Optical switch, electronic equipment, delay line network and communication equipment

Abstract

The invention provides an optical switch, electronic equipment, a delay line network and communication equipment. The optical switch comprises a first optical coupler, a second optical coupler, a third optical coupler, an adjusting assembly and a phase shifting assembly. The adjusting assembly is located between the first optical coupler and the second optical coupler and used for adjusting the first path of optical signals and the second path of optical signals so that a first phase difference can be generated between the first path of optical signals and the second path of optical signals. The second optical coupler is used for outputting a third optical signal and a fourth optical signal after coupling the first optical signal and the second optical signal, and a first amplitude difference exists between the third optical signal and the fourth optical signal. The phase shift assembly is used for enabling the third path of optical signal and the fourth path of optical signal to generate a second phase difference and a second amplitude difference, and the second amplitude difference is approximate to zero. By arranging the adjusting assembly, the extinction ratio of the optical switch can be improved, and an optical attenuator does not need to be arranged at the rear end of the optical switch, so that the control complexity and power consumption of the optical switch are reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of optical communication technologies, and particularly to an optical switch, an electronic device, a delay line network, and a communication device. Background Art

[0002] In a communication system, an optical switch is an important component in an optical delay unit, and the characteristics of the optical switch directly affect the performance of the optical delay unit and the communication system. According to the characteristics of optoelectronic materials, currently, the optical switches that can be used for optical delay applications are mainly divided into: thermo-optic switches based on silicon nitride (SiN) / silicon dioxide (SiO2), electro-optic switches based on lithium niobate thin film (LNOI), and electro-optic switches based on silicon photonics (SOI).

[0003] Among them, the electro-optic switch based on silicon photonics has the advantages of fast switching speed, high extinction ratio, high integration degree, etc., and has high application potential. However, for the electro-optic switch based on silicon photonics, due to the additional optical loss during the phase adjustment process, the extinction ratio is relatively poor, and an additional attenuator needs to be added at the back end, which further leads to high control complexity and high power consumption. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Embodiments of this application provide an optical switch, an electronic device, a delay line network, and a communication device to reduce the control complexity and power consumption of the optical switch.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide an optical switch. The optical switch provided by the embodiments of this application may include: a first optical coupler, a second optical coupler, a third optical coupler, an adjustment component, and a phase shift component. The phase shift component includes at least one electro-optic phase shifter. The first optical coupler is configured to couple an input optical signal and output a first optical signal and a second optical signal. The adjustment component is located between the first optical coupler and the second optical coupler and is configured to adjust the phase of at least one of the first optical signal and the second optical signal to generate a first phase difference between the first optical signal and the second optical signal. The second optical coupler is configured to couple the first optical signal and the second optical signal with the first phase difference and output a third optical signal and a fourth optical signal, and there is a first amplitude difference between the third optical signal and the fourth optical signal. The phase shift component is configured to perform a phase shift process on at least one of the third optical signal and the fourth optical signal with the first amplitude difference to generate a second phase difference and a second amplitude difference between the third optical signal and the fourth optical signal. Exemplarily, the second phase difference may be 0 or π, and the second amplitude difference is approximately zero. The third optical coupler is configured to couple the third optical signal and the fourth optical signal after the phase shift process by the phase shift component and output the coupled optical signal.

[0006] The optical switch in the embodiments of the present application may include at least one signal input terminal, and the optical switch may include two signal output terminals. During the operation of the optical switch, through the mutual cooperation of the first optical coupler, the adjustment component, the second optical coupler, the phase shift component, and the third optical coupler, the optical signal can be output only at one signal output terminal.

[0007] The optical switch provided by the embodiments of the present application may be an electro-optically tunable switch based on silicon photonics (SOI). The phase shift component includes at least one electro-optic phase shifter. When the phase shift component adjusts the phases of the third optical signal and the fourth optical signal, additional optical loss may be generated, resulting in an additional amplitude difference between the third optical signal and the fourth optical signal. In the embodiments of the present application, by providing an adjustment component at the front end of the phase shift component, under the adjustment of the adjustment component, a first phase difference is generated between the first optical signal and the second optical signal, and a first amplitude difference exists between the coupled third optical signal and the fourth optical signal. The first amplitude difference can cancel the additional amplitude difference generated during the phase shift process of the phase shift component. The absolute value difference between the first amplitude difference and the additional amplitude difference is approximately zero. Thus, the second amplitude difference between the third optical signal and the fourth optical signal after the phase shift process by the phase shift component is approximately zero, improving the extinction ratio of the optical switch. Therefore, there is no need to provide an optical attenuator at the rear end of the optical switch, thereby reducing the control complexity and power consumption of the optical switch.

[0008] The optical switch in the embodiment of the present application may include two cascaded Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) structures. The first optical coupler, the second optical coupler, and the adjustment component may form an MZI structure, which may be referred to as the first MZI structure. The second optical coupler, the third optical coupler, and the phase shift component may also form an MZI structure, which may be referred to as the second MZI structure. Among them, in the first MZI structure, the upper arm and the lower arm of the first MZI structure are respectively used to transmit the first optical signal and the second optical signal. The first MZI structure can function as an adjustable coupler. Under the action of the first optical coupler, the second optical coupler, and the adjustment component, the third optical signal and the fourth optical signal output by the first MZI structure may have a first amplitude difference. In the second MZI structure, the upper arm and the lower arm of the second MZI structure are respectively used to transmit the third optical signal and the fourth optical signal. The second MZI structure functions as an electro-optical switch. Under the action of the phase shift component, the third optical signal and the fourth optical signal may generate a second phase difference and a second amplitude difference, and the second amplitude difference is approximately zero. Thus, after the third optical signal and the fourth optical signal pass through the third optical coupler, an optical signal is output only at one signal output end of the optical switch, resulting in a high extinction ratio of the optical switch. During the operation of the optical switch, the phase shift component can switch the second phase difference between the upper arm and the lower arm between a first value and a second value. For example, the second phase difference can be switched between 0 and π, so that the output optical signal is correspondingly switched between the two signal output ends, thereby realizing the function of the optical switch.

[0009] In the embodiment of the present application, the first optical coupler, the second optical coupler, and the third optical coupler can play a role in optical power distribution, couple the input optical signal, and distribute the optical power of the optical signal in a certain proportion.

[0010] Among them, the first optical coupler may include two input ends. During the operation of the optical switch, an optical signal may be input to both signal input ends, or only to one of the two signal input ends. For example, when there is an input optical signal at one input end of the first optical coupler and no optical signal at the other input end, the first optical coupler can divide the input optical signal into two optical signals.

[0011] When specifically setting, the first optical coupler may have a first output end and a second output end. Exemplarily, the first optical coupler may be a 2×2 directional coupler. The second optical coupler may have a first input end and a second input end, and the second optical coupler may have a first output end and a second output end. Exemplarily, the second optical coupler may be a 2×2 directional coupler. The third optical coupler may have a first input end and a second input end, and the third optical coupler may have two output ends, that is, the two signal output ends of the optical switch. Exemplarily, the third optical coupler may be a 2×2 directional coupler. In another possible implementation manner, the first optical coupler may be a 2×2 multimode interference coupler, the second optical coupler may be a 2×2 multimode interference coupler, and the third optical coupler may be a 2×2 multimode interference coupler. Of course, in some cases, the first optical coupler, the second optical coupler, and the third optical coupler may also be other types of optical couplers, and the types of the first optical coupler, the second optical coupler, and the third optical coupler may be the same or different, which can be set according to actual needs. In addition, the number of input ends and output ends of the first optical coupler, the second optical coupler, and the third optical coupler can also be set according to actual needs, which is not limited here.

[0012] In a possible implementation manner, the first output end of the first optical coupler and the first input end of the second optical coupler may be connected through a first optical waveguide, and the first optical waveguide is used to transmit the first optical signal. The second output end of the first optical coupler and the second input end of the second optical coupler may be connected through a second optical waveguide, and the second optical waveguide is used to transmit the second optical signal. The adjustment component may include: a first electro-optic phase shifter and a second electro-optic phase shifter. The first electro-optic phase shifter is connected to the first optical waveguide, and the second electro-optic phase shifter is connected to the second optical waveguide. During the working process of the optical switch, drive voltages can be respectively applied to the first electro-optic phase shifter and the second electro-optic phase shifter to achieve push-pull electric drive. Thus, the voltage difference applied to the upper arm and the lower arm can be made smaller, and the difference in the optical signal loss degree in the waveguides of the upper arm and the lower arm can be reduced.

