Electronic device with high-frequency wireless communication capability

Abstract

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

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application filed on June 27, 2022, with application number 202210735653.9 and titled "Electronic device with high-frequency wireless communication capability".

[0002] This patent application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 834695, filed June 7, 2022, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 235423, filed August 20, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates in general to electronic devices, and more specifically to electronic devices having wireless circuitry. Background Technology

[0004] Electronic devices often possess wireless capabilities. Wireless electronic devices have wireless circuitry that includes one or more antennas. This wireless circuitry is used to perform communication using radio frequency signals transmitted by the antennas.

[0005] As software applications on electronic devices become increasingly data-intensive over time, the demand for electronic devices that support wireless communication at higher data rates has increased. However, the maximum data rate supported by electronic devices is limited by the frequency of the radio frequency signal. Furthermore, it can be difficult to implement wireless circuits that can handle high data rates in a resource- and space-efficient manner. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Electronic devices may include wireless circuitry controlled by one or more processors. The wireless circuitry may include transceiver circuitry, one or more antennas, and one or more optical signal paths coupling the transceiver circuitry to each of these antennas. To support extremely high data rates, these antennas may transmit wireless signals at frequencies greater than or equal to approximately 100 GHz. Each antenna may transmit and receive these wireless signals using a time-division duplex scheme.

[0007] The antenna may include an antenna radiating element coupled to a programmable photodiode, such as a single-row carrier photodiode (UTC PD). The optical signal path may illuminate the UTC PD using a first optical local oscillator (LO) signal and a second optical LO signal offset in wavelength relative to the first optical LO signal. An optical phase shift may be applied to the first optical LO signal if desired. This allows for signal beamforming in a specific implementation where the antenna is formed in a phased antenna array.

[0008] An optical modulator (such as a Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM)) can be inserted into the optical path. A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) can be coupled to the MZM in the transmit path. During signal transmission, the DAC can output radio data to the transmit path. The MZM can modulate the radio data onto a second optical LO signal. Control circuitry can apply a first bias voltage to the UTC PD, which configures the UTC PD to convert the first optical LO signal and the modulated second optical LO signal into a current on the antenna radiating element. The frequency of this current is given by the frequency difference between the first and second optical LO signals. This current can be a frequency greater than 100 GHz. The UTC PD can preserve the modulation in the second optical LO signal, such that the current radiating on the antenna radiating element includes the radio signal containing the radio data output from the DAC.

[0009] During signal reception, the antenna radiating element receives wireless signals with frequencies greater than 100 GHz. The control circuitry can apply a second bias voltage to the UTC PD, configuring the UTC PD to convert the wireless signal into an intermediate frequency (IF) signal (e.g., millimeter-wave frequency) using a first optical LO signal and a second optical LO signal. The receiving path can either pass the IF signal to an MZM for conversion to the optical domain or pass the IF signal to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). In other implementations, the second bias voltage can configure the UTC PD to directly sample the received wireless signal into the optical domain using the first and second optical LO signals. The control circuitry can recover the wireless data from the IF signal or the signal in the optical domain. In this way, the same antenna and optical signal path can be used to transmit and receive extremely high frequency signals to support extremely high data rates, while also supporting beamforming implemented in a phased antenna array, thereby minimizing space and resource consumption within the device.

[0010] One aspect of this disclosure provides an electronic device. The electronic device may include a photodiode. The electronic device may include an optical signal path configured to illuminate the photodiode using a first optical local oscillator (LO) signal and a second optical LO signal with a wavelength offset relative to the first optical LO signal. The electronic device may include an optical modulator disposed along the optical signal path and configured to modulate wireless data onto the second optical LO signal. The electronic device may include an antenna radiating element coupled to the photodiode. The photodiode may be configured to generate a current with a frequency greater than or equal to 100 GHz on the antenna radiating element based on the first optical LO signal, the second optical LO signal, and a bias voltage applied to the photodiode, the current on the antenna radiating element being configured to radiate a wireless signal including wireless data. The electronic device may include a receiving path coupling the photodiode to the optical modulator.

[0011] One aspect of this disclosure provides an electronic device. The electronic device may include a photodiode. The electronic device may include: an optical signal path configured to illuminate the photodiode using a first optical local oscillator (LO) signal and a second optical LO signal with a wavelength offset relative to the first optical LO signal. The electronic device may include an optical modulator disposed along the optical signal path. The electronic device may include a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) configured to output wireless data. The electronic device may include a transmit path coupling the DAC to the optical modulator and configured to transmit wireless data from the DAC to the optical modulator, the optical modulator being configured to modulate the wireless data onto the second optical LO signal. The electronic device may include an antenna radiating element coupled to the photodiode. The photodiode may be configured to generate a current with a frequency greater than or equal to 100 GHz on the antenna radiating element based on the first optical LO signal, the second optical LO signal, and a bias voltage applied to the photodiode, the current on the antenna radiating element being configured to transmit a wireless signal including the wireless data. The electronic device may include an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The electronic device may include a receive path coupling the photodiode to the ADC.

