any desired antenna radiating element architecture.

[0052] Figure 6 To illustrate a given antenna 30 and signal path 28 ( Figure 1 This is a circuit diagram showing how THF signal 32 can be used to transmit and receive THF signal 34 based on an optical local oscillator signal. Figure 6 In the example, the UTC PD 42 converts the received THF signal 34 into an intermediate frequency signal SIGIF, which is then converted to the optical domain for use in recovering wireless data from the received THF signal.

[0053] like Figure 6 As shown, wireless circuit 24 may include transceiver circuitry 26 coupled to antenna 30 via signal path 28 (e.g., an optical signal path, sometimes referred to herein as optical signal path 28). UTC PD 42 may be coupled between a radiating element arm in antenna resonant element 36 of antenna 30 and signal path 28. Transceiver circuitry 26 may include optical components 68, amplifier circuitry such as power amplifier 76, and digital-to-analog converter (DAC) 74. Optical components 68 may include optical receivers (such as optical receiver 72) and optical local oscillator (LO) light sources (emitters) 70. LO light sources 70 may include two or more light sources, such as laser sources, laser diodes, optical phase-locked loops, or other optical emitters emitting light at corresponding wavelengths (e.g., optical local oscillator signals LO1 and LO2). If desired, LO light sources 70 may include a single light source and may include optical components for splitting the light emitted by the light source into different wavelengths. Signal path 28 may be coupled to optical components 68 via optical path 66. Optical path 66 may include one or more optical fibers and / or waveguides.

[0054] Signal path 28 may include a beam splitter such as beam splitter (OS) 54, optical paths such as optical path 64 and optical path 62, an optical combiner such as optical combiner (OC) 52, and optical path 40. Optical path 62 may be an optical fiber or a waveguide. Optical path 64 may be an optical fiber or a waveguide. Beam splitter 54 may have a first (e.g., input) port coupled to optical path 66, a second (e.g., output) port coupled to optical path 62, and a third (e.g., output) port coupled to optical path 64. Optical path 64 may couple beam splitter 54 to a first (e.g., input) port of optical combiner 52. Optical path 62 may couple beam splitter 54 to a second (e.g., input) port of optical combiner 52. Optical combiner 52 may have a third (e.g., output) port coupled to optical path 40.

[0055] An optical phase shifter (such as optical phase shifter 80) may be (optically) inserted on or along optical path 64. An optical modulator (such as optical modulator 56) may be (optically) inserted on or along optical path 62. Optical modulator 56 may be, for example, a Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM), and is therefore sometimes referred to as MZM 56. MZM 56 includes a first optical arm (branch) 60 and a second optical arm (branch) 58 inserted in parallel along optical path 62. The propagation of the optical local oscillator signal LO2 along arms 60 and 58 of MZM 56 allows for different optical phase shifts to be applied to each arm before the signal is reconstructed at the output of the MZM, provided that a voltage signal is applied to one or both arms (e.g., where the optical phase modulation generated on these arms is converted into intensity modulation at the output of MZM 56). When the voltage applied to MZM 56 includes wireless data, MZM 56 can modulate the wireless data onto the optical local oscillator signal LO2. If needed, the phase shift performed at MZM 56 can be used to perform beamforming / guiding, as a supplement to or alternative to optical phase shifter 80. MZM 56 can receive one or more bias voltages W applied to one or both of arms 58 and 60. 偏置 (sometimes referred to in this paper as the bias signal W) 偏置 Control circuit 14 ( Figure 1 It can provide bias voltages W with different values. 偏置 This allows the MZM 56 to be placed 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.).

[0056] Intermediate frequency (IF) signal path 44 may couple UTC PD 42 to MZM 56 (e.g., arm 60). An amplifier (such as low-noise amplifier 82) may be inserted into IF signal path 44. IF signal path 44 may be used to pass the IF signal SIGIF from UTC PD 42 to MZM 56. DAC 74 may have inputs coupled to up-conversion circuitry, modulator circuitry, and / or baseband circuitry in the transmitter of transceiver circuitry 26. DAC 74 may receive digital data for transmission via antenna 30 and may convert the digital data into the analog domain (e.g., as data DAT). DAC 74 may have an output coupled to transmit data path 78. Transmit data path 78 may couple DAC 74 to MZM 56 (e.g., arm 60). Each component along signal path 28 allows the same antenna 30 to transmit THF signal 32 and receive THF signal 34 (e.g., using the same component along signal path 28), thereby minimizing space and resource consumption within device 10.

[0057] The LO light source 70 can generate (emit) optical local oscillator signals LO1 and LO2 (e.g., at different wavelengths separated by the wavelengths of the THF signals 32 / 34). Optical components 68 may include lenses, waveguides, optical couplers, optical fibers, and / or other optical components that guide the emitted optical local oscillator signals LO1 and LO2 via optical path 66 toward beam splitter 54. Beam splitter 54 can split the optical signals on optical path 66 (e.g., according to wavelength) to output optical local oscillator signal LO1 onto optical path 64, while outputting optical local oscillator signal LO2 onto optical path 62.

[0058] Control circuit 14 ( Figure 1 A phase control signal CTRL can be provided to optical phase shifter 80. The phase control signal CTRL controls optical phase shifter 80 to apply an optical phase shift S to the optical local oscillator signal LO1 on optical path 64. The phase shift S can be selected to guide the signal beam of THF signals 32 / 34 in the desired pointing direction. Optical phase shifter 80 can pass the phase-shifted optical local oscillator signal LO1 (referred to as LO1+S) to optical combiner 52. Signal beamguiding is performed in the optical domain (e.g., using optical phase shifter 80) rather than in the THF domain because there is no satisfactory phase shifting circuit component operating at a frequency as high as that of THF signals 32 and 34. Optical combiner 52 can receive optical local oscillator signal LO2 via optical path 62. Optical combiner 52 can combine optical local oscillator signals LO1 and LO2 onto optical path 40, which directs these optical local oscillator signals to UTC PD 42 for use during signal transmission or reception.