[0013] In specific settings, the first electro-optic phase shifter and the second electro-optic phase shifter can be of the same type. Exemplarily, in the embodiments of the present application, both the first electro-optic phase shifter and the second electro-optic phase shifter can be PIN-type phase shifters. Specifically, the first electro-optic phase shifter can include: a first substrate, a first insulating layer, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The first electrode, the first optical waveguide, and the second electrode are arranged in sequence in a direction parallel to the first substrate, that is, the first optical waveguide is located between the first electrode and the second electrode, and the first insulating layer is located between the first substrate and the film layer where the first electrode is located. Exemplarily, the first substrate can include silicon material, and the first insulating layer can include SiO2 material. By applying voltages to the first electrode and the second electrode, electrons can be made to move in the direction from the first electrode to the second electrode, thereby changing the refractive index of the first optical waveguide to change the phase of the first optical signal transmitted in the first optical waveguide. Similarly, the second electro-optic phase shifter can include: a first electrode and a second electrode, and the second optical waveguide is located between the first electrode and the second electrode. By applying voltages to the first electrode and the second electrode, electrons can be made to move in the direction from the first electrode to the second electrode, thereby changing the refractive index of the second optical waveguide to change the phase of the second optical signal transmitted in the second optical waveguide. By applying different voltages to the first electro-optic phase shifter and the second electro-optic phase shifter, a first phase difference can be generated between the first optical signal and the second optical signal, and a certain amplitude difference can be generated. The specific setting of the second electro-optic phase shifter can refer to the structure of the first electro-optic phase shifter, and the repeated parts will not be elaborated here. In specific implementation, the first electro-optic phase shifter and the second electro-optic phase shifter can also be of different types, which can be set according to actual needs and are not limited here.

[0014] In some other embodiments of the present application, the first electro-optic phase shifter may be a PN-type electro-optic phase shifter. The first electro-optic phase shifter may include: a second substrate, a second insulating layer, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The first electrode, the first optical waveguide, and the second electrode are arranged in sequence in a direction parallel to the second substrate, that is, the first optical waveguide is located between the first electrode and the second electrode, and the second insulating layer is located between the second substrate and the film layer where the first electrode is located. Exemplarily, the second substrate may include silicon material, and the second insulating layer may include SiO2 material. By applying voltages to the first electrode and the second electrode, electrons can be moved in the direction from the first electrode to the second electrode, thereby changing the refractive index of the first optical waveguide to change the phase of the first optical signal transmitted in the first optical waveguide. Similarly, the second electro-optic phase shifter may also be a PN-type electro-optic phase shifter, the third electro-optic phase shifter may also be a PN-type electro-optic phase shifter, and the fourth electro-optic phase shifter may also be a PN-type electro-optic phase shifter. The specific settings of the second electro-optic phase shifter, the third electro-optic phase shifter, and the fourth electro-optic phase shifter may refer to the structure of the first electro-optic phase shifter, and the repeated parts will not be elaborated here. When specifically setting, the type of the phase shifter in the adjustment component may be the same as or different from the type of the phase shifter in the phase shift component, which can be set according to actual needs.

[0015] In the embodiments of the present application, taking the adjustment component including two phase shifters respectively arranged on the upper arm and the lower arm as an example, when specifically setting, the phase shifter in the adjustment component may also be only arranged on the upper arm or the lower arm. Moreover, in the embodiments of the present application, taking the adjustment component including an electro-optic phase shifter as an example, when specifically setting, other types of phase shifters other than the electro-optic phase shifter may also be arranged in the adjustment component.

[0016] In a possible implementation manner, the first output end of the second optical coupler is connected to the first input end of the third optical coupler through a third optical waveguide, and the third optical waveguide is used to transmit a third optical signal. The second output end of the second optical coupler is connected to the second input end of the third optical coupler through a fourth optical waveguide, and the fourth optical waveguide is used to transmit a fourth optical signal. The phase shift component may include: a third electro-optic phase shifter and a fourth electro-optic phase shifter. The third electro-optic phase shifter is connected to the third optical waveguide, and the fourth electro-optic phase shifter is connected to the fourth optical waveguide. During the working process of the optical switch, drive voltages can be respectively applied to the third electro-optic phase shifter and the fourth electro-optic phase shifter to achieve push-pull electric drive. Thus, the voltage difference applied to the upper arm and the lower arm can be made smaller, and the difference in the optical signal loss degree in the waveguides of the upper arm and the lower arm can be reduced.

[0017] Specifically, the third electro-optic phase shifter may include: a first electrode and a second electrode. The third optical waveguide is located between the first electrode and the second electrode. By applying a voltage to the first electrode and the second electrode, electrons can be made to move in the direction from the first electrode to the second electrode, thereby changing the refractive index of the third optical waveguide to change the phase of the third optical signal transmitted in the third optical waveguide. The fourth electro-optic phase shifter may include: a first electrode and a second electrode. The fourth optical waveguide is located between the first electrode and the second electrode. By applying a voltage to the first electrode and the second electrode, electrons can be made to move in the direction from the first electrode to the second electrode, thereby changing the refractive index of the fourth optical waveguide to change the phase of the fourth optical signal transmitted in the fourth optical waveguide. During the operation of the optical switch, by applying different voltages to the third electro-optic phase shifter and the fourth electro-optic phase shifter, a second phase difference can be generated between the third optical signal and the fourth optical signal.

[0018] When specifically setting, the third electro-optic phase shifter and the fourth electro-optic phase shifter may be of the same type of phase shifter. Exemplarily, the third electro-optic phase shifter and the fourth electro-optic phase shifter in the embodiments of the present application may both be PIN type phase shifters. The specific setting of the third electro-optic phase shifter and the fourth electro-optic phase shifter may refer to the structure of the first electro-optic phase shifter, and the repeated parts will not be elaborated. Of course, in some cases, the third electro-optic phase shifter and the fourth electro-optic phase shifter may also be of different types of phase shifters, which can be set according to actual needs and are not limited here.

[0019] In the embodiments of the present application, taking the phase shift component including two electro-optic phase shifters respectively arranged on the upper arm and the lower arm as an example, when specifically setting, the electro-optic phase shifter in the phase shift component may also be only arranged on the upper arm or the lower arm.

[0020] In some embodiments of the present application, the optical switch in the embodiments of the present application may further include: a signal controller. The signal controller is electrically connected to the first electro-optic phase shifter and the second electro-optic phase shifter, and is used to provide a first electrical signal to the first electro-optic phase shifter and the second electro-optic phase shifter. The signal controller is electrically connected to the third electro-optic phase shifter and the fourth electro-optic phase shifter, and is used to provide a second electrical signal to the third electro-optic phase shifter and the fourth electro-optic phase shifter. By the signal controller respectively providing electrical signals to the electro-optic phase shifters in the adjustment component and the phase shift component, the number of control signals during the operation of the optical switch can be reduced, effectively reducing the control complexity of the optical switch. During specific implementation, the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal provided by the signal controller may be provided by an external analog level.

[0021] In a possible implementation, the voltages of the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal may be the same, that is, the signal controller may use the same analog level to provide the first signal and the second signal. By optimizing the length ratio of the electro-optic phase shifters in the adjustment component and the phase shift component, the difference between the first amplitude difference and the absolute value of the additional amplitude difference is approximately zero when the levels of the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal are equal, thereby reducing the number of control signals and further simplifying the control complexity. Moreover, the positive and negative directions of the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal may respectively correspond to different signal output ports of the optical switch. During the control process, the signal output ports of the optical switch can be switched by switching the positive and negative directions of the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal. Of course, the voltages of the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal may also be different, and can be adjusted according to the specific structures of the adjustment component and the phase shift component, which is not limited here.

