Light-operated true delay network based on optical time interleaving switching and control method

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of light-operated beam forming, in particular to a light-operated true delay network based on optical time interleaving switching and a control method, and the network comprises an electro-optical conversion module which is used for modulating a radio frequency domain input communication signal into an optical domain input signal; the time-interleaved optical true delay line module is used for processing the optical domain input signal to generate a first optical path output signal and a second optical path output signal with corresponding true delay amount, and determining a target optical path output signal from the first optical path output signal and the second optical path output signal based on a received time sequence control signal to perform path selection output, a true delay regulation and control optical signal is obtained; and the photoelectric conversion module is used for converting the frequency of the target optical path output signal to obtain a radio frequency domain output signal and outputting the radio frequency domain output signal. Therefore, the problems of relatively long switching time and relatively large communication signal loss of the optical switch during switching of the true delay line in the prior art are solved, and the rapid switching capability of the optical switch during switching of the true delay line is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of optical beamforming, and particularly relates to an optical true delay network and a control method based on optical time-interleaved switching. Background Art

[0002] Based on phased array technology, communication beamforming can be realized. By controlling the signal phase (time delay) of each antenna element in the antenna array, a flexible and controllable spatial beam direction can be formed, thus effectively concentrating the signal energy on the target user. With the explosive growth of data traffic, the bandwidth demand of communication networks is constantly climbing. However, the traditional analog beamforming technology is implemented using phase shifters integrated with each antenna array, and there is a "beam squint" bottleneck. Signals of different frequencies have different emission angles and cannot meet the application requirements of broadband communication. An effective way to solve the beam squint problem of phase shifters is to introduce frequency-independent true delay between antenna arrays. True delay can apply variable phase shifts across the entire signal spectrum. Among them, the optical true delay beamforming technology uses low-loss optical media (such as optical fibers, optical waveguides) to achieve signal delay. In addition to solving the beam squint problem of broadband phased array systems, compared with electronic technology, optical true delay also has additional advantages such as wide bandwidth, low loss and power consumption, and electromagnetic interference resistance, making it an important implementation route for broadband beamforming technology in next-generation wireless communication.

[0003] In related technologies, there are mainly two implementation paths to realize an optical true delay network: (1) Based on the device dispersion effect, combined with wavelength division multiplexing and dispersion devices, the principle is to control the group velocity of light by changing the dispersion experienced by light during transmission, so as to achieve adjustable true delay. Typical devices such as microring resonators, photonic crystals, and chirped fiber gratings can be continuously tuned and achieve high delay resolution. (2) Based on optical switches to switch optical true delay lines (Optical Switching DelayLine, OSDL), usually by cascading optical switches and different lengths of optical time delays to achieve delay increment tuning. This scheme has a large adjustable true delay range, is easy to expand, and the bandwidth is not limited. In this scheme, parameters such as the volume, insertion loss, switching speed, and isolation of the optical switch restrict the performance of the delay unit. Generally, thermo-optic and magneto-optic switches are used in OSDL. They have good extinction ratio, low insertion loss, and small volume, and are suitable for constructing and expanding large-scale optical true delay lines.

[0004] However, the following problems exist in the related technologies: (1) The scheme based on the device dispersion effect is limited by the dispersion effect, and the adjustable delay amount and the signal bandwidth restrict each other. (2) The scheme based on the optical switch to switch the optical true delay line (OSDL) is restricted by physical principles such as the thermo-optic effect and the magneto-optic effect, and the switching time is relatively long. The electro-optical switch has a fast switching speed, but its insertion loss is large and the extinction ratio is poor. The cascading of multiple levels will cause the accumulation of signal power loss and crosstalk. Therefore, it is difficult to play the role of cascading and switching in the OSDL, and it urgently needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention provides an optically controlled true delay network and a control method based on optical time-interleaved switching, so as to solve the problems in the related technologies that the switching time of the optical switch to switch the true delay line is relatively long and the communication signal loss is relatively large, and to improve the fast switching ability of the optical switch to switch the true delay line.