[0059] During the transmission of THF signal 32, DAC 74 can receive digital radio data (e.g., data packets, frames, symbols, etc.) for transmission via THF signal 32. DAC 74 can convert the digital radio data into the analog domain and output (transmit) the data as data DAT to 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 generate 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 LO1 with modulated optical local oscillator signal LO2' at optical path 40.

[0060] Optical path 40 can illuminate UTC PD 42 using optical local oscillator signal LO1 (e.g., and phase shift S applied by optical phase shifter 80) and modulated optical local oscillator signal LO2'. Control circuit 14 ( Figure 1 Control signals V can be applied to UTCPD 42. 偏置 The control signal configures antenna 30 to transmit THF signal 32. UTC PD 42 can convert the optical local oscillator signal LO1 and the modulated optical local oscillator signal LO2' into an antenna current on antenna resonant element 36 at the frequency of THF signal 32 (e.g., when programmed to use control signal V). 偏置 (During transmission). The antenna current on the antenna resonant element 36 can radiate the THF signal 32. The frequency of the THF signal 32 is given by the frequency difference between the optical local oscillator signal LO1 and the modulated optical local oscillator signal LO2'. Control signal V 偏置 The UTC PD 42 can be controlled to preserve the modulation from the modulated optical local oscillator signal LO2' in the radiated THF signal 32. External equipment receiving the THF signal 32 can thus be able to extract data DAT from the THF signal 32 emitted by the antenna 30.

[0061] During the reception of THF signal 34, MZM 56 does not modulate any data onto the optical local oscillator signal LO2. Optical path 40 therefore illuminates UTC PD 42 using optical local oscillator signal LO1 (e.g., and phase shift S) and optical local oscillator signal LO2. Control circuit 14 ( Figure 1 A control signal V can be applied to the UTC PD 42. 偏置(e.g., bias voltage), this control signal configures antenna 30 to receive THF signal 32. UTC PD 42 can use optical local oscillator signals LO1 and LO2 to convert the received THF signal 34 into an intermediate frequency signal SIGIF (e.g., when programmed to use bias voltage V) output to the intermediate frequency signal path 44. 偏置 (During reception). The intermediate frequency (IF) signal SIGIF may include modulated data from the received THF signal 34. The low-noise amplifier 82 amplifies the IF signals SIGIF, which are then provided to the MZM 56 (e.g., arm 60). The MZM 56 can convert the IF signals SIGIF as optical signals LORx to the optical domain (e.g., by modulating the data in the IF signals SIGIF onto one of these optical local oscillator signals), and can pass these optical signals to the optical receiver 72 in the optical component 68, as indicated by arrow 63 (e.g., via optical paths 62 and 66 or other optical paths). Control circuit 14 ( Figure 1 The 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.

[0062] Figure 6 The example of the intermediate frequency (IF) signal SIGIF being converted to the optical domain is merely illustrative. If needed, transceiver circuitry 26 can receive and demodulate the IF signal SIGIF without first transmitting these signals to the optical domain. For example, transceiver circuitry 26 may include an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), with the IF signal path 44 coupled to the input of the ADC instead of the MZM56, and the ADC converting the IF signal SIGIF to the digital domain. Alternatively, the IF signal path 44 may be omitted, and the control signal V... 偏置 The UTC PD 42 can be controlled to directly sample the THF signal 34 along with the optical local oscillator signals LO1 and LO2 into the optical domain. For example, the UTC PD 42 can use the received THF signal 34 and the control signal V 偏置An optical signal is generated on optical path 40. The optical signal may have an optical carrier with sidebands separated from the optical carrier by a fixed frequency offset (e.g., 30GHz-100GHz, 60GHz, 50GHz-70GHz, 10GHz-100GHz, etc.). The sidebands may be used to carry modulated data from the received THF signal 34. Signal path 28 can guide (propagate) the optical signal generated by UTC PD 42 to optical receiver 72 in optical component 68 (e.g., via optical paths 40, 64, 62, 66, 63 and / or other optical paths). Control circuit 14 ( Figure 1 The optical receiver 72 can be used 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). If needed, the antenna 30 can be integrated into the access point 45.

[0063] Figure 7 The circuit diagram illustrates an example of how multiple antennas 30 can be integrated into a phased antenna array 88 that transmits THF signals via corresponding signal beams. Figure 7 In the example, for clarity, Figure 6 The MZM56, intermediate frequency signal path 44, data path 78, and optical receiver 72 have been omitted. Each of these antennas in the phased antenna array 88 may optionally sample the received THF signal directly into the optical domain, or may pass the intermediate frequency signal SIGIF to the ADC in the transceiver circuit 26.

[0064] like Figure 7 As shown, the phased antenna array 88 includes N antennas 30, such as a first antenna 30-0, a second antenna 30-1, an Nth antenna 30-(N-1), etc. Each antenna 30 in the phased antenna array 88 can be transmitted via a corresponding optical signal path (e.g., Figure 6The optical signal path 28) is coupled to the optical component 68. Each of the N signal paths may include a corresponding optical combiner 52, which is coupled to the UTC PD 42 of the corresponding antenna 30 (e.g., UTC PD 42 in antenna 30-0 may be coupled to optical combiner 52-0, UTC PD 42 in antenna 30-1 may be coupled to optical combiner 52-1, UTC PD 42 in antenna 30-(N-1) may be coupled to optical combiner 52-(N-1), etc.). Each of the N signal paths may also include a corresponding optical path 62 and a corresponding optical path 64, which are coupled to a corresponding optical combiner 52 (e.g., optical paths 64-0 and 62-0 may be coupled to optical combiner 52-0, optical paths 64-1 and 62-1 may be coupled to optical combiner 52-1, optical paths 64-(N-1) and 62-(N-1) may be coupled to optical combiner 52-(N-1), etc.).