[0022] When specifically setting, the first electrode of the first electro-optic phase shifter is electrically connected to the second electrode of the second electro-optic phase shifter, and the second electrode of the first electro-optic phase shifter is electrically connected to the first electrode of the second electro-optic phase shifter. Setting the first electro-optic phase shifter and the second electro-optic phase shifter to be interconnected can facilitate the signal controller to provide the first electrical signal to the first electro-optic phase shifter and the second electro-optic phase shifter, reducing the control complexity of the optical switch. The first electrode of the third electro-optic phase shifter is electrically connected to the second electrode of the fourth electro-optic phase shifter, and the second electrode of the third electro-optic phase shifter is electrically connected to the first electrode of the fourth electro-optic phase shifter. Setting the third electro-optic phase shifter and the fourth electro-optic phase shifter to be interconnected can facilitate the signal controller to provide the second electrical signal to the third electro-optic phase shifter and the fourth electro-optic phase shifter, reducing the control complexity of the optical switch.

[0023] In a possible implementation, the length of the first electrode in the first electro-optic phase shifter is less than the length of the first electrode in the third electro-optic phase shifter, and the length of the second electrode in the first electro-optic phase shifter is less than the length of the second electrode in the third electro-optic phase shifter. In the embodiments of the present application, the electro-optic switch function can be realized through the electro-optic phase shifters in the phase shift component. During the operation of the optical switch, the electro-optic switch in the phase shift component will generate additional optical loss, causing an additional amplitude difference between the third optical signal and the fourth optical signal. The electro-optic switch in the adjustment component mainly functions to compensate for the additional amplitude difference. Therefore, the electrode length of the electro-optic phase shifter in the adjustment component can be set to be less than the electrode length of the electro-optic phase shifter in the phase shift component, as long as it can enable the adjustment component to compensate for the additional amplitude difference.

[0024] In specific settings, the lengths of the first electrode and the second electrode in the first electro-optic phase shifter can be approximately equal, the lengths of the first electrode and the second electrode in the second electro-optic phase shifter can be approximately equal, and the length of the first electrode in the first electro-optic phase shifter is approximately equal to the length of the first electrode in the second electro-optic phase shifter. The lengths of the first electrode and the second electrode in the third electro-optic phase shifter can be approximately equal, the lengths of the first electrode and the second electrode in the fourth electro-optic phase shifter can be approximately equal, and the length of the first electrode in the third electro-optic phase shifter is approximately equal to the length of the first electrode in the fourth electro-optic phase shifter.

[0025] In an embodiment of the present application, the adjustment component may further include: a first phase shifter connected to the first optical waveguide, configured to adjust the first optical signal path so that there is a first initial phase difference between the first optical signal path and the second optical signal path. Exemplarily, the first initial phase difference may be ±π / 2. In this way, by adjusting the upper arm and the lower arm to have the first initial phase difference through the first phase shifter, the adjustment range of the first electro-optic phase shifter and the second electro-optic phase shifter on the upper arm and the lower arm can be reduced, the adjustment process of the first electro-optic phase shifter and the second electro-optic phase shifter can be simplified, and the control complexity of the optical switch can be reduced.

[0026] Similarly, the phase shift component may further include: a second phase shifter connected to the third optical waveguide, configured to adjust the third optical signal path so that there is a second initial phase difference between the third optical signal path and the fourth optical signal path. Exemplarily, the second initial phase difference may be ±π / 2. In this way, by adjusting the upper arm and the lower arm to have the second initial phase difference through the second phase shifter, the adjustment range of the third electro-optic phase shifter and the fourth electro-optic phase shifter on the upper arm and the lower arm can be reduced, the adjustment process of the third electro-optic phase shifter and the fourth electro-optic phase shifter can be simplified, and the control complexity of the optical switch can be reduced.

[0027] For example, during the process of push-pull electric drive of the third electro-optic phase shifter and the fourth electro-optic phase shifter, the phase difference between the third optical signal path and the fourth optical signal path can be switched between -π / 2 and π / 2. Coupled with the fixed phase shift of π / 2 obtained by adjusting the second phase shifter, the total phase difference (i.e., the second phase difference) between the upper arm and the lower arm of the second MZI structure can be switched between 0 and π, so that the output optical signal is correspondingly switched between the two signal output terminals, thereby realizing the function of the optical switch.

[0028] In specific settings, the first phase shifter can be a thermal tuning phase shifter or a fixed phase shifter. In this way, the first phase shifter will not cause additional optical loss to the first optical waveguide. Similarly, the second phase shifter can be a thermal tuning phase shifter or a fixed phase shifter. In this way, the second phase shifter will not cause additional optical loss to the third optical waveguide.

[0029] Second aspect, embodiments of the present application further provide an electronic device. The electronic device in the embodiments of the present application can be a waveguide chip, a photoelectric detection chip, etc. The electronic device in the embodiments of the present application can include: any one of the optical switches in the first aspect above, and a power supply module for supplying power to the optical switch. Since the optical switch in the embodiments of the present application has a high extinction ratio, there is no need to set an optical attenuator at the rear end of the optical switch, and the control complexity and power consumption of the optical switch are low. Therefore, the control complexity and power consumption of the electronic device including any one of the above optical switches are also low. In some embodiments of the present application, the electronic device in the embodiments of the present application can include multiple optical switches, and the multiple optical switches can form an optical switch network. For example, taking the optical switch network as a two-dimensional structure as an example, when specifically setting, the connection relationship of each optical switch can be set according to actual needs. Since the optical switch in the embodiments of the present application has a high extinction ratio, the performance of the optical switching network can be improved while ensuring the switching speed of the optical switch.

[0030] Third aspect, embodiments of the present application further provide a delay line network. The delay line network provided by the embodiments of the present application can include: a delay waveguide and any one of the optical switches in the first aspect above, and the delay waveguide is connected to the optical switch. When specifically setting, the number of optical switches and delay waveguides in the delay line network can be set according to actual needs. Since the extinction ratio of the optical switch in the embodiments of the present application is high, it will not cause path crosstalk of optical signals, and the network performance of the optical delay network can be improved.

[0031] Fourth aspect, embodiments of the present application further provide a communication device. The communication device in the embodiments of the present application can include: any one of the delay line networks in the third aspect above, and a power supply module for supplying power to the delay line network. The communication device provided by the embodiments of the present application can be a building baseband unit (BBU). The baseband unit can centrally manage the entire base station system and has the functions of processing uplink and downlink data, signaling processing, resource management, and operation and maintenance. The baseband unit in the embodiments of the present application can support the remote control of radio frequency phase shift. Alternatively, the communication device provided by the embodiments of the present application can also be an active antenna unit (AAU). The active antenna unit is mainly responsible for part of the physical layer baseband function and all radio frequency functions. The active antenna unit in the embodiments of the present application can complete the beam control function among them. The optical switch in the embodiments of the present application can be specifically set in the optical control radio frequency phased array chip (or device) in the active antenna unit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the optical switch provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0033] Figure 2 isFigure 1 Schematic cross-sectional view at the dashed line L1;

[0034] Figure 3 Schematic structural view of the optical switch provided by the embodiment of the present application;

[0035] Figure 4 is Figure 3 Schematic cross-sectional view at the dashed line L2;

[0036] Figure 5 Schematic comparison diagram of the output curves of the optical switches in the embodiment of the present application and the comparative example;

[0037] Figure 6 Schematic structural view of the optical switch network in the embodiment of the present application;

[0038] Figure 7 Schematic structural view of the delay line network provided by the embodiment of the present application.

[0039] Reference numerals:

[0040] 100 - optical switch; 11 - first optical coupler; 111, 123 - first output ends; 112, 124 - second output ends; 12 - second optical coupler; 121, 131 - first input ends; 122, 132 - second input ends; 13 - third optical coupler; 14 - adjustment component; 141 - first electro-optic phase shifter; 142 - second electro-optic phase shifter; 143 - first phase shifter; 15 - phase shift component; 151 - third electro-optic phase shifter; 152 - fourth electro-optic phase shifter; 153 - second phase shifter; 161 - first optical waveguide; 162 - second optical waveguide; 163 - third optical waveguide; 164 - fourth optical waveguide; 17 - signal controller; 200 - delay waveguide; 201 - first substrate; 202 - first insulating layer; 301 - second substrate; 302 - second insulating layer; a1, a2 - input optical signals; b1 - first path optical signal; b2 - second path optical signal; b3 - third path optical signal; b4 - fourth path optical signal; Ein1, Ein2 - signal input ends; Eout1, Eout2 - signal output ends; Q1 - first electrode; Q2 - second electrode. Detailed implementation manners

[0041] Phased array antennas have the advantages of high gain, beam agility, multi-beam, high reliability, light weight, etc., and are widely used in radar and wireless communication systems. Specifically, phased array systems can generally be divided into electrical domain and optical domain beamforming from the implementation methods. Compared with traditional electrical domain beamforming, optical beamforming can make full use of the significant advantages of light, such as large bandwidth, low crosstalk, high isolation, and low transmission loss. It is an effective means to realize broadband non-tilt, remote, and fully connected phased array systems, and is also one of the current frontiers of research in the communication field.