[0012] One aspect of this disclosure provides a method for operating an electronic device. The method may include: generating a first optical local oscillator (LO) signal and a second optical LO signal with a wavelength offset relative to the first optical LO signal using optical components. The method may include: modulating radio data onto the second optical LO signal using a Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM). The method may include: converting the first and second optical LO signals into a current with a frequency greater than 100 GHz on an antenna radiating element using a single-line carrier photodiode (UTC PD) when the UTC PD is biased with a first bias voltage. The method may include: transmitting a first radio signal associated with the current using the antenna radiating element, wherein the first radio signal includes radio data. The method may include: receiving the second radio signal with a frequency greater than 100 GHz using the antenna radiating element when the UTC PD is biased with a second bias voltage different from the first bias voltage. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of an exemplary electronic device according to some embodiments, having a wireless circuit with at least one antenna that transmits and receives wireless signals at frequencies greater than about 100 GHz.

[0014] Figure 2 A top view of an exemplary antenna based on an optical local oscillator (LO) signal transmitting a wireless signal at a frequency greater than approximately 100 GHz, according to some implementation schemes.

[0015] Figure 3 For illustration according to some implementation schemes Figure 2 A top view showing how an exemplary antenna of the type shown can convert received wireless signals with frequencies greater than approximately 100 GHz into intermediate frequency signals based on optical LO signals.

[0016] Figure 4 For illustration according to some implementation schemes Figure 2 and Figure 3 A top view showing how multiple antennas of the type shown can be stacked to cover multiple polarizations.

[0017] Figure 5 To show how it can be Figure 4 A top view showing a stacked antenna of the type shown integrated into a phased antenna array for transmitting wireless signals at frequencies greater than approximately 100 GHz within the corresponding signal beam.

[0018] Figure 6 The circuit diagram is provided for an exemplary wireless circuit with an antenna according to some embodiments, which transmits wireless signals at frequencies greater than about 100 GHz and receives wireless signals at frequencies greater than about 100 GHz for conversion to intermediate frequency and then to the optical domain.

[0019] Figure 7 The circuit diagram is provided for an exemplary wireless circuit with an antenna according to some embodiments, which transmits wireless signals at frequencies greater than about 100 GHz and receives wireless signals at frequencies greater than about 100 GHz for conversion to intermediate frequencies.

[0020] Figure 8 The circuit diagram is provided for an exemplary wireless circuit with an antenna according to some embodiments, which transmits and receives wireless signals at frequencies greater than about 100 GHz for direct sampling into the optical domain.

[0021] Figure 9 A circuit diagram of an exemplary phased antenna array that transmits wireless signals with frequencies greater than approximately 100 GHz within a corresponding signal beam, according to some implementation schemes.

[0022] Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating exemplary operations that can be performed by a wireless circuit system according to some implementation schemes to transmit and receive wireless signals at frequencies greater than 100 GHz using the same antenna. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Figure 1The electronic device 10 (sometimes referred to herein as electro-optical device 10) may be: a computing device, such as a laptop computer, desktop computer, computer monitor containing an embedded computer, tablet computer, cellular phone, media player, or other handheld or portable electronic device; a smaller device, such as a wristwatch, a hanging device, a headset or handset, a device embedded in glasses, goggles; or other equipment worn on a user's head; or other wearable or micro-devices, televisions, computer monitors without an embedded computer, gaming devices, navigation devices, embedded systems (such as systems in which electronic equipment with a display is installed in a kiosk or vehicle), voice-controlled speakers connected to the wireless Internet, home entertainment devices, remote control devices, game controllers, peripheral user input devices, wireless base stations or access points, equipment that enables the functions of two or more of these devices; or other electronic equipment. - like Figure 1 As shown in the functional block diagram, device 10 may include components located on or within an electronic device housing, such as housing 12. Housing 12 (sometimes referred to as a shell) may be formed of plastic, glass, ceramic, fiber composite material, metal (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, metal alloys, etc.), other suitable materials, or combinations of these materials. In some cases, housing 12 may be partially or entirely formed of dielectric or other low-conductivity materials (e.g., glass, ceramic, plastic, sapphire, etc.). In other cases, housing 12 or at least some of the structures constituting housing 12 may be formed of metallic elements.

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

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

[0026] Control circuitry 14 can be used to run software on device 10, such as satellite navigation applications, internet browsing applications, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone calling applications, email applications, media playback applications, operating system functions, etc. To support interaction with external equipment, control circuitry 14 can be used to implement communication protocols. Communication protocols that can be implemented using control circuitry 14 include Internet Protocol, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) protocols (e.g., IEEE 802.11 protocol—sometimes referred to as Wi-Fi). ® ), such as Bluetooth ® Protocols such as those used for other short-range wireless communication links, including wireless personal area network (WPAN) protocols, IEEE 802.11ad protocols (e.g., ultra-wideband protocols), cellular phone protocols (e.g., 3G protocols, 4G (LTE) protocols, 3GPP fifth-generation (5G) new radio (NR) protocols, sixth-generation (6G) protocols, sub-THz protocols, THz protocols, etc.), antenna diversity protocols, satellite navigation system protocols (e.g., Global Positioning System (GPS) protocols, Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) protocols, etc.), antenna-based spatial ranging protocols, optical communication protocols, or any other desired communication protocols. Each communication protocol may be associated with a corresponding radio access technology (RAT), which specifies the physical connection method used to implement the protocol.