[0006] The first aspect embodiment of the present invention provides an optically controlled true delay network based on optical time-interleaved switching, including: an electro-optic conversion module, configured to modulate an input communication signal in the radio frequency domain into an input signal in the optical domain; a time-interleaved optical true delay line module, configured to process the input signal in the optical domain to generate a first optical path output signal and a second optical path output signal, and based on a received timing control signal, determine a target optical path output signal from the first optical path output signal and the second optical path output signal for output, to obtain a true delay regulated optical signal; and an opto-electronic conversion module, configured to frequency-convert the target optical path output signal to obtain an output signal in the radio frequency domain, and output the output signal in the radio frequency domain.

[0007] Further, in some embodiments, the electro-optic conversion module is an electro-optic modulator, and the response rate of the electro-optic modulator should be greater than the highest frequency of the bandwidth communication signal.

[0008] Further, in some embodiments, the time-interleaved optical true delay line module includes: a coupler, two parallel optical switch switching true delay lines, and a high-speed routing switch, where the input end of the coupler is connected to the output end of the electro-optic conversion module, and is configured to equally divide the input signal in the optical domain to obtain a first optical domain input signal and a second optical domain input signal; the two parallel optical switch switching true delay lines are configured to process the first optical domain input signal to generate a true delay to obtain the first optical path output signal, and process the second optical domain input signal to generate a true delay to obtain the second optical path output signal, where each optical switch switching true delay line is obtained by connecting a plurality of optical switches and a plurality of optical delay arrays in a cascaded manner; the input end of the high-speed routing switch is connected to the output ends of the two parallel optical switch switching true delay lines, and is configured to determine a target optical path output signal from the first optical path output signal and the second optical path output signal for routing output based on the timing control signal, to obtain a true delay regulated optical signal.

[0009] Further, in some embodiments, it further includes: a control module, where the control module is respectively connected to the two parallel optical switch switching optical true delay lines and the high-speed routing switch, and is used to generate the timing control signal to control the two parallel optical switch switching optical true delay lines and the high-speed routing switch to perform state switching in a time-interleaved state.

[0010] Further, in some embodiments, the optoelectronic conversion module is a photodetector.

[0011] Further, in some embodiments, the high-speed routing switch is an electro-optic switch.

[0012] According to the optical control true delay network based on optical time-interleaved switching proposed in the embodiments of the present invention, through the optoelectronic conversion module, the signal is transmitted into the time-interleaved optical true delay line module composed of two parallel optical switch switching optical true delay lines cascaded with a coupler and then cascaded with a high-speed routing switch. Under the control of the timing control signal, it is output as a radio frequency domain signal by the electro-optic conversion module, realizing the decoupling of the change in the signal delay amount from the switching of the optical switch switching optical true delay line and the association with the switching of the high-speed routing switch. It solves the problems in the related art that the switching time of the optical switch switching true delay line is long and the communication signal loss is large, and improves the fast switching ability of the optical switch switching true delay line.

[0013] An embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention provides a control method for an optical control true delay network based on optical time-interleaved switching, using the optical control true delay network based on optical time-interleaved switching described in the embodiment of the first aspect. Wherein, the method includes the following steps: modulating the radio frequency domain input communication signal into an optical domain input signal; processing the optical domain input signal to generate a first optical path output signal and a second optical path output signal with corresponding true delay amounts, and based on the received timing control signal, determining a target optical path output signal from the first optical path output signal and the second optical path output signal for output, where the lengths of the first optical path output signal and the second optical path output signal are different; frequency-converting the target optical path output signal to obtain a radio frequency domain output signal, and outputting the radio frequency domain output signal.

[0014] Further, in some embodiments, the response rate of the electro-optic modulator should be greater than the highest frequency of the bandwidth communication signal.

[0015] Further, in some embodiments, processing the optical domain input signal to generate a first optical path output signal and a second optical path output signal, and determining a target optical path output signal from the first optical path output signal and the second optical path output signal for output based on the received timing control signal includes: The coupler equally divides the optical domain input signal to obtain a first optical domain input signal and a second optical domain input signal; processing the first optical domain input signal to generate a true delay to obtain the first optical path output signal, and processing the second optical domain input signal to generate a true delay to obtain the second optical path output signal. Based on the timing control signal, a target optical path output signal is determined from the first optical path output signal and the second optical path output signal for routing output to obtain a true delay regulated optical signal.