[0042] The optical delay unit is the core unit of optical beamforming. Facing the core requirements of the next-generation wireless communication system, the system also puts forward requirements for the optical delay unit such as chip integration, fast switching, high isolation and low crosstalk, simple control, and low power consumption. Currently, the main implementation methods of the optical delay unit include schemes based on micro-ring continuous adjustment, grating dispersion, and optical switch switching. Among them, based on the micro-ring, continuous adjustment of the delay can be achieved, and the chip integration degree is high. However, limited by the micro-ring structure, this scheme is sensitive to temperature and wavelength, and both the delay amount and bandwidth are small. Secondly, based on grating dispersion, continuous adjustment of the delay can also be achieved, and the integration degree is high. However, limited by the grating structure, the loss is large and the process accuracy requirement is high. Finally, based on optical switch switching, discrete delay adjustment can be achieved, with a simple structure, large delay and large bandwidth, and it is insensitive to temperature and wavelength. Generally speaking, the three methods have their own characteristics. Among them, the scheme based on optical switch switching has more application potential and can meet the system requirements of large delay and large bandwidth.

[0043] The characteristics of the optical switch directly affect the performance of the optical delay unit and the communication system. According to the characteristics of optoelectronic materials, the optical switches currently available for optical delay applications are mainly divided into: thermo-optic switches based on silicon nitride (SiN) / silicon dioxide (SiO2), electro-optic switches based on lithium niobate thin film (LNOI), and electro-optic switches based on silicon photonics (SOI). Among them, the thermo-optic switch has the advantages of high integration, high extinction ratio, and simple control, but also has the disadvantages of slow switching speed and large power consumption. The electro-optic switch based on lithium niobate thin film has the advantages of fast switching speed, high extinction ratio, and low power consumption, but also has the disadvantages of low integration and complex control. The electro-optic switch based on silicon photonics has the advantages of fast switching speed, high extinction ratio, and high integration. In summary, the electro-optic switch based on silicon photonics has more application potential.

[0044] However, for the electro-optic switch based on silicon photonics, the phase difference between the upper arm and the lower arm is adjusted by applying voltages to the waveguides of the upper arm and the lower arm respectively. When a voltage is applied to the waveguide, the transmission directions of electrons and light in the waveguide are different. The transmission direction of light is basically the same as the extension direction of the waveguide, while the transmission direction of electrons is approximately perpendicular to the extension direction of the waveguide, that is, the transmission direction of electrons intersects with the transmission direction of light. The movement of electrons will change the refractive index of the waveguide, thereby changing the phase of the light in the waveguide. However, the movement of electrons will also absorb the photons transmitted in the waveguide, resulting in additional optical loss of the optical signal in the waveguide. During the operation of the optical switch, in order to generate a phase difference between the upper arm and the lower arm, different voltages will be applied to the upper arm and the lower arm, which will cause different degrees of loss of the optical signals in the waveguides of the upper arm and the lower arm, resulting in a large power difference between the upper arm and the lower arm, and further resulting in a poor extinction ratio of the optical switch. This requires an additional optical attenuator at the rear end of the optical switch to improve the extinction ratio, thus resulting in higher control complexity and power consumption of the optical switch.

[0045] Based on this, in order to reduce the control complexity and power consumption of the optical switch, the embodiments of the present application provide an optical switch, an electronic device, a delay line network, and a communication device. The optical switch provided by the embodiments of the present application can be applied in the field of optical beamforming control, and specifically can be applied to a phased array antenna system for wireless communication; or, the optical switch provided by the embodiments of the present application can also be applied in the field of multi-beam detection, and specifically can be applied to a radar or electronic warfare that uses a phased array for communication and detection. The communication device provided by the embodiments of the present application can be a building baseband unit (BBU). The baseband unit can centrally manage the entire base station system and has the functions of processing uplink and downlink data, signaling processing, resource management, and operation and maintenance. The baseband unit in the embodiments of the present application can support the remote control of radio frequency phase shift. Or, the communication device provided by the embodiments of the present application can also be an active antenna unit (AAU). The active antenna unit is mainly responsible for part of the physical layer baseband function and all radio frequency functions. The active antenna unit in the embodiments of the present application can complete the beam control function, and the optical switch in the embodiments of the present application can be specifically arranged in an optically controlled radio frequency phased array chip (or device) in the active antenna unit. In addition, the optical switch provided by the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to electronic devices such as waveguide chips and optoelectronic detection chips.

[0046] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present application clearer, the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0047] It should be noted that the same reference numerals in the drawings of the present application represent the same or similar structures, and thus the repeated description thereof will be omitted. The words expressing positions and directions described in the present application are illustrative with reference to the drawings, but can be changed as needed, and all changes are included in the protection scope of the present application. The drawings of the present application are only used to illustrate the relative position relationship and do not represent the true scale.

[0048] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that the orientation or position relationship indicated by the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus cannot be understood as a limitation to the present application. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0049] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the optical switch provided by the embodiments of the present application, as Figure 1As shown in the figure, the optical switch provided by the embodiment of the present application may include: a first optical coupler 11, a second optical coupler 12, a third optical coupler 13, an adjustment component 14, and a phase shift component 15. The phase shift component 15 includes at least one electro-optic phase shifter. The first optical coupler 11 is used to couple the input optical signal (such as Figure 1 the optical signals a1 and a2 in it), and then output a first optical signal b1 and a second optical signal b2. The adjustment component 14 is located between the first optical coupler 11 and the second optical coupler 12, and is used to adjust the phase of at least one of the first optical signal b1 and the second optical signal b2, so as to generate a first phase difference between the first optical signal b1 and the second optical signal b2 The second optical coupler 12 is used to couple the first optical signal b1 and the second optical signal b2 with the first phase difference and then output a third optical signal b3 and a fourth optical signal b4. There is a first amplitude difference △T1 between the third optical signal b3 and the fourth optical signal b4. The phase shift component 15 is used to perform a phase shift process on at least one of the third optical signal b3 and the fourth optical signal b4 with the first amplitude difference △T1, so as to generate a second phase difference and a second amplitude difference △T2. Exemplarily, the second phase difference can be 0 or pi, and the second amplitude difference △T2 is approximately zero. The third optical coupler 13 is used to couple the third optical signal b3 and the fourth optical signal b4 after the phase shift process of the phase shift component 15, and output the coupled optical signal (such as Figure 1 the optical signal c1 or c2 in it).

[0050] The optical switch in the embodiment of the present application may include at least one signal input end. For example, Figure 1 in the case where the optical switch includes two signal input ends Ein1 and Ein2 is taken as an example for illustration. In specific settings, the optical switch may also include one or more signal input ends. The optical switch may include two signal output ends Eout1 and Eout2. During the working process of the optical switch, through the mutual cooperation of the first optical coupler 11, the adjustment component 14, the second optical coupler 12, the phase shift component 15 and the third optical coupler 13, the optical signal can be output from the signal output end Eout1 or the signal output end Eout2.

[0051] The optical switch provided by the embodiment of the present application may be an electrically tunable optical switch based on silicon photonics (SOI). The phase shift component 15 includes at least one electro-optic phase shifter. When the phase shift component 15 adjusts the phase of the third optical signal b3 and the fourth optical signal b4, additional optical loss may be generated, resulting in an additional amplitude difference △T between the third optical signal b3 and the fourth optical signal b4 eIn the embodiments of the present application, by providing an adjustment component 14 at the front end of the phase shift component 15, under the adjustment of the adjustment component 14, a first phase difference is generated between the first optical signal b1 and the second optical signal b2. And there is a first amplitude difference ΔT1 between the third optical signal b3 and the fourth optical signal b4 obtained by coupling, and the first amplitude difference ΔT1 can cancel the additional amplitude difference ΔT generated during the phase shift process of the phase shift component 15. e , the absolute value difference between the first amplitude difference ΔT1 and the additional amplitude difference ΔT e is approximately zero. Thus, the second amplitude difference ΔT2 between the third optical signal b3 and the fourth optical signal b4 after the phase shift process by the phase shift component 15 is approximately zero, improving the extinction ratio of the optical switch. Therefore, there is no need to provide an optical attenuator at the rear end of the optical switch, thereby reducing the control complexity and power consumption of the optical switch.