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

[0028] The input-output circuitry 20 may include a wireless circuitry 24 to support wireless communication. The wireless circuitry 24 (sometimes referred to herein as wireless communication circuitry 24) may include one or more antennas 30.

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

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

[0031] Transceiver circuitry 26 can be coupled to each antenna 30 in wireless circuitry 24 via corresponding signal paths 28. Each signal path 28 may include one or more RF transmit lines, waveguides, optical fibers, and / or any other desired lines / paths for transmitting wireless signals between transceiver circuitry 26 and antenna 30. Antenna 30 may be formed using any desired antenna structure for transmitting wireless signals. For example, antenna 30 may include antennas with resonant elements, formed by dipole antenna structures, planar dipole antenna structures (e.g., butterfly antenna structures), slot antenna structures, loop antenna structures, patch antenna structures, inverted F-shaped antenna structures, planar inverted F-shaped antenna structures, helical antenna structures, monopole antennas, dipoles, hybrids of these designs, etc. Filter circuitry, switching circuitry, impedance matching circuitry, and / or other antenna tuning components may be adjusted to modify the frequency response and wireless performance of antenna 30 over time.

[0032] If desired, two or more antennas in antenna 30 may be integrated into a phased antenna array (sometimes referred to herein as a phased array antenna), in which each antenna transmits a wireless signal having a corresponding phase and magnitude adjusted over time, thus causing constructive and destructive interference of the wireless signals to generate (form) a signal beam in a given pointing direction. As used herein, the term "transmitting a wireless signal" means the transmission and / or reception of a wireless signal (e.g., for performing one-way and / or two-way wireless communication with an external wireless communication device). Antenna 30 may transmit a wireless signal by radiating the signal into free space (or radiating it into free space through an intermediary device structure such as a dielectric overlay). Alternatively or in addition, antenna 30 may receive a wireless signal from free space (e.g., through an intermediary device structure such as a dielectric overlay). The transmission and reception of wireless signals by antenna 30 each involve the excitation or resonance of an antenna current on an antenna resonant (radiating) element in the antenna by the wireless signal within the antenna's operating frequency band.

[0033] Transceiver circuitry 26 may use antenna 30 to transmit and / or receive wireless signals that transmit wireless communication data between device 10 and external wireless communication equipment (e.g., one or more other devices, such as device 10, a wireless access point, or a base station). The wireless communication data may be transmitted bidirectionally or unidirectionally. The wireless communication data may include, for example, data encoded into corresponding data packets, such as wireless data associated with telephone calls, streaming media content, internet browsing, wireless data associated with software applications running on device 10, email messages, etc.

[0034] Alternatively, wireless circuitry 24 may use antenna 30 to perform wireless sensing operations. Sensing operations may allow device 10 to detect (e.g., sense or identify) the presence, location, orientation, and / or speed (motion) of an external object. Control circuitry 14 may use the detected presence, location, orientation, and / or speed of the external object to perform any desired device operation. As an example, control circuitry 14 may use the detected presence, location, orientation, and / or speed of an external object to identify corresponding user input for one or more software applications running on device 10, such as gesture input performed by the user's hand or other body parts or by an external stylus, game controller, head-mounted device, or other peripheral device or accessory; determine when one or more antennas 30 need to be disabled or set with a reduced maximum transmit power level (e.g., to meet regulatory restrictions on radio frequency exposure); determine how to guide (form) the radio frequency signal beam generated by antennas 30 for wireless circuitry 24 (e.g., in the case where antennas 30 include a phased array of antennas 30); map or model the environment around device 10 (e.g., to generate a software model of the room where device 10 is located for use by augmented reality applications, gaming applications, mapping applications, home design applications, engineering applications, etc.); detect the presence of obstacles near (e.g., around) device 10 or in the direction of movement of the user of device 10; etc.

[0035] Wireless circuit 24 can transmit and / or receive wireless signals within a corresponding frequency band of the electromagnetic spectrum (sometimes referred to herein as the communication band or simply the "band"). The frequency band handled by communication circuit 26 may include: the wireless local area network (WLAN) band (e.g., Wi-Fi). ® (IEEE 802.11) or other WLAN communication bands such as the 2.4 GHz WLAN band (e.g., 2400 MHz to 2480 MHz), the 5 GHz WLAN band (e.g., 5180 MHz to 5825 MHz), Wi-Fi ® 6E band (e.g., 5925MHz-7125MHz) and / or other Wi-Fi ® Bands (e.g., 1875MHz-5160MHz); Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) bands such as 2.4GHz Bluetooth. ®Bands or other WPAN communication bands; cellular telephone bands (e.g., bands from about 600 MHz to about 5 GHz, 3G bands, 4G LTE bands, 5G NR frequency range 1 (FR1) band below 10 GHz, 5G NR frequency range 2 (FR2) band between 20 GHz and 60 GHz, etc.); other centimeter wave or millimeter wave bands between 10 GHz and 100 GHz; near-field communication bands (e.g., 13.56 MHz); satellite navigation bands (e.g., GPS band from 1565 MHz to 1610 MHz, Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) band, BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) band, etc.); ultra-wideband (UWB) bands operating under the IEEE 802.15.4 protocol and / or other ultra-wideband communication protocols; communication bands belonging to the 3GPP wireless communication standard family; communication bands belonging to the IEEE 802.XX standard family; and / or any other desired bands of interest.