[0065] Optical components 68 may include LO light sources 70, such as a first LO light source 70A and a second LO light source 70B. Optical signal paths for each antenna in the antennas 30 of the phased antenna array 88 may share one or more beam splitters 54, such as a first beam splitter 54A and a second beam splitter 54B. LO light source 70A may generate (e.g., produce, emit, transmit, etc.) a first optical local oscillator signal LO1 and may provide the first optical local oscillator signal LO1 to beam splitter 54A via optical path 66A. Beam splitter 54A may distribute the first optical local oscillator signal LO1 to each UTC PD in the UTC PD 42 of the phased antenna array 88 via optical paths 64 (e.g., optical paths 64-0, 64-1, 64-(N-1) etc.). Similarly, LO light source 70B may generate (e.g., produce, emit, transmit, etc.) a second optical local oscillator signal LO2 and may provide the second optical local oscillator signal LO2 to beam splitter 54B via optical path 66B. The beam splitter 54B can distribute the second optical local oscillator signal LO2 to each UTC PD in the UTCPD 42 of the phased antenna array 88 via optical path 62 (e.g., optical paths 62-0, 62-1, 62-(N-1) etc.).

[0066] The corresponding optical phase shifter 80 can be inserted along each optical path 64 (on which) (for example, the first optical phase shifter 80-0 can be inserted along optical path 64-0, the second optical phase shifter 80-1 can be inserted along optical path 64-1, the Nth optical phase shifter 80-(N-1) can be inserted along optical path 64-(N-1), etc.). Each optical phase shifter 80 can receive a control signal CTRL, which controls the phase S of the optical local oscillator signal LO1 provided by the optical phase shifter (for example, the first optical phase shifter 80-0 can apply a zero-degree / radian optical phase shift to the optical local oscillator signal LO1 provided to the antenna 30-0, the second optical phase shifter 80-1 can apply an optical phase shift of Δφ to the optical local oscillator signal LO1 provided to the antenna 30-1, and the Nth optical phase shifter 80-(N-1) can apply an optical phase shift of (N-1)Δφ to the optical local oscillator signal LO1 provided to the antenna 30-(N-1). By adjusting the phase S applied by each of the N optical phase shifters 80, the control circuit 14 ( Figure 1 The control circuit 14 can control each of the antennas 30 in the phased antenna array 88 to transmit a THF signal 32 and / or receive a THF signal 34 within a formed signal beam 83. The signal beam 83 can be oriented in a specific beam pointing direction (angle) 84 (e.g., the direction of the peak gain of the signal beam 83). The THF signal transmitted by the phased antenna array 88 can have a wavefront 86 orthogonal to the beam pointing direction 84. For example, the control circuit 14 can adjust the beam pointing direction 84 over time to point toward or away from external communication equipment or external objects.

[0067] While communication at frequencies greater than approximately 100 GHz allows for extremely high data rates (e.g., greater than 100 Gbps), it can be difficult to provide THz devices capable of delivering the output power required for communication at these frequencies (the so-called "THz gap"). For example, electronically based devices are fundamentally limited by parasitic circuit elements such as series resistance and parallel capacitance, as well as the finite velocity of electrons in a crystal. Due to the much higher efficiency of optical devices (e.g., lasers, semiconductor optical amplifiers, etc.), it is possible to utilize the timing between optical local oscillator signals LO1 and LO2 (e.g., as combined above). Figures 2 to 7 The above-mentioned method generates a THF signal for transmission to solve the THz gap problem.

[0068] During implementation, heat dissipation may limit the total power generated by UTC PD 42 and antenna 30. Therefore, it may be desirable to increase the power generated at antenna 30, thereby allowing for optimal communication using THF signals 34 and 32. Figure 8 A circuit block diagram illustrating an example of how antenna 30 can boost the power of THF signals 34 and 32.

[0069] like Figure 8 As shown, antenna 30 may include multiple UTC PDs 42, such as UTC PDs 42-1, 42-2, 42-3, and 42-4. This example is merely illustrative, and in general, antenna 30 may include any desired number of two or more UTC PDs 42 (e.g., two UTC PDs 42, three UTC PDs 42, four or more UTC PDs 42, etc.). Each UTC PD 42 may receive optical local oscillator signals LO1 and LO2 via optical path 40 (e.g., UTC PDs 42-1, 42-2, 42-3, and 42-4 may be coupled in parallel between optical path 40 and antenna resonant element 36 and may each be illuminated by the same optical local oscillator signal LO1 and the same optical local oscillator signal LO2). Optical local oscillator signal LO1 may include a phase shift S (e.g., as provided by...). Figure 6 The optical phase shifter 80 generates the signal LO2, and / or the optical local oscillator signal LO2 can be modulated using wireless data (e.g., generated by the optical phase shifter 80). Figure 8 The optical local oscillator signal LO2 can be Figure 6 The modulated optical local oscillator signal LO2'). Each UTC PD 42 can be controlled by the same control signal V. 偏置 Control. Each UTC PD 42 may have an output terminal communicatively coupled to the antenna resonant element 36 via signal path 94. An amplifier, such as a common-gate amplifier (CGA) 96, may be disposed on signal path 94 and inserted between the UTC PD 42 and the antenna resonant element 36.