[0052] The optical switch in the embodiments of the present application may include two cascaded Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) structures. The first optical coupler 11, the second optical coupler 12, and the adjustment component 14 may form an MZI structure, which may be referred to as the first MZI structure. The second optical coupler 12, the third optical coupler 13, and the phase shift component 15 may also form an MZI structure, which may be referred to as the second MZI structure. Among them, in the first MZI structure, the upper arm and the lower arm of the first MZI structure are respectively used to transmit the first optical signal b1 and the second optical signal b2. The first MZI structure can function as an adjustable coupler. Under the action of the first optical coupler 11, the second optical coupler 12, and the adjustment component 14, the third optical signal b3 and the fourth optical signal b4 output by the first MZI structure may have a first amplitude difference ΔT1. In the second MZI structure, the upper arm and the lower arm of the second MZI structure are respectively used to transmit the third optical signal b3 and the fourth optical signal b4. The second MZI structure functions as an electro-optical switch. Under the action of the phase shift component 15, a second phase difference and a second amplitude difference ΔT2 can be generated between the third optical signal b3 and the fourth optical signal b4. The second amplitude difference ΔT2 is approximately zero. Thus, after the third optical signal b3 and the fourth optical signal b4 pass through the third optical coupler 13, an optical signal is output only at one signal output end (i.e., Eout1 or Eout2) of the optical switch, making the extinction ratio of the optical switch relatively high. During the operation of the optical switch, the phase shift component 15 can switch the second phase difference between a first value and a second value. For example, the second phase difference can be switched between 0 and pi, so that the output optical signal is correspondingly switched between the two signal output ends Eout1 and Eout2, thereby realizing the function of the optical switch.

[0053] In the embodiments of the present application, the first optical coupler 11, the second optical coupler 12, and the third optical coupler 13 can play the role of optical power distribution, can couple the input optical signal, and distribute the optical power of the optical signal in a certain proportion.

[0054] Among them, the first optical coupler 11 can include two input ends, that is, the two signal input ends Ein1 and Ein2 of the optical switch. During the operation of the optical switch, an optical signal can be input to both signal input ends Ein1 and Ein2, or an optical signal can be input to only one of the two signal input ends Ein1 and Ein2. For example, when there is an input optical signal at one input end of the first optical coupler 11 and no optical signal at the other input end, the first optical coupler 11 can divide the input optical signal into two optical signals.

[0055] When specifically arranged, the first optical coupler 11 can have a first output end 111 and a second output end 112. Exemplarily, the first optical coupler 11 can be a 2×2 directional coupler. The second optical coupler 12 can have a first input end 121 and a second input end 122. The second optical coupler 12 can have a first output end 123 and a second output end 124. Exemplarily, the second optical coupler 12 can be a 2×2 directional coupler. The third optical coupler 13 can have a first input end 131 and a second input end 132. The third optical coupler 13 can have two output ends, that is, the two signal output ends Eout1 and Eout2 of the optical switch. Exemplarily, the third optical coupler 13 can be a 2×2 directional coupler. Of course, in some cases, the first optical coupler 11, the second optical coupler 12, and the third optical coupler 13 can also be other types of optical couplers. Moreover, the types of the first optical coupler 11, the second optical coupler 12, and the third optical coupler 13 can be the same or different, and can be set according to actual needs. In addition, the number of input ends and output ends of the first optical coupler 11, the second optical coupler 12, and the third optical coupler 13 can also be set according to actual needs, and are not limited herein.

[0056] In a possible implementation, the first output terminal 111 of the first optical coupler 11 and the first input terminal 121 of the second optical coupler 12 can be connected through a first optical waveguide 161, and the first optical waveguide 161 is used to transmit the first optical signal b1. The second output terminal 112 of the first optical coupler 11 and the second input terminal 122 of the second optical coupler 12 can be connected through a second optical waveguide 162, and the second optical waveguide 162 is used to transmit the second optical signal b2. The adjustment component 14 can include: a first electro-optic phase shifter 141 and a second electro-optic phase shifter 142. The first electro-optic phase shifter 141 is connected to the first optical waveguide 161, and the second electro-optic phase shifter 142 is connected to the second optical waveguide 162. During the operation of the optical switch, drive voltages can be applied to the first electro-optic phase shifter 141 and the second electro-optic phase shifter 142 respectively to achieve push-pull electric drive. Thus, the voltage difference applied to the upper arm and the lower arm can be made smaller, and the difference in the optical signal loss degree in the waveguides of the upper arm and the lower arm can be reduced.

[0057] When specifically arranged, the first electro-optic phase shifter 141 and the second electro-optic phase shifter 142 can be phase shifters of the same type. Exemplarily, the first electro-optic phase shifter 141 and the second electro-optic phase shifter 142 in the embodiments of the present application can both be PIN-type phase shifters. Figure 2 For Figure 1 the cross-sectional schematic diagram at the dashed line L1 in, in combination with Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the first electro-optic phase shifter 141 can include: a first substrate 201, a first insulating layer 202, a first electrode Q1, and a second electrode Q2. The first electrode Q1, the first optical waveguide 161, and the second electrode Q2 are arranged in sequence in a direction parallel to the first substrate 201, that is, the first optical waveguide 161 is located between the first electrode Q1 and the second electrode Q2, and the first insulating layer 202 is located between the first substrate 201 and the film layer where the first electrode Q1 is located. Exemplarily, the first substrate 201 can include silicon material, and the first insulating layer 202 can include SiO2 material. By applying voltages to the first electrode Q1 and the second electrode Q2, electrons can be made to move in the direction from the first electrode Q1 to the second electrode Q2, thereby changing the refractive index of the first optical waveguide 161 to change the phase of the first optical signal b1 transmitted in the first optical waveguide 161. Similarly, the second electro-optic phase shifter 142 can include: a first electrode Q1 and a second electrode Q2, the second optical waveguide 162 is located between the first electrode Q1 and the second electrode Q2. By applying voltages to the first electrode Q1 and the second electrode Q2, electrons can be made to move in the direction from the first electrode Q1 to the second electrode Q2, thereby changing the refractive index of the second optical waveguide 162 to change the phase of the second optical signal b2 transmitted in the second optical waveguide 162. By applying different voltages to the first electro-optic phase shifter 141 and the second electro-optic phase shifter 142, a first phase difference can be generated between the first optical signal b1 and the second optical signal b2 And a certain amplitude difference is generated. For the specific setting of the second electro-optical phase shifter 142, reference can be made to the structure of the first electro-optical phase shifter 141, and the repeated parts will not be elaborated here. In specific implementation, the first electro-optical phase shifter 141 and the second electro-optical phase shifter 142 can also be different types of phase shifters, which can be set according to actual needs and are not limited here.

[0058] In the embodiment of the present application, taking the adjustment component 14 including two phase shifters respectively arranged on the upper arm and the lower arm as an example, in specific setting, the phase shifters in the adjustment component 14 can also be arranged only on the upper arm or the lower arm. Moreover, in the embodiment of the present application, taking the adjustment component 14 including electro-optical phase shifters as an example, in specific setting, other types of phase shifters other than electro-optical phase shifters can also be arranged in the adjustment component 14.

[0059] In a possible implementation manner, as Figure 1 shown, the first output end 123 of the second optical coupler 12 is connected to the first input end 131 of the third optical coupler 13 through the third optical waveguide 163, and the third optical waveguide 163 is used for transmitting the third optical signal b3. The second output end 124 of the second optical coupler 12 is connected to the second input end 132 of the third optical coupler 13 through the fourth optical waveguide 164, and the fourth optical waveguide 164 is used for transmitting the fourth optical signal b4. The phase shift component 15 can include: a third electro-optical phase shifter 151 and a fourth electro-optical phase shifter 152. The third electro-optical phase shifter 151 is connected to the third optical waveguide 163, and the fourth electro-optical phase shifter 152 is connected to the fourth optical waveguide 164. During the working process of the optical switch, drive voltages can be respectively applied to the third electro-optical phase shifter 151 and the fourth electro-optical phase shifter 152 to achieve push-pull electric drive. Thus, the voltage difference applied to the upper arm and the lower arm can be made smaller, and the difference in the optical signal loss degree in the waveguides of the upper arm and the lower arm can be reduced.