[0016] Further, in some embodiments, processing the optical domain input signal to generate a first optical path output signal and a second optical path output signal, and determining a target optical path output signal from the first optical path output signal and the second optical path output signal for output based on the received timing control signal includes: generating the timing control signal to control the two parallel optical switches to switch the optical true delay line and the high-speed routing switch to switch states in a time-interleaved manner.

[0017] According to the control method of the optical control true delay network based on optical time-interleaved switching proposed in the embodiments of the present invention, through the optoelectronic conversion module, the signal is transmitted into the time-interleaved optical true delay line module composed of two parallel optical switches switching optical true delay lines cascaded with a coupler and then cascaded with a high-speed routing switch. Under the control of the timing control signal, it is output as a radio frequency domain signal by the electro-optical conversion module, realizing the decoupling of the change in the signal delay amount from the switching of the optical switch switching the optical true delay line and the association with the switching of the high-speed routing switch. It solves the problems in the related art that the switching time of the optical switch switching the true delay line is long and the communication signal loss is large, and improves the fast switching ability of the optical switch switching the optical true delay line.

[0018] Thus, the embodiments of the present invention have the following beneficial effects:

[0019] (1) A new type of time-interleaved optical true delay line module is constructed, which is composed of two parallel optical switches switching optical true delay lines (OSDL) and a high-speed routing switch, and a secondary routing switch control signal is introduced to control the delay amount switching; a new type of delay line control method is proposed, and the switches in the OSDL and the high-speed routing switch are controlled to switch in a time-interleaved manner, greatly improving the switching speed when regulating the signal true delay amount.

[0020] (2) By taking advantage of the advantages of optical true time delay such as no beam squint, low loss, and anti-electromagnetic interference, high-frequency and broadband communication beamforming is realized. The change in signal delay amount is decoupled from the switching of the optical switch to switch the optical true time delay line (OSDL), and is associated with the switching of the high-speed routing switch, thereby realizing the fast switching of the OSDL time delay. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and be readily understood from the following description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0022] Figure 1 FIG. is a block schematic diagram of an optically controlled true time delay network based on optical time interleaving switching according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 FIG. is a structural schematic diagram of an optically controlled true time delay network based on optical time interleaving switching according to a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 FIG. is a working flowchart of an optically controlled true time delay network based on optical time interleaving switching according to a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4 FIG. is a schematic diagram of the time domain waveform of a communication signal during the switching of the delay state according to a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 5 FIG. is a constellation diagram of a communication signal during the switching of the delay state according to a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 6 FIG. is a flowchart of a control method for an optically controlled true time delay network based on optical time interleaving switching according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0028] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below. The examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, where the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are intended to explain the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0029] The optically controlled true time delay network and control method based on optical time interleaving switching according to the embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Aiming at the problems in the related technology mentioned in the above background technology that the switching time of the optical switch to switch the true time delay line is long and the communication signal loss is large, the present invention provides an optically controlled true time delay network based on optical time interleaving switching. The problems in the related technology that the switching time of the optical switch to switch the true time delay line is long and the communication signal loss is large are solved, and the fast switching ability of the optical switch to switch the true time delay line is improved.

[0030] The following will combine with Figure 1 to elaborate in detail on the optical controlled true time delay network based on optical time interleaved switching.

[0031] Figure 1 It is a block schematic diagram of the optical controlled true time delay network based on optical time interleaved switching provided according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] As Figure 1 shown, the optical controlled true time delay network 10 based on optical time interleaved switching includes: an electro-optic conversion module 100, a time interleaved optical true time delay line module 200, and a photoelectric conversion module 300.

[0033] Among them, the electro-optic conversion module 100 is used to modulate the input signal in the radio frequency domain into an input signal in the optical domain; the time interleaved optical true time delay line module 200 is used to process the input signal in the optical domain to generate a first optical path output signal and a second optical path output signal, and based on the received timing control signal, determine a target optical path output signal from the first optical path output signal and the second optical path output signal for output, where the lengths of the first optical path output signal and the second optical path output signal are different; the photoelectric conversion module 300 is used to frequency-convert the target optical path output signal to obtain an output signal in the radio frequency domain and output the output signal in the radio frequency domain.

[0034] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the electro-optic conversion module 100 is an electro-optic modulator, and the response rate of the electro-optic modulator should be greater than the highest frequency of the bandwidth communication signal.

