Optical control microwave beamforming network chip based on photoelectric cooperation

Abstract

The application relates to the fields of phased array, microwave photon and optoelectronic device technology, and particularly discloses an optical control microwave beam forming network chip based on photoelectric cooperation. The network chip comprises an electric signal input and modulation module, an optical signal transmission and phase shift module and an optical signal receiving and demodulation module; the electric signal input and modulation module is used for loading a to-be-modulated electric signal onto an optical domain, simultaneously regulating the phase of the optical signal, and transmitting the optical signal to the optical signal transmission and phase shift module; the optical signal transmission and phase shift module is used for expanding the phase regulation range of the optical signal and outputting the optical signal to the optical signal receiving and demodulation module; and the optical signal receiving and demodulation module is used for converting the received optical signal back to an electric signal, performing amplification processing and phase regulation of the electric signal. The application realizes high-precision phase shift in the electric domain, completes wide-range phase regulation coverage in the optical domain, and realizes high-precision wide-range phase regulation based on photoelectric cooperation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the fields of phased array, microwave photonics and optoelectronic devices, and in particular to a light-controlled microwave beamforming network chip based on optoelectronic synergy. Background Technology

[0002] High-precision, wide-range phase modulation plays a crucial role in modern radar, communications, and microwave photonics. For example, phased array radar and communication systems require precise and wide-range adjustments to the phase of signals.

[0003] However, existing phase modulation techniques often suffer from insufficient precision and limited modulation range. For example, traditional phase modulation methods based on the electro-optic effect struggle to guarantee accuracy over a wide range of phase adjustments, while some high-precision phase modulation schemes are often limited by a small modulation range, failing to meet the diverse signal processing needs of complex optical network environments.

[0004] Therefore, developing a technology that can achieve high-precision, wide-range phase modulation is of great practical significance. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One of the technical problems to be solved by the present invention is to provide a high-precision, wide-range phase modulation system based on optoelectronic coordination, so as to solve the pain point that it is difficult to achieve both phase modulation accuracy and modulation range in the prior art. It can be used to improve the performance of radar or communication systems, optimize signal processing, and other scenarios.

[0006] To address the aforementioned technical problems, the present invention provides a technical solution: a photoelectric synergy-based optically controlled microwave beamforming network chip, comprising: an optical signal transmission and phase shifting module, and an optical signal receiving and demodulation module; the optical signal transmission and phase shifting module is used to expand the phase modulation range of the optical signal and output the optical signal to the optical signal receiving and demodulation module; the optical signal receiving and demodulation module is used to convert the received optical signal back into an electrical signal, and perform amplification and phase modulation of the electrical signal.

[0007] Preferably, the optoelectronic synergy-based optical control microwave beamforming network chip further includes: an electrical signal input and modulation module, which is used to load the electrical signal to be modulated onto the optical domain, and simultaneously regulate the phase of the optical signal to transmit the optical signal to the optical signal transmission and phase shifting module.

[0008] Preferably, the electrical signal input and modulation module includes an electro-optic modulator and a driver. The electro-optic modulator is connected to the driver, the driver is connected to the electrical signal to be modulated, and the electro-optic modulator is connected to the optical signal. After the driver performs preliminary phase adjustment on the electrical signal, it drives the electro-optic modulator to modulate the optical signal, thereby loading the information of the electrical signal onto the optical signal. This initially achieves phase control of the signal, that is, by completing the conversion and modulation of the signal from electrical to optical, the original (or preliminarily processed) electrical information is loaded onto the light.

[0009] Preferably, an access optical signal is configured in front of the electro-optic modulator.

[0010] Preferably, the optical signal transmission and phase shifting module includes a micro-ring array. By adjusting the parameters of the micro-rings, the phase of the optical signal can be controlled. The micro-ring array has multiple channels, and each channel has a different number of micro-ring resonators cascaded together. By configuring the operating parameters of the micro-ring resonators and controlling the path of the output optical signal, multi-channel independent control of the optical signal phase can be achieved, realizing a wide range of signal phase control coverage in the optical domain.

[0011] Preferably, the optical signal receiving and demodulation module includes: a photodetector and a transimpedance amplifier, wherein the photodetector is connected to the transimpedance amplifier; the photodetector is used to convert the optical signal into a small current signal, and the transimpedance amplifier amplifies and converts the small current signal to complete high-precision phase modulation of the electrical signal.

[0012] Preferably, the transimpedance amplifier chip integrates a high-precision signal phase control module circuit, enabling high-precision phase modulation of the electrical signal to be completed within the transimpedance amplifier chip.

[0013] The present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0014] This invention achieves high-precision phase shifting in the electrical domain and completes large-scale phase modulation coverage in the optical domain, combining "high precision + large range" to realize high-precision and large-scale phase modulation based on optoelectronic synergy.