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

[0037] like Figure 1As shown, wireless circuit 24 can transmit wireless signals 32 at frequencies greater than approximately 100 GHz and can receive wireless signals 34 at frequencies greater than approximately that value. Wireless signals 32 and 34 may sometimes be referred to herein as extremely high frequency (THF) signals 32 and 34, sub-THz signals 32 and 34, THz signals 32 and 34, or sub-millimeter wave signals 32 and 34. THF signals 32 and 34 may be located at sub-THz frequencies or THz frequencies such as those between 100 GHz and 1 THz, between 100 GHz and 10 THz, between 100 GHz and 2 THz, between 200 GHz and 1 THz, between 300 GHz and 1 THz, between 300 GHz and 2 THz, between 300 GHz and 10 THz, between 100 GHz and 800 GHz, between 200 GHz and 1.5 THz, etc. (e.g., within sub-THz, THz, THF, or sub-millimeter bands such as the 6 GHz band). The high data rates supported by these frequencies can be utilized by device 10 to perform cellular phone voice and / or data communications (e.g., simultaneously supporting spatial multiplexing to provide additional data bandwidth), to perform spatial ranging operations such as radar operations to detect the presence, location, and / or speed of objects outside device 10, to perform vehicle sensing (e.g., with enhanced security), to perform health / body monitoring of the user of device 10 or another person, to perform gas or chemical detection, to establish a high data rate wireless connection between device 10 and another device or peripheral device (e.g., to establish a high data rate between a display driver on device 10 and a display showing ultra-high resolution video), to establish a remote wireless head (e.g., flexible high data rate connection), to establish a THF chip-to-chip connection supporting high data rates within device 10 (e.g., where an antenna 30 on a first chip in device 10 transmits a THF signal 32 to another antenna 30 on a second chip in device 10), and / or to perform any other desired high data rate operations.

[0038] Space is extremely valuable within electronic devices (such as device 10). In some cases, the antenna 30 used to transmit the THF signal 32 is different from the antenna used to receive the THF signal 34. However, using different antennas 30 to handle the transmission of the THF signal 32 and the reception of the THF signal 34 can consume excessive space and other resources within device 10, as two antennas 30 and signal path 28 would be required to handle both transmission and reception. To minimize space and resource consumption within device 10, the same antenna 30 and signal path 28 can be used for both transmitting the THF signal 32 and receiving the THF signal 34. If needed, multiple antennas 30 in wireless circuit 24 can transmit the THF signal 32 and receive the THF signal 34. The antennas can be integrated into a phased antenna array that transmits the THF signal 32 and receives the THF signal 34 within the corresponding signal beam oriented in the selected beam pointing direction.

[0039] Integrating components into the wireless circuitry 24 that supports wireless communication at these high frequencies can be challenging. If desired, the transceiver circuitry 26 and signal path 28 may include optical components that transmit optical signals to support the transmission of THF signal 32 and the reception of THF signal 34 in a space- and resource-efficient manner. The optical signals can be used to transmit THF signal 32 at the THF frequency and to receive THF signal 34 at the THF frequency.

[0040] Figure 2 This is a diagram of an exemplary antenna 30 that can be used to transmit THF signal 32 and receive THF signal 34 using optical signals. Antenna 30 may include one or more antenna radiating (resonant) elements, such as radiating (resonant) element arms 36. Figure 2 In the example, antenna 30 is a planar dipole antenna (sometimes referred to as a "butterfly" antenna) with two opposing radiating element arms 36 (e.g., butterfly arms or dipole arms). This is merely illustrative, and in general, antenna 30 can be any type of antenna with any desired antenna radiating element architecture.

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

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

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

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

[0045] The UTC PD 42 converts the optical local oscillator signal LO1 and the modulated local oscillator signal LO2' (e.g., the beat between the two optical local oscillator signals) into an antenna current flowing along the periphery of the radiating element arm 36. The frequency of the antenna current is equal to the frequency difference between the local oscillator signal LO1 and the modulated local oscillator signal LO2'. The antenna current radiates (emits) the THF signal 32 into free space. Bias voltage V 偏置 The UTC PD 42 can be controlled to convert the optical local oscillator signal into an antenna current on the radiating element arm 36, while simultaneously modulating and thus storing the radio data on the modulated local oscillator signal LO2' (e.g., by applying a square function to the signal). The THF signal 32 will then carry the modulated radio data for reception and demodulation by an external wireless communication device.