[0060] Specifically, the third electro-optic phase shifter 151 may include: a first electrode Q1 and a second electrode Q2. The third optical waveguide 163 is located between the first electrode Q1 and the second electrode Q2. By applying a voltage to the first electrode Q1 and the second electrode Q2, electrons can be moved in the direction from the first electrode Q1 to the second electrode Q2, thereby changing the refractive index of the third optical waveguide 163 to change the phase of the third optical signal b3 transmitted in the third optical waveguide 163. The fourth electro-optic phase shifter 152 may include: a first electrode Q1 and a second electrode Q2. The fourth optical waveguide 164 is located between the first electrode Q1 and the second electrode Q2. By applying a voltage to the first electrode Q1 and the second electrode Q2, electrons can be moved in the direction from the first electrode Q1 to the second electrode Q2, thereby changing the refractive index of the fourth optical waveguide 164 to change the phase of the fourth optical signal b4 transmitted in the fourth optical waveguide 164. During the operation of the optical switch, by applying different voltages to the third electro-optic phase shifter 151 and the fourth electro-optic phase shifter 152, a second phase difference can be generated between the third optical signal b3 and the fourth optical signal b4.

[0061] When specifically arranged, the third electro-optic phase shifter 151 and the fourth electro-optic phase shifter 152 may be of the same type of phase shifter. Exemplarily, the third electro-optic phase shifter 151 and the fourth electro-optic phase shifter 152 in the embodiments of the present application may both be PIN-type phase shifters. The specific arrangement of the third electro-optic phase shifter 151 and the fourth electro-optic phase shifter 152 may refer to the structure of the first electro-optic phase shifter 141, and the repeated parts will not be described again. Of course, in some cases, the third electro-optic phase shifter 151 and the fourth electro-optic phase shifter 152 may also be of different types of phase shifters, which can be arranged according to actual needs and are not limited herein.

[0062] In the embodiments of the present application, taking the phase shift component 15 including two electro-optic phase shifters respectively arranged on the upper arm and the lower arm as an example, when specifically arranged, the electro-optic phase shifter in the phase shift component 15 may also be arranged only on the upper arm or the lower arm.

[0063] In some embodiments of the present application, such as Figure 1As shown, the optical switch in the embodiment of the present application may also include: a signal controller 17. The signal controller 17 is electrically connected to the first electro-optical phase shifter 141 and the second electro-optical phase shifter 142, and is used to provide a first electrical signal to the first electro-optical phase shifter 141 and the second electro-optical phase shifter 142. The signal controller 17 is electrically connected to the third electro-optical phase shifter 151 and the fourth electro-optical phase shifter 152, and is used to provide a second electrical signal to the third electro-optical phase shifter 151 and the fourth electro-optical phase shifter 152. By providing electrical signals to the electro-optical phase shifters in the adjustment component 14 and the phase shift component 15, respectively, the number of control signals during the operation of the optical switch can be reduced, effectively reducing the control complexity of the optical switch. In a specific implementation, the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal provided by the signal controller 17 can be provided by an external analog level.

[0064] In a possible implementation, the voltage of the first electrical signal and the voltage of the second electrical signal may be the same, that is, the signal controller 17 may use the same analog level to provide the first signal and the second signal, and by optimizing the length ratio of the electro-optical phase shifter in the adjustment component 14 and the phase shift component 15, the levels of the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal are equal to each other, so that the first amplitude difference △T1 and the additional amplitude difference △T e The difference in absolute value is approximately zero, thereby reducing the number of control signals and further simplifying the control complexity. In addition, the positive and negative directions of the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal can correspond to different signal output ports E of the optical switch, respectively. out1 or E out2 In the control process, the signal output port of the optical switch can be switched by switching the positive and negative directions of the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal. Of course, the voltages of the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal can also be different, and can be adjusted according to the specific structures of the adjustment component 14 and the phase shift component 15, which is not limited here.

[0065] When setting up the specific Figure 1, the first electrode Q1 of the first electro-optic phase shifter 141 is electrically connected to the second electrode Q2 of the second electro-optic phase shifter 142, and the second electrode Q2 of the first electro-optic phase shifter 141 is electrically connected to the first electrode Q1 of the second electro-optic phase shifter 142. By setting the first electro-optic phase shifter 141 and the second electro-optic phase shifter 142 to be interconnected, the signal controller 17 can easily provide the first electrical signal to the first electro-optic phase shifter 141 and the second electro-optic phase shifter 142, reducing the control complexity of the optical switch. The first electrode Q1 of the third electro-optic phase shifter 151 is electrically connected to the second electrode Q2 of the fourth electro-optic phase shifter 152, and the second electrode Q2 of the third electro-optic phase shifter 151 is electrically connected to the first electrode Q1 of the fourth electro-optic phase shifter 152. By setting the third electro-optic phase shifter 151 and the fourth electro-optic phase shifter 152 to be interconnected, the signal controller 17 can easily provide the second electrical signal to the third electro-optic phase shifter 151 and the fourth electro-optic phase shifter 152, reducing the control complexity of the optical switch.

[0066] In a possible implementation, the length of the first electrode Q1 in the first electro-optic phase shifter 141 is less than the length of the first electrode Q1 in the third electro-optic phase shifter 151, and the length of the second electrode Q2 in the first electro-optic phase shifter 141 is less than the length of the second electrode Q2 in the third electro-optic phase shifter 151. In the embodiments of the present application, through the electro-optic phase shifters in the phase shift assembly 15, the electro-optic switch function can be realized. During the operation of the optical switch, the electro-optic switch in the phase shift assembly 15 will generate additional optical loss, causing an additional amplitude difference △T between the third optical signal b3 and the fourth optical signal b4. e . The electro-optic switch in the adjustment assembly 14 mainly functions to compensate for the additional amplitude difference △T. e Therefore, the electrode lengths of the electro-optic phase shifters in the adjustment assembly 14 can be set to be less than the electrode lengths of the electro-optic phase shifters in the phase shift assembly 15, as long as the adjustment assembly 14 can function to compensate for the additional amplitude difference △T. e That's all.

[0067] In specific settings, the lengths of the first electrode Q1 and the second electrode Q2 in the first electro-optic phase shifter 141 can be approximately equal, the lengths of the first electrode Q1 and the second electrode Q2 in the second electro-optic phase shifter 142 can be approximately equal, and the length of the first electrode Q1 in the first electro-optic phase shifter 141 is approximately equal to the length of the first electrode Q1 in the second electro-optic phase shifter 142. The lengths of the first electrode Q1 and the second electrode Q2 in the third electro-optic phase shifter 151 can be approximately equal, the lengths of the first electrode Q1 and the second electrode Q2 in the fourth electro-optic phase shifter 152 can be approximately equal, and the length of the first electrode Q1 in the third electro-optic phase shifter 151 is approximately equal to the length of the first electrode Q1 in the fourth electro-optic phase shifter 152.

[0068] In the embodiments of the present application, such as Figure 1As shown, the adjustment component 14 may further include: a first phase shifter 143, which is connected to the first optical waveguide 161 and is used to adjust the first optical signal b1 so that there is a first initial phase difference between the first optical signal b1 and the second optical signal b2. Exemplarily, the first initial phase difference may be ±π / 2. In this way, by adjusting the upper arm and the lower arm to have the first initial phase difference through the first phase shifter 143, the adjustment range of the first electro-optic phase shifter 141 and the second electro-optic phase shifter 142 for the upper arm and the lower arm can be reduced, the adjustment process of the first electro-optic phase shifter 141 and the second electro-optic phase shifter 142 can be simplified, and the control complexity of the optical switch can be reduced.

[0069] Similarly, the phase shift component 15 may further include: a second phase shifter 153, which is connected to the third optical waveguide 163 and is used to adjust the third optical signal b3 so that there is a second initial phase difference between the third optical signal b3 and the fourth optical signal b4. Exemplarily, the second initial phase difference may be ±π / 2. In this way, by adjusting the upper arm and the lower arm to have the second initial phase difference through the second phase shifter 153, the adjustment range of the third electro-optic phase shifter 151 and the fourth electro-optic phase shifter 152 for the upper arm and the lower arm can be reduced, the adjustment process of the third electro-optic phase shifter 151 and the fourth electro-optic phase shifter 152 can be simplified, and the control complexity of the optical switch can be reduced.