[0015] This invention realizes an optoelectronic synergistic optical beamforming network, which has the advantages of high integration, optoelectronic integration, and scalable array and beam size. It is mainly used in the field of communication, and is especially suitable for high-frequency scenarios such as future 6G communication, radar systems, and satellite communication. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the application of the present invention in the field of optical communication. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The detailed description and technical content of the present invention are explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are provided for reference and illustration only and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0019] Traditional electronic beamforming relies on phase shifters, which suffers from narrow instantaneous bandwidth and frequency-dependent pointing offset, leading to waveform distortion in broadband signals. Optical beamforming networks, based on optical phase modulation technology, can eliminate bandwidth limitations, ensuring distortion-free synthesis of large-bandwidth signals. Combining the two through optoelectronic synergy technology can compensate for bandwidth shortcomings, significantly improving the overall phase modulation effect of the system, especially in high-frequency applications such as millimeter waves and terahertz. This combination also opens up possibilities for cutting-edge fields such as terahertz communication and quantum-classical hybrid networks.

[0020] This invention applies phase adjustment technology from microelectronic chips to the design of optical beamforming network chips, achieving high-precision phase shifting in the electrical domain and wide-range phase modulation coverage in the optical domain, thus achieving a balance between "high precision and wide range".

[0021] like Figure 1 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a photoelectric-coordinated optical control microwave beamforming network chip, comprising: an electrical signal input and modulation module, an optical signal transmission and phase shifting module, and an optical signal receiving and demodulation module.

[0022] The electrical signal input and modulation module converts electrical signals into optical signals through an electro-optic modulator under the control of a driver, and performs preliminary phase control on the optical signals.

[0023] The optical signal transmission and phase shifting module expands the range of optical signal phase modulation through a micro-ring array;

[0024] The optical signal receiving and demodulation module converts the optical signal carrying phase information into an electrical signal. The transimpedance amplifier chip (TIA) then converts and amplifies the electrical signal and performs fine-tuning of the phase of the electrical signal.

[0025] In this embodiment, the electrical signal input and modulation module is used to load the electrical signal to be modulated onto the optical domain, and simultaneously perform preliminary phase modulation of the optical signal. The specific structure includes an electro-optic modulator and a driver. The electro-optic modulator is a device that uses the electro-optic effect to modulate an optical signal using an electrical signal. The refractive index of the material changes with the applied electric field, generating optical path difference and phase difference, thus changing the phase. A laser is placed before the electro-optic modulator, which is connected to the driver. The driver receives the electrical signal to be modulated, and the electro-optic modulator receives the optical signal. Under the drive of the driver, the electro-optic modulator modulates the optical signal, thereby loading the information of the electrical signal onto the optical signal. First, the electrical signal to be converted is input into the driver, which performs preliminary processing, such as amplification and filtering, to improve the signal quality and strength and meet the driving requirements of the modulator. Then, the driver distributes the processed electrical signal to the electro-optic modulator. Both the electro-optic modulator and the driver can use existing technologies. The electrical signal input and modulation module transmits the optical signal to the optical signal transmission and phase shifting module.

[0026] In this embodiment, the optical signal transmission and phase-shifting module mainly includes a micro-ring array. The micro-ring array is a key component for achieving phase-shifting control; by adjusting the parameters of the micro-rings (such as radius and refractive index), the phase of the optical signal can be controlled. Figure 1 As shown, the micro-ring array has multiple channels, each channel cascaded with a different number of micro-ring resonators arranged sequentially along the same waveguide, enabling independent multi-channel phase control. Because the number of micro-ring resonators in each channel is different, the optical signal undergoes different amplitude changes as it passes through the waveguide due to the varying number of micro-ring modulations. The output port of each channel is connected to an optical signal receiving and demodulation module, used to output the optical signal to the optical signal receiving and demodulation module.

[0027] The method of phase modulation using micro-ring arrays:

[0028] like Figure 1 The optical signal passes through the first micro-ring of the first channel, resulting in a phase shift of... Similarly, passing through the remaining micro-rings will produce varying degrees of phase shift.

[0029] If n microring resonators are cascaded, each microring can provide If the phase adjustment amount is such that the total maximum phase adjustment range can reach [amount], then the total maximum phase adjustment range can reach [amount]. The phase modulation range has been greatly expanded.