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

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

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

[0049] like Figure 4As shown, the wireless circuit may include a first antenna 30, such as antenna 30V for covering a first polarization (e.g., a first linear polarization such as vertical polarization), and may include a second antenna 30, such as antenna 30H for covering a second polarization different from or orthogonal to the first polarization (e.g., a second linear polarization such as horizontal polarization). Antenna 30V may have a UTC PD 42, such as UTC PD 42V coupled between corresponding pairs of radiating element arms 36. Antenna 30H may have a UTC PD 42, such as UTC PD 42H coupled between corresponding pairs of radiating element arms 36, which are oriented non-parallel (e.g., orthogonally) to the radiating element arms 36 in antenna 30V. This allows antennas 30V and 30H to transmit THF signals 32 with corresponding (orthogonal) polarizations, and allows antennas 30V and 30H to receive THF signals 32 with corresponding (orthogonal) polarizations.

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

[0051] If needed, antenna 30 or Figure 4 The antennas 30H and 30V are integrated into the phased antenna array. Figure 5 This diagram illustrates an example of how antennas 30H and 30V can be integrated within a phased antenna array. (See diagram for example.) Figure 5As shown, device 10 may include a phased antenna array 46 of stacked antennas 30H and 30V arranged in a rectangular grid of rows and columns. Each of these antennas in phased antenna array 46 may be formed on the same substrate. This is merely illustrative. In general, phased antenna array 46 (sometimes referred to as phased array antenna) may include any desired number of antennas 30V and 30H (or non-stacked antennas 30) arranged in any desired pattern. Each of these antennas in phased antenna array 46 may be provided with a corresponding optical phase shift S ( Figure 2 and Figure 3 The corresponding optical phase shift configures the antenna to jointly transmit THF signal 32 and / or receive THF signal 34, which are summed to form a signal beam of the THF signal in the desired beam pointing direction. The beam pointing direction can be selected to direct the signal beam toward external communication equipment, toward a desired external object, away from an external object, etc.

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

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

[0054] like Figure 6As shown, wireless circuit 24 may include transceiver circuitry 26 coupled to antenna 30 via signal path 28 (e.g., an optical signal path, sometimes referred to herein as optical signal path 28). A UTC PD 42 may be coupled between the radiating element arm 36 of antenna 30 and signal path 28. Transceiver circuitry 26 may include optical components 68, amplifier circuitry such as power amplifier 76, and digital-to-analog converter (DAC) 74. Optical components 68 may include optical receivers (such as optical receiver 72) and optical local oscillator (LO) light sources (emitters) 70. LO light sources 70 may include two or more light sources, such as laser sources, laser diodes, optical phase-locked loops, or other optical emitters emitting light at corresponding wavelengths (e.g., optical local oscillator signals LO1 and LO2). If desired, LO light sources 70 may include a single light source and may include optical components for splitting the light emitted by the light source into different wavelengths. Signal path 28 may be coupled to optical components 68 via optical path 66. Optical path 66 may include one or more optical fibers and / or waveguides.

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

[0056] An optical phase shifter (such as optical phase shifter 80) may be (optically) inserted on or along optical path 64. An optical modulator (such as optical modulator 56) may be (optically) inserted on or along optical path 62. Optical modulator 56 may be, for example, a Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM), and is therefore sometimes referred to as MZM 56. MZM 56 includes a first optical arm (branch) 60 and a second optical arm (branch) 58 inserted in parallel along optical path 62. The propagation of the optical local oscillator signal LO2 along arms 60 and 58 of MZM 56 allows for different optical phase shifts to be applied to each arm before the signal is reassembled at the output of the MZM (e.g., where the optical phase modulation generated on these arms is converted into intensity modulation at the output of MZM 56) in the presence of a voltage signal applied to one or both arms. When the voltage applied to MZM 56 includes radio data, MZM 56 can modulate the radio data onto the optical local oscillator signal LO2. If needed, the phase shift performed at MZM 56, as a supplement to or alternative to optical phase shifter 80, can be used to perform beamforming / guiding. MZM 56 can receive one or more bias voltages W applied to one or both of arms 58 and 60. 偏置 (Sometimes referred to in this paper as the bias signal W) 偏置 Control circuit 14 ( Figure 1 ) can provide bias voltages W with different values. 偏置 This allows the MZM 56 to be placed in different operating modes (e.g., an operating mode that suppresses the optical carrier signal, an operating mode that does not suppress the optical carrier signal, etc.).

[0057] Intermediate frequency (IF) signal path 44 may couple UTC PD 42 to MZM 56 (e.g., arm 60). An amplifier (such as low-noise amplifier 82) may be inserted into IF signal path 44. IF signal path 44 may be used to pass the IF signal SIGIF from UTC PD 42 to MZM 56. DAC 74 may have inputs coupled to up-conversion circuitry, modulator circuitry, and / or baseband circuitry in the transmitter of transceiver circuitry 26. DAC 74 may receive digital data for transmission via antenna 30 and may convert digital data into the analog domain (e.g., as data DAT). DAC 74 may have an output coupled to transmit data path 78. Transmit data path 78 may couple DAC 74 to MZM 56 (e.g., arm 60). Each component along signal path 28 allows the same antenna 30 to transmit THF signal 32 and receive THF signal 34 (e.g., using the same component along signal path 28), thereby minimizing space and resource consumption within device 10.