[0035] It should be understood that an electro-optic modulator is a device that uses the electro-optic effect to convert an electrical signal into an optical signal, which plays a key role in an optical communication system. By changing the electric field applied to materials such as electro-optic crystals, the optical properties of the materials, such as refractive index, are changed, thereby realizing the modulation of parameters such as the amplitude, phase, and frequency of the optical signal. In order to ensure the accurate transmission of information during the communication process, it is required that the modulator can accurately track and reflect the changes of the input electrical signal and load the signal completely onto the optical carrier. If the modulator cannot keep up with the change speed of the signal, it will lead to signal distortion, information loss or error. Therefore, it is necessary to set the response rate of the electro-optic modulator to be greater than the highest frequency of the bandwidth communication signal.

[0036] Furthermore, in some embodiments, as Figure 2As shown in the figure, the time-interleaved optical true delay line module 200 includes: a coupler 201, two optically switched true delay lines 202 arranged in parallel, and a high-speed routing switch 203. Among them, the input end of the coupler 201 is connected to the output end of the electro-optical conversion module 100, and is used to equally divide the optical domain input signal to obtain a first optical domain input signal and a second optical domain input signal with corresponding true delay amounts; the two optically switched true delay lines 202 arranged in parallel are used to process the first optical domain input signal to generate a true delay to obtain a first optical path output signal, and process the second optical domain input signal to generate a true delay to obtain a second optical path output signal. Among them, each optically switched true delay line 202 is obtained by cascading a plurality of optical switches and a plurality of optical delay arrays; the input end of the high-speed routing switch 203 is connected to the output ends of the two optically switched true delay lines 202 arranged in parallel, and is used to determine a target optical path output signal from the first optical path output signal and the second optical path output signal based on a timing control signal for routing output to obtain a true delay regulated optical signal.

[0037] For example, the time-interleaved optical true delay line module of the embodiment of the present invention is composed of a 1×2 coupler 201 cascading two parallel optically switched true delay lines 202, and then cascading a 2×1 high-speed routing 203 switch. The high-speed routing switch 203 selects different optically switched true delay lines, thereby changing the true delay amount of the output signal.

[0038] Specifically, the coupler 201 realizes signal splitting, and the signal can obtain different delay effects in different optically switched true delay lines, accelerating the signal processing speed. At the same time, the optical switch and the optical delay array are cascaded, which means that the optical switch and the optical delay array are connected in sequence in order. The optical switch, as a control element, determines the transmission path of the signal; the optical delay array is composed of optical paths of different lengths and provides different delay amounts for the signal. When the optical switch conducts or closes different ports under the action of the control signal, the signal will enter the optical path in the corresponding optical delay array, thereby obtaining a specific delay, and the structure is simple and easy to expand, the performance is stable, reducing signal distortion and interference, and improving the performance of the entire optical control true delay network. The high-speed routing switch 203 selects one of the two optically switched true delay lines as the final output to achieve fast true delay switching.

[0039] Further, in some embodiments, it further includes: a control module 400, which is respectively connected to the two optically switched true delay lines 202 arranged in parallel and the high-speed routing 203 switch, and is used to generate a timing control signal to control the two optically switched true delay lines 202 arranged in parallel and the high-speed routing switch 203 to perform state switching in a time-interleaved state.

[0040] Further, in some embodiments, the optoelectronic conversion module 300 is a photodetector.

[0041] Among them, the photodetector has a high response speed and sensitivity, and can quickly and accurately convert the optical domain signal into a radio frequency domain microwave signal, reducing signal loss and distortion.

[0042] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the high-speed routing switch 203 is an electro-optical switch.

[0043] Among them, when the system performs time-interleaved switching of the optical switch for the optical true delay line and the high-speed routing switch, the electro-optical switch, relying on its own characteristics, can complete the routing action in an extremely short time under the trigger of the rising edge of the control signal, ensuring the timely output of a specific delay signal and realizing the rapid adjustment of the true delay amount of the output signal.

[0044] It should be noted that the communication signal in the embodiment of the present invention is a signal with a carrier frequency of 10 GHz, a symbol rate of 2.5 GBaud, and using QPSK and 16QAM modulation formats.

[0045] To enable those skilled in the relevant art to better understand the optical control true delay network based on optical time-interleaved switching in the embodiment of the present invention, the following will be explained in conjunction with specific embodiments.