[0070] For example, during the process of push-pull electrical driving of the third electro-optic phase shifter 151 and the fourth electro-optic phase shifter 152, the phase difference between the third optical signal b3 and the fourth optical signal b4 can be switched between -π / 2 and π / 2. Coupled with the fixed phase shift of π / 2 adjusted by the second phase shifter 153, the total phase difference (i.e., the second phase difference ) between the upper arm and the lower arm of the second MZI structure can be switched between 0 and π, so that the output optical signal is correspondingly switched between the two signal output terminals Eout1 and Eout2, thereby realizing the function of the optical switch.

[0071] When specifically setting, the first phase shifter 143 may be a thermally tunable phase shifter or a fixed phase shifter. In this way, the first phase shifter 143 will not cause additional optical loss to the first optical waveguide 161. Similarly, the second phase shifter 153 may be a thermally tunable phase shifter or a fixed phase shifter. In this way, the second phase shifter 153 will not cause additional optical loss to the third optical waveguide 163.

[0072] Figure 3 This is a schematic structural diagram of the optical switch provided by the embodiment of the present application, as Figure 3As shown, in another possible implementation, the first optical coupler 11 can be a 2×2 multimode interference coupler, the second optical coupler 12 can be a 2×2 multimode interference coupler, and the third optical coupler 13 can be a 2×2 multimode interference coupler. Of course, in some cases, the first optical coupler 11, the second optical coupler 12, and the third optical coupler 13 can also be other types of optical couplers, and the types of the first optical coupler 11, the second optical coupler 12, and the third optical coupler 13 can be the same or different, which can be set according to actual needs.

[0073] Figure 4 is Figure 3 a schematic cross-sectional view at the dashed line L2 in, combined with Figure 3 and Figure 4 , in some other embodiments of the present application, the first electro-optic phase shifter 141 can be a PN-type electro-optic phase shifter. The first electro-optic phase shifter 141 can include: a second substrate 301, a second insulating layer 302, a first electrode Q1, and a second electrode Q2. The first electrode Q1, the first optical waveguide 161, and the second electrode Q2 are arranged in sequence in a direction parallel to the second substrate 301, that is, the first optical waveguide 161 is located between the first electrode Q1 and the second electrode Q2, and the second insulating layer 302 is located between the second substrate 301 and the film layer where the first electrode Q1 is located. Exemplarily, the second substrate 301 can include silicon material, and the second insulating layer 302 can include SiO2 material. By applying voltages to the first electrode Q1 and the second electrode Q2, electrons can be made to move in the direction from the first electrode Q1 to the second electrode Q2, thereby changing the refractive index of the first optical waveguide 161 to change the phase of the first optical signal b1 transmitted in the first optical waveguide 161. Similarly, the second electro-optic phase shifter 142 can also be a PN-type electro-optic phase shifter, the third electro-optic phase shifter 151 can also be a PN-type electro-optic phase shifter, and the fourth electro-optic phase shifter 152 can also be a PN-type electro-optic phase shifter. The specific settings of the second electro-optic phase shifter 142, the third electro-optic phase shifter 151, and the fourth electro-optic phase shifter 152 can refer to the structure of the first electro-optic phase shifter 141, and the repeated parts will not be elaborated. When specifically setting, the types of the phase shifters in the adjustment component 14 can be the same or different from the types of the phase shifters in the phase shift component 15, which can be set according to actual needs.

[0074] The specific structure of the optical switch in the embodiments of the present application has been introduced above. The working process of the optical switch in the embodiments of the present application will be described below. As Figure 1 and Figure 3 shown, the input optical signal (for example Figure 1 and Figure 3The optical signals a1 and a2) are coupled by the first optical coupler 11 and then divided into a first optical signal b1 and a second optical signal b2. The first optical signal b1 is adjusted by the first phase shifter 143 and the first electro-optic phase shifter 141 and then input to the first input terminal 121 of the second optical coupler 12. The second optical signal b2 is adjusted by the second electro-optic phase shifter 142 and then input to the second input terminal 122 of the second optical coupler 12. After the second optical coupler 12 couples the first optical signal b1 and the second optical signal b2, a third optical signal b3 and a fourth optical signal b4 are output. Under the adjustment of the adjustment component 14, a first phase difference is generated between the first optical signal b1 and the second optical signal b2 And there is a first amplitude difference △T1 between the coupled third optical signal b3 and fourth optical signal b4. After that, the third optical signal b3 is phase-shifted by the second phase shifter 153 and the third electro-optic phase shifter 151 and then input to the first input terminal 131 of the third optical coupler 13. The fourth optical signal b4 is phase-shifted by the fourth electro-optic coupler 152 and then input to the second input terminal 132 of the third optical coupler 13. Under the phase-shifting action of the phase-shifting component 15, a second phase difference and a second amplitude difference △T2 can be generated between the third optical signal b3 and the fourth optical signal b4. The first amplitude difference △T1 can cancel the additional amplitude difference △T generated during the phase-shifting process of the phase-shifting component 15 e , making the second amplitude difference △T2 approximately zero. As a result, after the third optical coupler 13 couples the third optical signal b3 and the fourth optical signal b4, an optical signal is output only at one signal output terminal (i.e., Eout1 or Eout2), resulting in a high extinction ratio of the optical switch.

[0075] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram for comparing the output curves of the optical switch in the embodiment of the present application and the comparative example. Among them, Figure 5 in (1) is a schematic diagram of the relationship curve between the output power and voltage of the optical switch in the comparative example, Figure 5 in (2) is a schematic diagram of the relationship curve between the output power and voltage of the optical switch in the embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 5 (1), in the optical switch of the comparative example, no adjustment component is provided. Curves S1 and S2 are the relationship curves between the output power and voltage of the two signal output terminals of the optical switch respectively. The vertical coordinate difference between curves S1 and S2 at the dotted line position in the figure represents the extinction ratio. It can be clearly seen from Figure 5 (1) that the extinction ratio of the optical switch in the comparative example is less than 20 dB. As shown in Figure 5 (2), an adjustment component is provided in the optical switch of the embodiment of the present application. Curves S3 and S4 are the relationship curves between the output power and voltage of the two signal output terminals of the optical switch respectively. The vertical coordinate difference between curves S3 and S4 at the dotted line position in the figure represents the extinction ratio. FromFigure 5 It can be clearly seen from (2) in [reference] that the extinction ratio of the optical switch in the embodiment of the present application is greater than 35 dB. By comparing Figure 5 with (1) and (2) in [reference], it can be known that in the embodiment of the present application, by arranging an adjustment component at the front end of the phase shift component, the amplitude difference generated by the upper arm and the lower arm during the phase shift process of the phase shift component can be offset, and the extinction ratio of the optical switch can be effectively improved. Moreover, the amplitude difference compensation process in the embodiment of the present application is completed passively, without additionally arranging a detection system and an active compensation system, and the control complexity and power consumption are both relatively low, and the practicability is relatively strong.

[0076] Based on the same inventive concept, the embodiment of the present application also provides an electronic device. The electronic device in the embodiment of the present application can be a waveguide chip, an optoelectronic detection chip, etc. The electronic device in the embodiment of the present application can include: any of the above optical switches, and a power supply module for supplying power to the optical switch. Since the above optical switch in the embodiment of the present application has a high extinction ratio, there is no need to arrange an optical attenuator at the rear end of the optical switch, and the control complexity and power consumption of the optical switch are relatively low. Therefore, the control complexity and power consumption of the electronic device including any of the above optical switches are also relatively low.

[0077] Figure 6 is a schematic structural diagram of the optical switch network in the embodiment of the present application. As Figure 6 shown, the electronic device in the embodiment of the present application can include a plurality of optical switches 100, and the plurality of optical switches 100 can form an optical switch network. Figure 6 Taking the optical switch network as a two-dimensional structure as an example, when specifically setting, the connection relationship of each optical switch 100 can be set according to actual needs. Specifically, each optical switch 100 can be connected in a Crossbar type, a Switch&Select type, a Piloss type, a Benes type, etc. Since the optical switch 100 in the embodiment of the present application has a high extinction ratio, the performance of the optical switching network can be improved while ensuring the switching speed of the optical switch 100.