[0058] The LO light source 70 can generate (emit) optical local oscillator signals LO1 and LO2 (e.g., at different wavelengths separated by the wavelengths of the THF signals 32 / 34). Optical components 68 may include lenses, waveguides, optical couplers, optical fibers, and / or other optical components that guide the emitted optical local oscillator signals LO1 and LO2 via optical path 66 toward beam splitter 54. Beam splitter 54 can split the optical signals on optical path 66 (e.g., according to wavelength) to output optical local oscillator signal LO1 onto optical path 64, while outputting optical local oscillator signal LO2 onto optical path 62.

[0059] Control circuit 14 ( Figure 1 A phase control signal CTRL can be provided to optical phase shifter 80. The phase control signal CTRL controls optical phase shifter 80 to apply an optical phase shift S to the optical local oscillator signal LO1 on optical path 64. The phase shift S can be selected to guide the signal beam of THF signals 32 / 34 in the desired pointing direction. Optical phase shifter 80 can pass the phase-shifted optical local oscillator signal LO1 (referred to as LO1 + S) to optical combiner 52. Signal beamguiding is performed in the optical domain (e.g., using optical phase shifter 80) rather than in the THF domain because there is no satisfactory phase shifting circuit component operating at a frequency as high as that of THF signals 32 and 34. Optical combiner 52 can receive optical local oscillator signal LO2 via optical path 62. Optical combiner 52 can combine optical local oscillator signals LO1 and LO2 onto optical path 40, which directs these optical local oscillator signals to UTC PD 42 for use during signal transmission or reception.

[0060] During the transmission of THF signal 32, DAC 74 can receive digital radio data (e.g., data packets, frames, symbols, etc.) for transmission via THF signal 32. DAC 74 can convert the digital radio data into the analog domain and output (transmit) the data as data DAT to transmit data path 78 (e.g., for transmission via antenna 30). Power amplifier 76 can amplify data DAT. Transmit data path 78 can pass data DAT to MZM 56 (e.g., arm 60). MZM 56 can modulate data DAT onto optical local oscillator signal LO2 to generate modulated optical local oscillator signal LO2' (e.g., an optical local oscillator signal at the frequency / wavelength of optical local oscillator signal LO2 but modulated to include data identified by data DAT). Optical combiner 52 can combine optical local oscillator signal LO1 with modulated optical local oscillator signal LO2' at optical path 40.

[0061] Optical path 40 can illuminate UTC PD 42 using optical local oscillator signal LO1 (e.g., and phase shift S applied by optical phase shifter 80) and modulated optical local oscillator signal LO2'. Control circuit 14 ( Figure 1 A bias voltage V can be applied to the UTCPD 42. 偏置 The control signal configures antenna 30 to transmit THF signal 32. UTC PD 42 can convert the optical local oscillator signal LO1 and the modulated optical local oscillator signal LO2' into an antenna current on radiating element arm 36 at the frequency of THF signal 32 (e.g., when programmed to use a bias voltage V). 偏置 (During transmission). The antenna current on radiating element arm 36 can radiate a THF signal 32. The frequency of the THF signal 32 is given by the frequency difference between the optical local oscillator signal LO1 and the modulated optical local oscillator signal LO2'. Bias voltage V 偏置 The UTC PD 42 can be controlled to retain the modulation from the modulated optical local oscillator signal LO2' in the radiated THF signal 32. External equipment receiving the THF signal 32 can thus be able to extract data DAT from the THF signal 32 emitted by the antenna 30.

[0062] During the reception of THF signal 34, MZM 56 does not modulate any data onto the optical local oscillator signal LO2. Optical path 40 therefore illuminates UTC PD 42 using optical local oscillator signal LO1 (e.g., and phase shift S) and optical local oscillator signal LO2. Control circuit 14 ( Figure 1 A bias voltage V can be applied to the UTC PD 42. 偏置 The control signal configures antenna 30 to receive THF signal 32. UTC PD 42 can use optical local oscillator signals LO1 and LO2 to convert the received THF signal 34 into an intermediate frequency signal SIGIF (e.g., programmed to use a bias voltage V) output to the intermediate frequency signal path 44. 偏置 (During reception). The intermediate frequency signal SIGIF may include modulated data from the received THF signal 34. The low-noise amplifier 82 amplifies the intermediate frequency signal SIGIF, which is then provided to the MZM 56 (e.g., arm 60). The MZM 56 can convert the intermediate frequency signal SIGIF as an optical signal LORx to the optical domain (e.g., by modulating the data in the intermediate frequency signal SIGIF onto one of these optical local oscillator signals), and can pass the corresponding optical signal to the optical receiver 72 in the optical component 68, as indicated by arrow 63 (e.g., via optical paths 62 and 66 or other optical paths). Control circuit 14 ( Figure 1The optical receiver 72 can be used to convert the optical signal LORx into other formats and recover (demodulate) the data carried by the THF signal 34 from the optical signal. In this way, the same antenna 30 and signal path 28 can be used to transmit and receive THF signals, while also performing beamguiding operations.