[0046] Figure 3 The working flowchart of the optical control true delay network based on optical time-interleaved switching provided according to a specific embodiment of the present invention includes the following steps:

[0047] In step S301, the communication signal is modulated into the optical domain after electro-optical conversion and enters the time-interleaved optical true delay line module for true delay regulation.

[0048] In step S302, the control module generates a control signal, and its rising edge triggers the optical switch to switch the switches in the optical true delay line and the high-speed routing switch to switch states in a time-interleaved order.

[0049] In step S303, the signal is divided into two parallel OSDLs through a coupler, and the two OSDLs switch the delay state under the action of the control signal.

[0050] In step S304, the outputs of the two OSDLs are connected to the two inputs of the high-speed routing switch, and the high-speed routing switch selects one of them under the action of the control signal.

[0051] In step S305, through the electro-optical conversion module, the signal that has undergone true delay regulation is frequency-converted to the radio frequency domain and output.

[0052] Figure 4 The schematic diagram of the time-domain waveform of the communication signal during the delay state switching provided according to a specific embodiment of the present invention Figure 5The communication signal constellation diagram during the delay state transition provided according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Among them, Figure 4 It shows the variation of the communication signal with time during the delay state transition in an optically controlled true delay network based on optical time-interleaved switching. When the optical switch switches the optical true delay line and the high-speed routing switch for time-interleaved switching, the delay amount of the signal changes, resulting in an offset of the waveform position on the time axis. At a certain moment, the optical switch switches the state of the optical true delay line, causing the signal to enter optical paths of different lengths and obtaining different delays.

[0054] Furthermore, Figure 5 It presents the signal quality-related data of continuous signals, optical switch switched delay lines, and time-interleaved optical true delay lines under different modulation formats, including the Error Vector Magnitude (EVM) and the Bit Error Rate (BER). Among them, EVM measures the difference between the actual signal vector and the ideal reference signal vector. The smaller the EVM value, the closer the signal is to the ideal state and the higher the modulation accuracy. BER represents the ratio of the number of error code elements to the total number of transmitted code elements during transmission. The lower the value, the higher the accuracy of signal transmission. Among them, Figure 5 (A) of -4 is the communication signal constellation diagram during the delay state transition when EVM = 8.25% and BER = 1.13×10 Figure 5 (B) of -4 is the communication signal constellation diagram during the delay state transition when EVM = 9.99% and BER = 5.77×10

[0055] Combined with Figure 4 and Figure 5 as shown, the optically controlled true delay network signal based on optical time-interleaved switching in the embodiments of the present invention ensures stability and accuracy.

[0056] Therefore, under the timing control of the control signal in the embodiments of the present invention, the time-interleaved switching of "OSDL state switching - high-speed routing switch switching" is sequentially performed, decoupling the true delay line state switching and the change in the true delay amount of the output signal in the time domain, and realizing fast true delay switching.

[0057] The optical control true time delay network based on optical time interleaving switching proposed according to an embodiment of the present invention passes the signal into a time interleaved optical true time delay line module composed of two optical switch switching optical true time delay lines cascaded in parallel with a coupler and then cascaded with a high-speed routing switch through an optoelectronic conversion module. Under the control of a timing control signal, it is output as a radio frequency domain signal by an electro-optical conversion module, realizing the decoupling of the change in signal delay amount from the switching of the optical switch switching optical true time delay line and the association with the switching of the high-speed routing switch. It solves the problems of long switching time of the optical switch switching true time delay line and large signal loss in the related art, and improves the fast switching ability of the optical switch switching true time delay line with low time delay.

[0058] Next, a control method for an optical control true time delay network based on optical time interleaving switching proposed according to an embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0059] Figure 6 FIG. is a flowchart of a control method for an optical control true time delay network based on optical time interleaving switching provided according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] As Figure 6 shown, the control method for the optical control true time delay network based on optical time interleaving switching includes the following steps:

[0061] In step S601, the radio frequency domain input signal is modulated into an optical domain input signal;

[0062] In step S602, the optical domain input signal is processed to generate a first optical path output signal and a second optical path output signal, and based on the received timing control signal, a target optical path output signal is determined from the first optical path output signal and the second optical path output signal for output, where the lengths of the first optical path output signal and the second optical path output signal are different;

[0063] In step S603, the target optical path output signal is frequency-converted to obtain a radio frequency domain output signal, and the radio frequency domain output signal is output.