[0070] Antenna 30 can be implemented using multiple UTC PDs 42 illuminated with the same optical local oscillator signals LO1 and LO2, which can be used to increase the power of antenna 30. For example, each UTC PD 42 can generate the same antenna current I on signal path 94 in response to optical local oscillator signals LO1 and LO2. UTC This can produce an output equal to 4*I on signal path 94. UTC The total antenna current is four times greater than the antenna current on signal path 94 when antenna 30 includes only a single UTC PD 42. Generally, the more UTC PDs 42 in antenna 30, the greater the total antenna current on signal path 94. This is because the power on signal path 94 is related to the antenna current I. UTC The total antenna current on signal path 94 is proportional to the square of the power, so the total antenna current can present up to 16 times more power than in a specific implementation where antenna 30 includes only a single UTC PD 42 (e.g., adding an additional UTC PD 42 to antenna 30 can be used to increase the power of antenna 30).

[0071] When configured in this way, the UTC PD 42 in antenna 30 is coupled to the CGA 96 in a current-sharing configuration. The CGA 96 can amplify the antenna current flowing along signal path 94 to further boost the power of antenna 30. Consider an example where a single UTC PD 42 provides a -5dBm signal (e.g., at 300 GHz) and the CGA 96 provides approximately 3dB of amplification. In this example, four UTC PDs (e.g., UTC PDs 42-1, 42-2, 42-3, and 42-4) can collectively provide more than 16 times the power (or 12dB), and the CGA 96 can contribute approximately 3dB to produce a total output power of +10dBm for antenna 30. This boost in output power can be used to mitigate the thermal dissipation limitations of the UTC PDs and can allow for optimal wireless communication using antenna 30.

[0072] Meanwhile, the circuitry of the CGA 96 helps to reduce the output impedance Z of the UTC PD 42 to accommodate the antenna current on signal path 94. A The input impedance Z of the antenna resonant element 36 B Matching (e.g., no additional expensive matching circuitry is required). Additionally, the CGA 96 can be used to isolate the output of the UTC PD 42 from antenna impedance mismatch, which can occur when the antenna resonant element 36 experiences an impedance load due to the presence of a nearby external object, thereby helping the antenna 30 exhibit maximum antenna efficiency over a wide range of operating conditions. Compared to its implementation with the common-emitter amplifier positioned on the signal path 94, the CGA 96 offers significantly higher frequency bandwidth and improved signal isolation.

[0073] In an example where antenna 30 is used only for transmitting or only for receiving THF signals, CGA 96 can be a unidirectional amplifier. CGA 96 can also be a bidirectional amplifier capable of operating in both transmit and receive modes. When CGA 96 is a bidirectional amplifier, it can receive control signal CTRL2 at control input 98. Control signal CTRL2 can control (switch) CGA 96 between transmit and receive modes.

[0074] During signal transmission, the optical local oscillator signal LO2 may include a modulated optical local oscillator signal LO2'. Figure 6 Control signal V 偏置 UTC PDs 42-1, 42-2, 42-3, and 42-4 can be configured (placed) in signal transmission mode (e.g., as shown in the image). Figure 2(As shown). Similarly, control signal CTRL2 can configure (place) CGA 96 in signal transmission mode. In signal transmission mode, UTC PD 42 can generate corresponding antenna currents I based on the beat between optical local oscillator signal LO1 and modulated optical local oscillator signal LO2'. UTC Antenna current I UTC The frequency can be given by the difference between the frequencies of the optical local oscillator signals LO1 and LO2 (e.g., the antenna current I). UTC It can operate at frequencies greater than or equal to approximately 100 THz. Antenna current I UTC It can store (carry) wireless data associated with the modulation of the optical local oscillator signal LO2. Control signal CTRL2 configures CGA 96 to form a power amplifier (PA), which amplifies the total antenna current 4*I generated by UTC PD 42 in the transmit direction (as shown by arrow 92). UTC The antenna resonant element 36 can emit a corresponding THF signal 32, such as that amplified by the CGA 96. Figure 6 ).

[0075] During signal reception, control signal V 偏置 UTC PDs 42-1, 42-2, 42-3, and 42-4 can be configured (placed) in signal reception mode (e.g., as shown in the image). Figure 3 (As shown). Similarly, the control signal CTRL2 can configure (place) CGA 96 in signal reception mode. In signal reception mode, the antenna resonant element 36 can be adjusted according to the received THF signal 34 ( Figure 6 An antenna current is generated on signal path 94. Control signal CTRL2 configures CGA 96 to form a low-noise amplifier (LNA), which amplifies the antenna current in the receiving direction (as shown by arrow 90). UTC PD 42 can convert the antenna current into an intermediate frequency signal or an optical signal (e.g., as shown by arrow 90). Figure 6 (As shown). In this way, antenna 30 can present enhanced power and can be used for both signal transmission and reception, while also presenting optimal impedance matching between the UTC PD and the antenna resonant element arm.

[0076] If desired, the CGA 96 can be implemented using indium phosphide (InP) process technology (e.g., the CGA 96 could be an InP common-gate amplifier). In these examples, the UTC PD 42 can also be implemented using InP process technology (e.g., the UTC PD 42 could also be an InP UTC PD). In these examples, the UTC PD 42 can be integrated within the CGA 96 if desired. This is merely illustrative, and in general, any desired process technology can be used to implement the CGA 96. Figure 8The examples are merely illustrative. The UTC PD 42 can each receive optical local oscillator signals LO1 and LO2 via the same optical path 40 or two or more different (e.g., corresponding) optical paths. Antenna 30 can include any desired number of two or more UTC PD 42s. If desired, more than one CGA can be provided on signal path 94.