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

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

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

[0066] like Figure 8 As shown, can be omitted Figure 6 and Figure 7 The intermediate frequency signal path is 44. Bias voltage V 偏置 The UTC PD 42 can be controlled to directly sample the THF signal 34 along with the optical local oscillator signals LO1 and LO2 into the optical domain. For example, the UTC PD 42 can use the received THF signal 34 and the bias voltage V. 偏置 An optical signal is generated on optical path 40. The optical signal may have an optical carrier with sidebands separated from the optical carrier by a fixed frequency offset (e.g., 30GHz-100GHz, 60GHz, 50GHz-70GHz, 10GHz-100GHz, etc.). The sidebands may be used to carry modulated data from the received THF signal 34. Signal path 28 may guide (propagate) the optical signal generated by UTC PD 42 to optical receiver 72 in optical component 68 (e.g., via optical paths 40, 64, 62, 66 and / or other optical paths). Control circuit 14 ( Figure 1 The optical receiver 72 can be used to convert the optical signal into other formats and recover (demodulate) the data carried by the THF signal 34 from the optical signal (e.g., from the sideband of the optical signal).

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

[0068] Figure 9 Only the components and operation of the phased antenna array 46 related to receiving the THF signal 34 are shown. Typically, the phased antenna array 46 also includes a data path 78 and a DAC 74 for use by each antenna 30 in transmitting the THF signal 32. Figures 6 to 8 However, for clarity, from Figure 9 These components are omitted from the text. Furthermore, Figure 9An example is shown where the UTC PD 42 for each antenna 30 converts the received THF signal 32 to an intermediate frequency, and then to the optical domain (e.g., as shown in the image). Figure 6 (As shown). This is merely illustrative, and if needed, the UTC PD 42 for each antenna 30 can convert the received THF signal 32 to the intermediate frequency without converting it to the optical domain (e.g., as shown). Figure 7 (as shown), or switch to the optical domain without switching to the intermediate frequency (e.g., as shown). Figure 8 (As shown).

[0069] like Figure 9 As shown, each signal path 28 receives optical local oscillator signals LO1 and LO2 from optical component 68. Each signal path 28 includes a corresponding optical phase shifter 80 inserted on a corresponding optical path 64 between the corresponding optical combiner 52 and the corresponding beam splitter 54 (e.g., signal path 28-1 may include optical phase shifter 80-1, signal path 28-2 may include optical phase shifter 80-2, signal path 28-3 may include optical phase shifter 80-3, etc.). Each optical phase shifter 80 may receive a control signal CTRL, which controls the phase S provided by the optical phase shifter to the optical local oscillator signal LO1. By adjusting the phase S applied by each optical phase shifter 80, the control circuit 14 ( Figure 1 The control circuit 14 can control each antenna 30 in the phased antenna array 46 to receive the THF signal 34 within the formed signal beam 90. The signal beam 90 can be oriented in a specific beam pointing direction (angle) 92 (e.g., the direction of the peak gain of the signal beam 90). The incident THF signal 34 can have a wavefront 88 orthogonal to the beam pointing direction 92. For example, the control circuit 14 can adjust the beam pointing direction 92 over time to point toward or away from external communication equipment or external objects. In this way, beamguiding operation can be integrated into signal paths 28, each for transmitting and receiving THF signals supporting extremely high data rates.

[0070] Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of wireless circuit 24 using one or more antennas 30 to transmit and receive THF signals. At operation 94, the LO light source 70 can begin generating optical local oscillator signals LO1 and LO2. Signal path 28 can then transmit the optical local oscillator signals to UTC PD 42.

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

[0072] At optional operation 98, control circuitry 14 can control optical phase shifter 80 to apply phase shift S to optical local oscillator signal LO1. Phase shift S can be selected such that multiple antennas 30 generate signal beams 90 oriented in corresponding beam pointing directions 92. Figure 9 If necessary, operation 98 can be omitted (e.g., in an example where only a single antenna 30 is transmitting a signal or beamguiding is not being performed).

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

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

[0075] At operation 104, UTC PD 42 can convert the modulated optical local oscillator signal LO2' and optical local oscillator signal LO1 into a THF signal 32 radiated into free space by the radiating element arm 36. For example, UTC PD 42 can use a first bias voltage V. 偏置 The difference between the modulated optical local oscillator signal LOC2' and the optical local oscillator signal LOC1 is converted into an antenna current on the radiating element arm 36, which is radiated into free space as a THF signal 32. The antenna current, and therefore the THF signal 32, can be at a frequency given by the frequency difference between the modulated optical local oscillator signal LOC2' and the optical local oscillator signal LOC1. The UTC-PD 42 can retain the modulation of the modulated optical local oscillator signal LOC2 in the radiated THF signal 32, thereby allowing the reception and retrieval of wireless data DAT at external communication devices.

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

[0077] At operation 108, the THF signal can generate an antenna current on radiating element arm 36. The UTC PD 42 can use the optical local oscillator signal LO1, the (unmodulated) optical local oscillator signal LO2, and the bias voltage V. 偏置 To convert the antenna current into an intermediate frequency signal SIGIF (e.g., in Figure 6 and Figure 7 (in the middle), or the antenna current can be directly sampled into the optical domain (e.g., in ...). Figure 8 (in the middle). The phase S of the first optical local oscillator signal LO1 can configure the antenna 30 in the phased antenna array 46 to receive the THF signal 34 within the signal beam 90 oriented in the selected pointing direction 92.