[0064] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the response rate of the electro-optical modulator should be greater than the highest frequency of the bandwidth communication signal.

[0065] Further, in some embodiments, processing an optical domain input signal to generate a first optical path output signal and a second optical path output signal, and determining a target optical path output signal from the first optical path output signal and the second optical path output signal for output based on a received timing control signal includes: The coupler equally divides the optical domain input signal to obtain a first optical domain input signal and a second optical domain input signal; processing the first optical domain input signal to generate a true delay to obtain a first optical path output signal, and processing the second optical domain input signal to generate a true delay to obtain a second optical path output signal. Based on the timing control signal, a target optical path output signal is determined from the first optical path output signal and the second optical path output signal for output.

[0066] Further, in some embodiments, processing an optical domain input signal to generate a first optical path output signal and a second optical path output signal, and determining a target optical path output signal from the first optical path output signal and the second optical path output signal for output based on a received timing control signal includes: generating a timing control signal to control two parallel optical switches to switch the optical true delay line and the high-speed routing switch to perform state switching in a time-interleaved state.

[0067] Further, in some embodiments, the response rate of the electro-optic modulator should be greater than the highest frequency of the bandwidth communication signal.

[0068] Further, in some embodiments, processing an optical domain input signal to generate a first optical path output signal and a second optical path output signal with corresponding true delay amounts, and determining a target optical path output signal from the first optical path output signal and the second optical path output signal for output based on a received timing control signal includes: The coupler equally divides the optical domain input signal to obtain a first optical domain input signal and a second optical domain input signal; processing the first optical domain input signal to generate a true delay to obtain a first optical path output signal, and processing the second optical domain input signal to generate a true delay to obtain a second optical path output signal. Based on the timing control signal, a target optical path output signal is determined from the first optical path output signal and the second optical path output signal for routing output to obtain a true delay controlled optical signal.

[0069] Further, in some embodiments, processing an optical domain input signal to generate a first optical path output signal and a second optical path output signal, and determining a target optical path output signal from the first optical path output signal and the second optical path output signal for output based on a received timing control signal includes: generating a timing control signal to control two parallel optical switches to switch the optical true delay line and the high-speed routing switch to perform state switching in a time-interleaved state.

[0070] It should be noted that the above explanation of the embodiments of the optical control true delay network based on optical time-interleaved switching also applies to the control method of the optical control true delay network based on optical time-interleaved switching in this embodiment, and will not be elaborated here.

[0071] According to the control method of the optical-controlled true-time-delay network based on optical time-interleaved switching proposed by the embodiments of the present invention, the signal is transmitted into the time-interleaved optical true-time-delay line module composed of two optical switch switching optical true-time-delay lines cascaded in parallel with a coupler and then cascaded with a high-speed routing switch through the optoelectronic conversion module. Under the control of the timing control signal, it is output as a radio frequency domain signal by the electro-optical conversion module, realizing the decoupling of the change of the signal delay amount from the switching of the optical switch switching optical true-time-delay line and the association with the switching of the high-speed routing switch. It solves the problems in the related art that the switching time of the optical switch switching true-time-delay line is relatively long and the communication signal loss is large, and improves the fast switching ability of the optical switch switching true-time-delay line.

[0072] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to terms such as "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described can be combined in a suitable manner in any one or N embodiments or examples. In addition, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0073] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "N" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0074] Any process or method description shown in the flowchart or described in other ways herein can be understood as representing a module, segment, or part of code including one or more executable instructions for implementing a customized logic function or process. The scope of the preferred embodiments of the present invention includes additional implementations, where the functions can be executed in a substantially simultaneous manner or in the reverse order according to the involved functions, rather than in the order shown or discussed, which should be understood by those skilled in the art of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0075] It should be understood that each part of the present invention can be implemented by hardware, software, firmware or a combination thereof. In the above embodiments, the N steps or methods can be implemented by software or firmware stored in a memory and executed by a suitable instruction execution system. For example, if implemented by hardware, as in another embodiment, any one or a combination of the following techniques well known in the art can be used: discrete logic circuits having logic gate circuits for implementing logical functions on data signals, application specific integrated circuits having appropriate combinational logic gate circuits, programmable gate arrays (PGAs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), etc.