[0077] To further enhance the power of the THF signal, antenna 30 can be integrated into phased antenna array 88. Figure 7 ). Figure 9 To illustrate how the phased antenna array 88 may include, for example Figure 8 A diagram illustrating an example of the power-boosting antenna 30. (See diagram for reference.) Figure 9 As shown, the phased antenna array 88 may include at least a first antenna 30-1 and a second antenna 30-2. Each antenna may include a corresponding set of two or more UTC PDs 42 (e.g., four UTC PDs 42-1, 42-2, 42-3, and 42-4) coupled to their respective antenna resonant elements 36 via corresponding CGAs 96. Each antenna 30 in the phased antenna array 88 may be fed using a corresponding optical path 40 (e.g., antenna 30-1 may be fed using optical path 40-1, antenna 30-2 may be fed using optical path 40-2, and so on). Each optical path 40 may include a corresponding optical fiber, waveguide, optical combiner, lens, and / or beam splitter, or two or more optical paths 40 may share the same optical fiber, waveguide, optical combiner, lens, and / or beam splitter.

[0078] Each optical path 40 may include, for example: Figure 9 The exemplary example shows the corresponding optical modulator 100, or, if desired, two or more (e.g., each) optical paths 40 may share the same optical modulator 100 (e.g., Figure 6 MZM60). For example Figure 9 As illustrated in the exemplary example, each optical modulator 100 may receive a corresponding optical local oscillator signal LO2 (e.g., antenna 30-1 may receive optical local oscillator signal LO2-1, antenna 30-2 may receive optical local oscillator signal LO2-2, etc.), or, if desired, each optical path 40 may receive the same optical local oscillator signal LO2 (e.g., Figure 9The optical local oscillator signal LO2-2 may be the same as the optical local oscillator signal LO2-1. The optical modulator 100 may generate a modulated optical local oscillator signal LO2' based on the optical local oscillator signal LO2 (e.g., the optical local oscillator signal LO2'-1 for the modulation of antenna 30-1, the optical local oscillator signal LO2'-2 for the modulation of antenna 30-2, which may be the same as the modulated optical local oscillator signal LO2'-1 or may be different from the modulated optical local oscillator signal LO2'-1, etc.).

[0079] Each optical path 40 in the phased antenna array 88, and therefore each antenna 30, may include a corresponding optical phase shifter (OPS) 80. For example... Figure 9 As illustrated in the exemplary example, each optical phase shifter 80 may receive a corresponding optical local oscillator signal LO1 (e.g., antenna 30-1 may receive optical local oscillator signal LO1-1, antenna 30-2 may receive optical local oscillator signal LO1-2, etc.), or, if desired, each optical path 40 may receive the same optical local oscillator signal LO1 (e.g., ...). Figure 9 The optical local oscillator signal LO1-2 can be the same as the optical local oscillator signal LO1-1. Each optical phase shifter 80 can apply a corresponding phase shift S to its optical local oscillator signal LO1 (e.g., the optical phase shifter 80 in antenna 30-1 can apply a first phase shift S1 to the optical local oscillator signal LO1-1, the optical phase shifter 80 in antenna 30-2 can apply a second phase shift S2 to the optical local oscillator signal LO1-2, which can be the same as or different from the optical local oscillator signal LO1-1, etc.). In other words, each UTC PD 42 in each antenna 30 can be provided with an optical local oscillator signal LO1, which is provided with the same phase shift S (e.g., where S varies across the antennas 30 in the phased antenna array 88). This allows the antennas 30 in the phased antenna array 88 to collectively form a signal beam in a selected beam-directing direction. The phase S can change over time to guide the beam in other beam pointing directions.

[0080] When each antenna is provided with the same modulation data (e.g., an optical local oscillator LO2' with the same modulation provided by an optical modulator 100 shared across antennas 30), the UTC PD 42 and CGA 96 in each antenna 30 optimally enhance the power of the signal transmitted by the corresponding antenna 30, while the power is further enhanced by the phase length contribution from each corresponding antenna 30 in the phased antenna array 88 transmitting the signal, and simultaneously the phase shift S across the phased antenna array 88 varies to guide the corresponding beam of the THF signal in the desired beam pointing direction. Generally, increasing the number of antennas 30 in the phased antenna array 88 transmitting modulation data can further enhance the power of the transmitted signal and thus the modulation data. For example, the overall generated output power may be more than sufficient for short-range (e.g., 10m-100m) communication at THz frequencies.

[0081] Figure 10 This is a circuit diagram of an exemplary CGA 96 that can be used to boost the power of antenna 30. (Example:) Figure 10 As shown, the CGA 96 may have an input terminal 110 and an output terminal 112. The input terminal 110 can be coupled to a corresponding antenna 40 ( Figure 8 The UTC PD42 in the antenna 40. Output terminal 112 can be coupled to the antenna resonant element 36 in the corresponding antenna 40.

[0082] CGA 96 may have a first choke 122 coupling the input terminal 110 to ground 118. CGA 96 may have a second choke 122 coupling the output terminal 112 to ground 118. CGA 96 may include a collection of one or more CGA stages 120 connected in series between the input terminal 110 and the output terminal 112. A first switch 114 may be connected to a first inductor L. SW They are coupled together in parallel between input terminal 110 and the first CGA stage 120 in CGA 96. The second switch 116 is compatible with the second inductor L. SW They are coupled together in parallel between the output terminal 112 and the last CGA stage 120 in CGA 96. Each CGA stage 120 may include a transistor 124 having a first source / drain terminal coupled to the previous CGA stage 120 (or a switch 114 for the first CGA stage 120) and having an inductor L coupled to the corresponding CGA stage. M The second source / drain terminal. CGA class inductor L MThe second source / drain terminal of transistor 124 in its CGA stage 120 can be coupled between the first source / drain terminal of transistor 124 in the next CGA stage 120 (or the switch 116 for the last CGA stage 120). The gate terminal of transistor 124 can be coupled to ground 118 via a corresponding capacitor 126 (e.g., each transistor 124 in CGA 96 has a common gate that is maintained at the same (ground) potential).