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

[0079] Figure 10 The examples provided are for illustrative purposes only. Operations 96, 98, 100, 102, and / or 104 may be performed simultaneously. Operations 106, 108, and / or 110 may be performed simultaneously. If necessary, operations 106-110 may be performed before operations 96 and 100-102. Operation 98 may be performed whenever a signal beam needs to be formed (guided) in a different beam pointing direction.

[0080] Device 10 may collect and / or use personally identifiable information. It is well known that the use of personally identifiable information should comply with privacy policies and practices generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for protecting user privacy. Specifically, personally identifiable information data should be managed and processed to minimize the risk of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly explained to the user. If necessary, the optical components described herein (e.g., MZM modulators, waveguides, phase shifters, UTC PDs, etc.) may be implemented in plasmonic technology.

[0081] The above text combined Figures 1 to 10 The methods and operations described (e.g., Figure 10The operations can be performed by components of device 10 using software, firmware, and / or hardware (e.g., dedicated circuitry or hardware). The software code used to perform these operations may be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (e.g., a tangible computer-readable storage medium) stored on one or more components of device 10 (e.g., ...). Figure 1 The storage circuit 16). This software code may sometimes be referred to as software, data, instructions, program instructions, or code. Non-transitory computer-readable storage media may include drives, non-volatile memory such as non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), removable flash drives or other removable media, other types of random access memory, etc. The software stored on the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may be processed by processing circuitry on one or more components of device 10 (e.g., Figure 1 The processing circuitry (e.g., 18) performs the execution. The processing circuitry may include a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) with processing circuitry, or other processing circuitry.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0095] According to another embodiment, the photodiode includes a single-line carrier photodiode (UTC PD).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Claims

1. A wireless circuit, comprising: a photodiode; a radiating element electrically coupled to the photodiode; and one or more optical paths configured to illuminate the photodiode with a first optical signal of a first wavelength and a second optical signal of a second wavelength; wherein: the photodiode is configured to receive a bias voltage, the bias voltage being adjustable to switch the radiating element between transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals.

2. The wireless circuit of claim 1, wherein the photodiode is configured to generate a current associated with the radio frequency signals on the radiating element based on the first and second optical signals.

3. The wireless circuit of claim 1, wherein the radiating element is configured to transmit the radio frequency signals when the bias voltage has a first magnitude and is configured to receive the radio frequency signals when the bias voltage has a second magnitude different from the first magnitude.

4. The wireless circuit of claim 1, wherein a frequency of the radio frequency signals corresponds to a difference between the first and second wavelengths.

5. The wireless circuit of claim 4, wherein the frequency is greater than or equal to 100 GHz.

6. The wireless circuit of claim 1, further comprising: an electro-optical modulator disposed on the one or more optical paths and configured to modulate wireless data onto the second optical signal.

7. The wireless circuit of claim 6, further comprising: an optical phase shifter disposed on the one or more optical paths and configured to apply an optical phase shift to the first optical signal.

8. The wireless circuit of claim 1, further comprising: an optical phase shifter disposed on the one or more optical paths and configured to apply an optical phase shift to the first optical signal.

9. The wireless circuit of claim 1, wherein the radiating element comprises a bowtie arm.

10. The wireless circuit of claim 1, wherein the photodiode comprises a single row carrier photodiode (UTC PD) having a bias terminal configured to receive the bias voltage.

11. A wireless circuit, comprising: a photodiode; an antenna arm electrically coupled to the photodiode; a first optical path optically coupled to the photodiode and configured to convey a first optical signal of a first wavelength; a second optical path optically coupled to the photodiode and configured to convey a second optical signal of a second wavelength; an analog-to-digital converter (ADC); and a signal path communicatively coupling the photodiode to the ADC.

12. The wireless circuit of claim 11, wherein the photodiode comprises a single row carrier photodiode (UTC PD). ​ ​ 13. The wireless circuit of claim 11, wherein the photodiode is configured to generate a current on the antenna arm, and the antenna arm is configured to radiate a radio frequency signal associated with the current.

14. The wireless circuit of claim 13, wherein a frequency of the current corresponds to a difference between the first wavelength and the second wavelength.

15. The wireless circuit of claim 11, further comprising: an optical modulator disposed on the second optical path and configured to modulate wireless data onto the second optical signal.

16. The wireless circuit of claim 11, further comprising: a low noise amplifier communicatively coupled between the ADC and the signal path.

17. A method of operating a wireless circuit, the method comprising: illuminating a photodiode with a first optical signal of a first wavelength and a second optical signal of a second wavelength; transmitting a radio frequency signal based on the first optical signal and the second optical signal using an antenna element electrically coupled to the photodiode; and switching the antenna element between transmitting and receiving the radio frequency signal by adjusting a bias voltage supplied to the photodiode.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: modulating wireless data onto the second optical signal using an optical modulator.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: applying an optical phase shift to the first optical signal using an optical phase shifter.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising: transmitting the radio frequency signal using the antenna element when the bias voltage has a first magnitude; and receiving the radio frequency signal using the antenna element when the bias voltage has a second magnitude. ​ ​

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