[0076] Those of ordinary skill in the art can understand that all or part of the steps carried by the method of the above embodiments can be completed by instructing relevant hardware through a program, and the program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. When the program is executed, it includes one or a combination of the steps of the method embodiments.

Claims

1. An optically controlled true delay network based on optical time interleaving switching, characterized in that: include: An electro-optical conversion module, used for modulating a radio frequency domain input signal into an optical domain input signal; A time-interleaved optical true delay line module is used to process the optical domain input signal to generate a first optical path output signal and a second optical path output signal with corresponding true delay amounts, and based on the received timing control signal, determine a target optical path output signal from the first optical path output signal and the second optical path output signal for output, to obtain a true delay controlled optical signal; The photoelectric conversion module is used for frequency conversion of the target optical path output signal to obtain a radio frequency domain output signal, and outputting the radio frequency domain output signal.

2. The optically controlled true delay network based on optical time interleaving switching according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The electro-optical conversion module is an electro-optical modulator, and the response rate of the electro-optical modulator should be greater than the highest frequency of the bandwidth communication signal.

3. The optically controlled true delay network based on optical time interleaving switching according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The time-interleaved optical true delay line module comprises: a coupler, two parallel optical switch true delay lines and a high-speed routing switch, wherein: The input end of the coupler is connected to the output end of the electro-optical conversion module, and is used to equally divide the optical domain input signal into a first optical domain input signal and a second optical domain input signal; The two parallel optical switch switching true delay lines are used to process the first optical domain input signal to generate a true delay to obtain the first optical path output signal, and process the second optical domain input signal to generate a true delay to obtain the second optical path output signal, wherein each optical switch switching true delay line is obtained by connecting multiple optical switches and multiple optical delay arrays in a cascade manner; The input end of the high-speed routing switch is connected to the output ends of two parallel optical switch switching optical true delay lines, and is used to determine the target optical path output signal from the first optical path output signal and the second optical path output signal based on the timing control signal for routing output to obtain a true delay controlled optical signal.

4. The optically controlled true delay network based on optical time interleaving switching according to claim 3 is characterized in that: Also includes: A control module, wherein the control module is respectively connected to the two parallel optical switches for switching the optical true delay line and the high-speed routing switch, and is used to generate the timing control signal, and control the two parallel optical switches for switching the optical true delay line and the high-speed routing switch to switch the state according to the time interleaving state.

5. The optically controlled true delay network based on optical time interleaving switching according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The photoelectric conversion module is a photoelectric detector.

6. The optically controlled true delay network based on optical time interleaving switching according to claim 3 is characterized in that: The high-speed routing switch is an electro-optical switch.

7. A method for controlling an optically controlled true delay network based on optical time interleaving switching, characterized in that: An optically controlled true delay network based on optical time interleaving switching as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 is adopted, wherein the method comprises the following steps: modulating a radio frequency domain input signal into an optical domain input signal; Processing the optical domain input signal to generate a first optical path output signal and a second optical path output signal, and based on the received timing control signal, determining a target optical path output signal from the first optical path output signal and the second optical path output signal for output, wherein the first optical path output signal and the second optical path output signal have different lengths; The target optical path output signal is frequency-converted to obtain a radio frequency domain output signal, and the radio frequency domain output signal is output.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The response rate of the electro-optic modulator should be greater than the highest frequency of the bandwidth communication signal.

9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that: Processing the optical domain input signal to generate a first optical path output signal and a second optical path output signal, and based on the received timing control signal, determining a target optical path output signal from the first optical path output signal and the second optical path output signal for output, comprising: The coupler divides the optical domain input signal into equal parts to obtain a first optical domain input signal and a second optical domain input signal; Processing the first optical domain input signal to generate a true delay to obtain the first optical path output signal, and processing the second optical domain input signal to generate a true delay to obtain the second optical path output signal; Based on the timing control signal, a target light path output signal is determined from the first light path output signal and the second light path output signal for output.

10. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The processing of the optical domain input signal to generate a first optical path output signal and a second optical path output signal, and based on the received timing control signal, determining a target optical path output signal from the first optical path output signal and the second optical path output signal for output, comprises: The timing control signal is generated to control two optical switches arranged in parallel to switch the optical true delay line and the high-speed routing switch to perform state switching according to the time interleaving state.

Images