[0083] Control signal CTRL2 ( Figure 8 The states of switches 114 and 116 can be controlled to switch between transmit and receive modes. In transmit mode, switch 114 is closed (e.g., energized or activated to activate the inductor L in parallel). SW When a short-circuit impedance is formed around the circuit, switch 116 is opened (e.g., de-energized or deactivated to prevent short circuits in the parallel-coupled inductor L). SW (This creates an open-circuit impedance), and a bias voltage V is applied at node 130 between the choke 122 at output terminal 112 and ground 118. DD This allows the antenna current to flow in the direction of arrow 92, while the CGA stage 120 acts as a power amplifier to amplify the antenna current and maintain wide bandwidth characteristics. In receive mode, switch 114 is open, switch 116 is closed, and a bias voltage V is applied at node 128 between the choke 122 at input terminal 112 and ground 118. DD This allows the antenna current to flow in the direction of arrow 90, while the CGA 120 acts as a low-noise amplifier to amplify the antenna current and maintain wide bandwidth characteristics. Meanwhile, components of the CGA 96 can be used to adjust the impedance Z of the UTC PD 42. A With antenna resonant element 36 ( Figure 8 The impedance Z B Matching, and also helps to isolate antenna mismatch caused by changes in impedance load. Figure 10 The examples are merely illustrative, and in general, other architectures can be used with CGA 96.

[0084] Figure 11 For using antenna 30 with enhanced power ( Figure 8 and Figure 9 A flowchart illustrating possible operations that may be involved in communication. At operation 130, control circuit 14 ( Figure 1 The control signal V can be used. 偏置 Configure each of the UTC PDs 42 in the antenna 30 for signal transmission (e.g., by putting the UTC PD into transmit mode).

[0085] At operation 132, control circuit 14 ( Figure 1The control signal CTRL2 can be used to configure CGA 96 in antenna 30 for signal transmission (e.g., by putting CGA into transmit mode). Operations 130 and 132 can be performed simultaneously if needed.

[0086] At operation 134, transceiver circuit 26 can use antenna 30 to transmit THF signals. For example, the same optical local oscillator signal LO1 (e.g., with phase shift S) and the same modulated optical local oscillator signal LO2' can be provided to each of the UTC PDs 42 in antenna 30. The UTC PDs 42 can each generate a corresponding antenna current I based on the optical local oscillator signal LO1 and the modulated optical local oscillator signal LO2'. UTC The CGA 96 can be used as a power amplifier to amplify the antenna current. The antenna resonant element 36 can transmit a THF signal 32 corresponding to the amplified current.

[0087] At operation 136, control circuit 14 ( Figure 1 The control signal V can be used. 偏置 Configure each of the UTC PDs 42 in the antenna 30 for signal reception (e.g., by putting the UTC PD into receive mode).

[0088] At operation 138, control circuit 14 ( Figure 1 The control signal CTRL2 can be used to configure CGA 96 in antenna 30 for signal reception (e.g., by placing CGA in receive mode). Operations 136 and 138 can be performed simultaneously if needed.

[0089] At operation 140, transceiver circuit 26 can use antenna 30 to receive THF signal 34, thereby generating a corresponding antenna current. CGA 96 can act as a low-noise amplifier to amplify the antenna current. UTC PD 42 can convert the antenna current into an intermediate frequency signal or an optical signal. Processing can loop back to operation 130 via path 142 (e.g., antenna 30 can use a time-division duplex scheme to transmit and receive THF signals).

[0090] Device 10 may collect and / or use personally identifiable information. It is well known that the use of personally identifiable information should comply with privacy policies and practices generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for protecting user privacy. Specifically, personally identifiable information data should be managed and processed to minimize the risk of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly explained to the user. If necessary, the optical components described herein (e.g., MZM modulators, waveguides, phase shifters, UTC PDs, etc.) may be implemented in plasmonic technology.

[0091] The above text combined Figures 1 to 11The methods and operations described (e.g., Figure 11 The operations can be performed by components of device 10 using software, firmware, and / or hardware (e.g., dedicated circuitry or hardware). The software code used to perform these operations may be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (e.g., a tangible computer-readable storage medium) stored on one or more components of device 10 (e.g., ...). Figure 1 The storage circuit 16). This software code may sometimes be referred to as software, data, instructions, program instructions, or code. Non-transitory computer-readable storage media may include drives, non-volatile memory such as non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), removable flash drives or other removable media, other types of random access memory, etc. The software stored on the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may be processed by processing circuitry on one or more components of device 10 (e.g., Figure 1 The processing circuitry (e.g., 18) performs the execution. The processing circuitry may include a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) with processing circuitry, or other processing circuitry.

[0092] According to one embodiment, an electronic device is provided, the electronic device comprising: an antenna resonant element; a photodiode coupled to the antenna resonant element via a signal path and configured to receive a first optical local oscillator (LO) signal and a second optical LO signal at a frequency different from the first optical LO signal; and a common-gate amplifier disposed on the signal path between the photodiode and the antenna resonant element.

[0093] According to another embodiment, the common-gate amplifier is configured to match the output impedance of the photodiode with the input impedance of the antenna resonant element.

[0094] According to another embodiment, the common-gate amplifier is bidirectional.

[0095] According to another embodiment, the common-gate amplifier includes: a first terminal communicatively coupled to the photodiode; a second terminal communicatively coupled to the antenna resonant element; one or more common-gate amplifier stages connected in series between the first terminal and the second terminal; a first switch coupled between the one or more common-gate amplifier stages and the first terminal; and a second switch coupled between the one or more common-gate amplifier stages and the second terminal.