[0030] In this embodiment, the optical signal receiving and demodulation module is used to convert the received optical signal back into an electrical signal, and to amplify and finely control its phase. It mainly includes components such as a photodetector and a transimpedance amplifier (TIA). The photodetector is connected to the transimpedance amplifier. The photodetector, such as a photodiode, can convert the optical signal into a small current signal, with the current intensity proportional to the light irradiance. In this embodiment, the photovoltaic mode of the photodiode is applied, where the anode and cathode of the photodiode maintain the same potential, i.e., a zero-bias state. In this mode, the current flow of the photodiode is restricted, forming a voltage, and it operates using the photovoltaic effect. Because there is no reverse bias, the linearity and sensitivity of the photodiode are maximized, and the noise level is relatively low, enabling high-precision phase control. The transimpedance amplifier (TIA) amplifies and converts this small current signal to meet the requirements of subsequent signal processing, completing high-precision phase control of the electrical signal. The transimpedance amplifier chip integrates a high-precision signal phase control module circuit, allowing the final high-precision phase control to be completed within the transimpedance amplifier chip, ultimately achieving high-precision, wide-range control of the signal phase. Figure 1 As shown, each channel's output port is connected to a photodetector and a transimpedance amplifier.

[0031] The chip of this invention, through the above-mentioned innovative system architecture and method, effectively solves the limitations of existing phase modulation technology in terms of accuracy and range, bringing significant technological progress and performance improvement to fields such as optical communication and optical signal processing, and has broad application prospects and market value.

[0032] like Figure 2 As shown, the chip of this invention can be applied in the field of optical communication. The chip's workflow is as follows: The signal emitted by the user equipment is received by the remote antenna unit and transmitted to the central facility in the form of an optical signal. The chip of this invention is located in the central facility. The optical signal is converted into a more precise electrical signal and transmitted by the transmitter to the driver of the electrical signal input and modulation module. The driver transmits the electrical signal to the electro-optic modulator. Under the action of the driver, the electro-optic modulator performs preliminary phase modulation on the optical signal and transmits the corresponding phase optical signal to the optical signal transmission and phase-shifting module. In the optical signal transmission and phase-shifting module, the phase modulation range of the optical signal is expanded by different numbers of micro-rings on different paths. Thus, the optical signal with expanded phase range but insufficient precision enters the optical signal receiving and demodulation module, is output as an electrical signal by the photodetector, and is amplified by the transimpedance amplifier (TIA), simultaneously completing the fine-tuning of the phase.

[0033] This invention's chip ensures low phase error in optical signals, improving detection sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio, making it suitable for long-distance fiber optic communication. Utilizing the large bandwidth characteristics of the optical domain, a micro-ring array can be used to process the phase and amplitude of optical signals, enabling the realization of tunable microwave photonic filters for RF signal filtering and distribution in 5G / 6G fronthaul networks.

[0034] The embodiments described above are merely preferred embodiments for fully illustrating the present invention, and the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art based on the present invention are all within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A light-controlled microwave beamforming network chip based on optoelectronic synergy, characterized in that, It includes: Optical signal transmission and phase shifting module; optical signal receiving and demodulation module; The optical signal transmission and phase shifting module is used to expand the range of optical signal phase modulation and output the optical signal to the optical signal receiving and demodulation module. The optical signal receiving and demodulation module is used to convert the received optical signal back into an electrical signal, and to amplify and modulate the phase of the electrical signal. The optical signal transmission and phase shifting module includes a micro-ring array, which controls the phase of the optical signal by adjusting the parameters of the micro-rings. The micro-ring array has multiple channels, and each channel has a different number of micro-ring resonators cascaded together. By configuring the operating parameters of the micro-ring resonators and controlling the path of the output optical signal, multi-channel independent control of the phase of the optical signal can be achieved. The optical signal receiving and demodulation module includes: a photodetector and a transimpedance amplifier, with the photodetector connected to the transimpedance amplifier; A photodetector is used to convert optical signals into small current signals, and a transimpedance amplifier amplifies and converts the small current signals to achieve high-precision phase modulation of the electrical signals.

2. The optoelectronic synergy-based optically controlled microwave beamforming network chip as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an electrical signal input and modulation module, which is used to load the electrical signal to be modulated onto the optical domain, and simultaneously regulate the phase of the optical signal to transmit the optical signal to the optical signal transmission and phase shifting module.

3. The optoelectronic synergy-based optically controlled microwave beamforming network chip as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The electrical signal input and modulation module includes an electro-optic modulator and a driver. The electro-optic modulator is connected to the driver. The driver receives the electrical signal to be modulated, and the electro-optic modulator receives the optical signal. After the driver performs preliminary phase adjustment on the electrical signal, it drives the electro-optic modulator to modulate the optical signal, thereby loading the information of the electrical signal onto the optical signal and initially realizing the control of the signal phase.

4. The optoelectronic synergy-based optically controlled microwave beamforming network chip as described in claim 3, characterized in that, An access optical signal is configured in front of the electro-optic modulator.

5. The optoelectronic synergy-based optically controlled microwave beamforming network chip as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The transimpedance amplifier chip integrates a high-precision signal phase control module circuit, enabling high-precision phase modulation of electrical signals within the transimpedance amplifier chip.

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