[0078] Based on the same inventive concept, the embodiment of the present application also provides a delay line network. Figure 7 is a schematic structural diagram of the delay line network provided by the embodiment of the present application. As Figure 7 shown, the delay line network provided by the embodiment of the present application can include: a delay waveguide 200 and any of the above optical switches 100, and the delay waveguide 200 is connected to the optical switch 100. When specifically setting, the number of optical switches 100 and delay waveguides 200 in the delay line network can be set according to actual needs. For example Figure 7In this delay line network, N + 1 optical switches 100 and N sections of delay waveguides 200 may be included. During the operation of the delay line network, the input optical signal is split into two paths after passing through the first-stage optical switch 100. One path is input to the next-stage optical switch 100 after passing through the Δt delay waveguide 200, and the other path is directly input to the next-stage optical switch 100. Then, it is cascaded through 2Δt, 4Δt... 2 N-1 Δt delay waveguides 200 and then output, thereby implementing an N-bit optical delay line. Since the extinction ratio of the optical switch 100 in the embodiment of the present application is relatively high, it will not cause path crosstalk of the optical signal, and the network performance of the optical delay network can be improved.

[0079] Based on the same inventive concept, the embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device. The communication device in the embodiment of the present application may include: any of the above delay line networks, and a power supply module for supplying power to the delay line network. The communication device provided by the embodiment of the present application may be a building baseband unit (BBU). The baseband unit can centrally manage the entire base station system and has functions of processing uplink and downlink data, signaling processing, resource management, and operation and maintenance. The baseband unit in the embodiment of the present application can support remote control for radio frequency phase shift. Alternatively, the communication device provided by the embodiment of the present application may also be an active antenna unit (AAU). The active antenna unit is mainly responsible for part of the physical layer baseband function and all radio frequency functions. The active antenna unit in the embodiment of the present application can complete the beam control function among them. The optical switch in the embodiment of the present application can be specifically arranged in the optical control radio frequency phased array chip (or device) in the active antenna unit.

[0080] Although the preferred embodiments of the present application have been described, those skilled in the art can make additional changes and modifications to these embodiments once they know the basic creative concept. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to be construed as including the preferred embodiments and all changes and modifications falling within the scope of the present application.

[0081] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the embodiments of the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the embodiments of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalent technologies, the present application also intends to include these changes and modifications.

Claims

1. An optical switch, characterized in that, Comprising: A first optical coupler, a second optical coupler, a third optical coupler, an adjustment component, and a phase shift component; The first optical coupler is configured to couple an input optical signal and output a first optical signal and a second optical signal; The adjustment component is located between the first optical coupler and the second optical coupler and is configured to adjust the phase of at least one of the first optical signal and the second optical signal to generate a first phase difference between the first optical signal and the second optical signal; The second optical coupler is configured to couple the first optical signal and the second optical signal having the first phase difference and output a third optical signal and a fourth optical signal; there is a first amplitude difference between the third optical signal and the fourth optical signal; The phase shift component is configured to perform a phase shift process on at least one of the third optical signal and the fourth optical signal having the first amplitude difference to generate a second phase difference and a second amplitude difference between the third optical signal and the fourth optical signal; The second amplitude difference is approximately zero; The third optical coupler is configured to couple the third optical signal and the fourth optical signal after the phase shift process by the phase shift component and output the coupled optical signal.

2. The optical switch according to claim 1, wherein The first optical coupler has a first output end and a second output end, and the second optical coupler has a first input end and a second input end; The first output end of the first optical coupler is connected to the first input end of the second optical coupler through a first optical waveguide, and the first optical waveguide is used to transmit the first optical signal; The second output end of the first optical coupler is connected to the second input end of the second optical coupler through a second optical waveguide, and the second optical waveguide is used to transmit the second optical signal; The adjustment component includes: a first electro-optic phase shifter and a second electro-optic phase shifter. The first electro-optic phase shifter is connected to the first optical waveguide, and the second electro-optic phase shifter is connected to the second optical waveguide.

3. The optical switch according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The second optical coupler has a first output end and a second output end, and the third optical coupler has a first input end and a second input end; The first output end of the second optical coupler is connected to the first input end of the third optical coupler through a third optical waveguide, and the third optical waveguide is used to transmit the third optical signal; The second output end of the second optical coupler is connected to the second input end of the third optical coupler through a fourth optical waveguide, and the fourth optical waveguide is used to transmit the fourth optical signal; The phase shift component includes: a third electro-optic phase shifter and a fourth electro-optic phase shifter. The third electro-optic phase shifter is connected to the third optical waveguide, and the fourth electro-optic phase shifter is connected to the fourth optical waveguide.

4. The optical switch according to claim 3, wherein, Further comprising: A signal controller; The signal controller is electrically connected to the first electro-optic phase shifter and the second electro-optic phase shifter and is configured to provide a first electrical signal to the first electro-optic phase shifter and the second electro-optic phase shifter; The signal controller is electrically connected to the third electro-optic phase shifter and the fourth electro-optic phase shifter and is configured to provide a second electrical signal to the third electro-optic phase shifter and the fourth electro-optic phase shifter.

5. The optical switch according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first electro-optic phase shifter includes: a first electrode and a second electrode, and the second electro-optic phase shifter includes: a first electrode and a second electrode; The first electrode of the first electro-optic phase shifter is electrically connected to the second electrode of the second electro-optic phase shifter, and the second electrode of the first electro-optic phase shifter is electrically connected to the first electrode of the second electro-optic phase shifter.

6. The optical switch according to claim 4, characterized in that The third electro-optic phase shifter includes: a first electrode and a second electrode, and the fourth electro-optic phase shifter includes: a first electrode and a second electrode; The first electrode of the third electro-optic phase shifter is electrically connected to the second electrode of the fourth electro-optic phase shifter, and the second electrode of the third electro-optic phase shifter is electrically connected to the first electrode of the fourth electro-optic phase shifter.

7. The optical switch according to claim 5, wherein The third electro-optic phase shifter includes: a first electrode and a second electrode, and the fourth electro-optic phase shifter includes: a first electrode and a second electrode; The first electrode of the third electro-optic phase shifter is electrically connected to the second electrode of the fourth electro-optic phase shifter, and the second electrode of the third electro-optic phase shifter is electrically connected to the first electrode of the fourth electro-optic phase shifter; The length of the first electrode in the first electro-optic phase shifter is less than the length of the first electrode in the third electro-optic phase shifter, and the length of the second electrode in the first electro-optic phase shifter is less than the length of the second electrode in the third electro-optic phase shifter.

8. The optical switch according to claim 3, characterized in that, The adjustment component further includes: a first phase shifter, which is connected to the first optical waveguide and is used to adjust the first optical signal so that there is a first initial phase difference between the first optical signal and the second optical signal.

9. The optical switch according to claim 3, characterized in that, The phase shift component further includes: a second phase shifter, which is connected to the third optical waveguide and is used to adjust the third optical signal so that there is a second initial phase difference between the third optical signal and the fourth optical signal.

10. The optical switch according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The first optical coupler is a directional coupler or a multimode interference coupler, the second optical coupler is a directional coupler or a multimode interference coupler, and the third optical coupler is a directional coupler or a multimode interference coupler.

11. The optical switch according to claim 2, 4 or 5, characterized in that, The first electro-optic phase shifter is a PIN-type electro-optic phase shifter or a PN-type electro-optic phase shifter, and / or the second electro-optic phase shifter is a PIN-type electro-optic phase shifter or a PN-type electro-optic phase shifter.

12. The optical switch according to claim 3, 4 or 6, characterized in that, The third electro-optic phase shifter is a PIN-type electro-optic phase shifter or a PN-type electro-optic phase shifter, and / or the fourth electro-optic phase shifter is a PIN-type electro-optic phase shifter or a PN-type electro-optic phase shifter.

13. An electronic device, characterized in that, The electronic device includes: the optical switch according to any one of claims 1 to 12, and a power supply module for supplying power to the optical switch.

14. A delay line network, characterized in that, Includes: A delay waveguide and the optical switch according to any one of claims 1 to 12, and the delay waveguide is connected to the optical switch.

15. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes: the delay line network according to claim 14, and a power supply module for supplying power to the delay line network.

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