[0096] According to another embodiment, the common-gate amplifier is capable of operating in a transmit mode where current flows from the first terminal to the second terminal in the signal path, and is capable of operating in a receive mode where current flows from the second terminal to the first terminal in the signal path, wherein the first switch is closed and the second switch is open when the common-gate amplifier is in the transmit mode, and the first switch is open and the second switch is closed when the common-gate amplifier is in the receive mode.

[0097] According to another embodiment, the common-gate amplifier includes an indium phosphide (InP) common-gate amplifier.

[0098] According to another embodiment, the photodiode includes an InP photodiode integrated within the InP common-gate amplifier.

[0099] According to another embodiment, the electronic device includes an additional photodiode configured to receive the first optical LO signal and the second optical LO signal, the photodiode being configured to generate a first current on the signal path based on the first optical LO signal and the second optical LO signal, the additional photodiode being configured to generate a second current on the signal path based on the first optical LO signal and the second optical LO signal, and the second current being equal to the first current.

[0100] According to another embodiment, the electronic device includes an optical phase shifter configured to apply a phase shift to the first optical LO signal provided to the photodiode and to the first optical LO signal provided to the additional phase shifter.

[0101] According to another embodiment, the photodiode includes a single-line carrier photodiode (UTC-PD).

[0102] According to one embodiment, an electronic device is provided, the electronic device including a set of photodiodes, an antenna resonant element, and a common-gate amplifier coupled between the antenna resonant element and the set of photodiodes, the common-gate amplifier being switchable between a transmit mode and a receive mode, the common-gate amplifier being configured to amplify a first current generated by the set of photodiodes for transmitting using the antenna resonant element when in transmit mode, and to amplify a second current generated by the antenna resonant element for receiving using the set of photodiodes when in receive mode.

[0103] According to another embodiment, the common-gate amplifier includes a set of common-gate amplifier stages connected in series between a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal being communicatively coupled to the set of photodiodes and the second terminal being communicatively coupled to the antenna resonant element; a first switch that couples the set of common-gate amplifier stages to the first terminal; and a second switch that couples the set of common-gate amplifier stages to the second terminal, wherein in the transmit mode the first switch is closed and the second switch is open, and in the receive mode the first switch is open and the second switch is closed.

[0104] According to another embodiment, the common-gate amplifier is configured to match the impedance of the set of photodiodes with the impedance of the antenna resonant element.

[0105] According to another embodiment, each of the group of photodiodes is configured to generate a corresponding portion of the first current based on a first optical local oscillator (LO) signal and a second optical LO signal.

[0106] According to another embodiment, the set of photodiodes includes: a first photodiode configured to generate a first portion of the first current based on the first optical LO signal and the second optical LO signal; and a second photodiode configured to generate a second portion of the first current based on the first optical LO signal and the second optical LO signal, the second portion being equal to the first portion.

[0107] According to another embodiment, the set of photodiodes includes: a third photodiode configured to generate a third portion of the first current based on the first optical LO signal and the second optical LO signal, the third portion being equal to the second portion; and a fourth photodiode configured to generate a fourth portion of the first current based on the first optical LO signal and the second optical LO signal, the fourth portion being equal to the third portion.

[0108] According to another embodiment, the electronic device includes: an optical modulator configured to modulate wireless data onto the second optical LO signal; and an optical phase shifter configured to apply a phase shift to the first optical LO signal.

[0109] According to one embodiment, an electronic device is provided, the electronic device comprising: a phased antenna array having at least a first antenna resonant element and a second antenna resonant element; a first photodiode configured to generate a first portion of a first antenna current based on a first optical local oscillator (LO) signal provided with a first phase shift and based on a second optical LO signal modulated using wireless data; a second photodiode configured to generate a second portion of the first antenna current based on the first optical LO signal provided with the first phase shift and based on the second optical LO signal modulated using the wireless data; and a first amplifier configured to amplify the first antenna current, the first antenna resonant element being configured to transmit a first wireless signal corresponding to the first antenna current amplified by the first amplifier.

[0110] According to another embodiment, the electronic device includes: a third photodiode configured to generate a first portion of a second antenna current based on a first optical LO signal provided with a second phase shift different from the first phase shift and based on a second optical LO signal modulated using the wireless data; a fourth photodiode configured to generate a second portion of the second antenna current based on the first optical LO signal provided with the second phase shift and based on the second optical LO signal modulated using the wireless data; and a second amplifier configured to amplify the second antenna current, the second antenna resonant element being configured to transmit a second wireless signal corresponding to the second antenna current amplified by the second amplifier.

[0111] According to another embodiment, the electronic device includes: a fifth photodiode configured to generate a third portion of the first antenna current based on a first optical LO signal provided with the first phase shift and a second optical LO signal modulated using the wireless data; a sixth photodiode configured to generate a fourth portion of the first antenna current based on the first optical LO signal provided with the first phase shift and a second optical LO signal modulated using the wireless data; a seventh photodiode configured to generate a third portion of the second antenna current based on the first optical LO signal provided with the second phase shift and a second optical LO signal modulated using the wireless data; and an eighth photodiode configured to generate a fourth portion of the second antenna current based on the first optical LO signal provided with the second phase shift and a second optical LO signal modulated using the wireless data.

[0112] The foregoing description is merely illustrative and various modifications can be made to the described implementation scheme. The described implementation scheme can be implemented independently or in any combination.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising: Antenna resonant elements, A photodiode, coupled to the antenna resonant element via a signal path and configured to receive a first optical local oscillator (LO) signal and a second optical LO signal, the second optical LO signal being at a different frequency than the first optical LO signal; and A common-gate amplifier is disposed on the signal path between the photodiode and the antenna resonant element, wherein the common-gate amplifier is configured to match the output impedance of the photodiode with the input impedance of the antenna resonant element.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the common-gate amplifier is bidirectional.

3. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the common-gate amplifier comprises: A first terminal, which is communicatively coupled to the photodiode; The second terminal is communicatively coupled to the antenna resonant element; One or more common-gate amplifier stages, the one or more common-gate amplifier stages being coupled in series between the first terminal and the second terminal; A first switch is coupled between the one or more common-gate amplifier stages and the first terminal; and A second switch is coupled between the one or more common-gate amplifier stages and the second terminal.

4. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein the common-gate amplifier is operable in a transmit mode and a receive mode, wherein in the transmit mode current flows from the first terminal to the second terminal in the signal path, and in the receive mode current flows from the second terminal to the first terminal, wherein when the common-gate amplifier is in the transmit mode the first switch is closed and the second switch is open, and when the common-gate amplifier is in the receive mode the first switch is open and the second switch is closed.

5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the common-gate amplifier comprises an indium phosphide (InP) common-gate amplifier.

6. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein the photodiode comprises an InP photodiode integrated within the InP common-gate amplifier.

7. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising: An additional photodiode is configured to receive the first optical LO signal and the second optical LO signal, wherein the photodiode is configured to generate a first current on the signal path based on the first optical LO signal and the second optical LO signal, and the additional photodiode is configured to generate a second current on the signal path based on the first optical LO signal and the second optical LO signal, and the second current is equal to the first current.

8. The electronic device according to claim 7, further comprising: An optical phase shifter configured to apply a phase shift to the first optical LO signal provided to the photodiode and to the first optical LO signal provided to the additional photodiode.

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

10. An electronic device, comprising: A set of photodiodes; Antenna resonant elements; and A common-gate amplifier, coupled between the antenna resonant element and the set of photodiodes, wherein the common-gate amplifier is switchable between transmit and receive modes, and the common-gate amplifier is configured to... When in the transmission mode, the first current generated by the set of photodiodes is amplified to transmit using the antenna resonant element. When in the receiving mode, the second current generated by the antenna resonant element is amplified to enable reception using the set of photodiodes, and The impedance of the set of photodiodes is matched with the impedance of the antenna resonant element.

11. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the common-gate amplifier comprises: A set of common-gate amplifier stages is connected in series between a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal being communicatively coupled to the set of photodiodes, and the second terminal being communicatively coupled to the antenna resonant element; A first switch, wherein the first switch couples the set of common-gate amplifier stages to the first terminal; and A second switch couples the set of common-gate amplifier stages to the second terminal, wherein in the transmit mode, the first switch is closed and the second switch is open, and in the receive mode, the first switch is open and the second switch is closed.

12. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein each of the group of photodiodes is configured to generate a corresponding portion of the first current based on a first optical local oscillator (LO) signal and a second optical LO signal.

13. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the set of photodiodes comprises: A first photodiode, configured to generate a first portion of the first current based on the first optical LO signal and the second optical LO signal; and A second photodiode is configured to generate a second portion of the first current based on the first optical LO signal and the second optical LO signal, the second portion being equal to the first portion.

14. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the set of photodiodes further comprises: A third photodiode is configured to generate a third portion of the first current based on the first optical LO signal and the second optical LO signal, the third portion being equal to the second portion; and A fourth photodiode is configured to generate a fourth portion of the first current based on the first optical LO signal and the second optical LO signal, the fourth portion being equal to the third portion.

15. The electronic device according to claim 13, further comprising: An optical modulator configured to modulate wireless data onto the second optical LO signal; and An optical phase shifter configured to apply a phase shift to the first optical LO signal.

16. An electronic device comprising: A phased antenna array, wherein the phased antenna array has at least a first antenna resonant element and a second antenna resonant element; A first photodiode, configured to generate a first portion of a first antenna current based on a first optical local oscillator (LO) signal with a first phase shift and a second optical LO signal modulated with wireless data; A second photodiode is configured to generate a second portion of the first antenna current based on a first optical LO signal with the first phase shift and based on a second optical LO signal modulated with the wireless data. and A first amplifier is configured to amplify the first antenna current, and a first antenna resonant element is configured to transmit a first wireless signal corresponding to the first antenna current amplified by the first amplifier. The first amplifier is a common-gate amplifier disposed between the first antenna resonant element and the first photodiode and the second photodiode. The first amplifier is configured to match the impedance of the first photodiode and the second photodiode with the impedance of the first antenna resonant element.

17. The electronic device of claim 16, further comprising: A third photodiode is configured to generate a first portion of the second antenna current based on a first optical LO signal having a second phase shift different from the first phase shift and based on a second optical LO signal modulated with the wireless data; A fourth photodiode is configured to generate a second portion of the second antenna current based on a first optical LO signal with a second phase shift and a second optical LO signal modulated with the wireless data. and A second amplifier is configured to amplify the second antenna current, and the second antenna resonant element is configured to transmit a second wireless signal corresponding to the second antenna current amplified by the second amplifier.

18. The electronic device of claim 17, further comprising: A fifth photodiode, the fifth photodiode being configured to generate a third portion of the first antenna current based on a first optical LO signal having the first phase shift applied and a second optical LO signal modulated with the wireless data; A sixth photodiode, the sixth photodiode being configured to generate a fourth portion of the first antenna current based on a first optical LO signal having the first phase shift applied and a second optical LO signal modulated with the wireless data; A seventh photodiode, the seventh photodiode being configured to generate a third portion of the second antenna current based on a first optical LO signal having a second phase shift and based on a second optical LO signal modulated with the wireless data; and The eighth photodiode is configured to generate a fourth portion of the second antenna current based on the first optical LO signal with the second phase shift and based on the second optical LO signal modulated with the wireless data.

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