Broadband radio frequency signal replication device based on microwave photons
By using microwave photonics technology, radio frequency signals are converted into optical radio frequency signals and delayed and amplitude controlled using fiber optic rings. This solves the problem of low-latency, high-fidelity replication in digital methods and enables low-latency, high-fidelity, and high-bandwidth radio frequency signal replication.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SOUTHWEST CHINA RES INST OF ELECTRONICS EQUIP
- Filing Date
- 2026-03-09
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-19
AI Technical Summary
In existing technologies, when using digital methods to replicate radio frequency signals, there are challenges in achieving low-latency and high-fidelity replication. In particular, ultra-wideband signal replication requires a large amount of resources and the synchronization problem remains unsolved.
Using microwave photonics technology, radio frequency signals are converted into optical radio frequency signals through an electro-optical conversion module. Adjustable delay and replication are achieved by using optical switches and fiber optic rings of different lengths. Then, the optical-to-electrical conversion module converts the optical radio frequency signals back into radio frequency signals.
It achieves low-latency, high-fidelity, and high-bandwidth RF signal replication, and can adjust the delay and amplitude of the replicated signal.
Smart Images
Figure CN122247514A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of microwave photonics, and more specifically, to a broadband radio frequency signal replication device based on microwave photonics. Background Technology
[0002] Currently, the primary method for replicating radio frequency (RF) signals, both domestically and internationally, utilizes digital acquisition and storage. Specifically, a high-speed analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is used to rapidly acquire and convert the input RF signal into a digital signal. This quantized data is then stored in a storage device. Finally, a high-speed digital-to-analog converter (DAC) is used to reconstruct the RF signal from the digital signal and transmit it, thus enabling multiple replications of the input RF signal. However, this digital method is limited by factors such as the quantization bit depth, acquisition rate, processing bandwidth, and storage capacity of the ADC and DAC, making it impossible to achieve low-latency, high-fidelity replication of RF signals. Furthermore, replicating ultra-wideband RF signals requires significant software and hardware resources and presents several technical challenges related to processing core synchronization. Summary of the Invention
[0003] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention aims to provide a broadband radio frequency signal replication device based on microwave photonics, which has the technical advantages of achieving high-fidelity, low-delay, and large-bandwidth radio frequency signal replication, while also enabling adjustment of the replication signal delay time interval and the replication signal amplitude.
[0004] The present invention provides a broadband radio frequency signal replication device based on microwave photonics, comprising an electro-optical conversion module, a signal replication module, and an optical-electrical conversion module connected sequentially by optical fibers; The electro-optical conversion module is used to convert the input radio frequency signal into an optical radio frequency signal; The signal replication module is used to perform adjustable delay and adjustable feedback amplification on the optical carrier radio frequency signal, thereby forming a series of replicated optical carrier signals with adjustable amplitude and time. The photoelectric conversion module is used to convert the copied optical carrier signal into a copied radio frequency signal and output it.
[0005] In a preferred embodiment, the electro-optical conversion module includes an input microwave channel, a laser, and a modulator; the input microwave channel is connected to the radio frequency port of the modulator, and the laser is connected to the optical input port of the modulator.
[0006] In a preferred embodiment, the signal replication module includes an optical combiner, an optical circulator, an optical splitter, an optical amplifier, a 1×N optical switch, N fiber optic rings, and N optical reflectors. The two input ports of the optical combiner are connected to the output ports of the modulator and the optical amplifier, respectively. The output port of the optical combiner is connected to port a of the optical circulator. Port b of the optical circulator is connected to the 1×N optical switch. Port c of the optical circulator is connected to the input port of the optical splitter. The two output ports of the optical splitter are connected to the input ports of the optical amplifier and the detector of the photoelectric conversion module, respectively. The N output ports of the 1×N optical switch are connected to the N fiber optic rings, and the N fiber optic rings are correspondingly connected to the N optical reflectors.
[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the photoelectric conversion module includes a detector and an output microwave channel. The input port of the photodetector is connected to one output port of the optical splitter of the signal replication module, and the radio frequency output port of the photodetector is connected to the output microwave channel.
[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the input microwave channel integrates a first microwave amplifier, a first detector, and a first adjustable microwave filter; the first microwave amplifier is used to amplify the input radio frequency signal; the first detector is used to detect the input radio frequency signal; and the first adjustable microwave filter is used to perform frequency selection processing on the input radio frequency signal.
[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the laser is a semiconductor laser or an external cavity laser.
[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the modulator is a Mach-Zehnder modulator.
[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the optical amplifier is preferably an erbium-doped fiber amplifier.
[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the detector is a radio frequency signal photodetector, which is a semiconductor detector.
[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the output microwave channel incorporates a second microwave amplifier, a second detector, and a second adjustable microwave filter; the second microwave amplifier amplifies the copied radio frequency signal; the second detector detects the copied radio frequency signal; and the second adjustable microwave filter performs frequency selection processing on the copied radio frequency signal.
[0014] In summary, due to the adoption of the above technical solution, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: This invention utilizes the broadband characteristics of microwave photons to directly convert radio frequency (RF) signals into optical RF signals. By combining an optical switch and N sets of fiber optic rings of varying lengths, it achieves adjustable delay and replication of the optical RF signals. A detector then converts the optical RF signals back into RF signals. Compared to digital processing methods, this invention features low latency, high fidelity, and a large RF bandwidth, while also allowing for adjustment of the replication signal's delay time and amplitude. Attached Figure Description
[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a broadband radio frequency signal replication device based on microwave photonics, provided in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the result of radio frequency signal replication using a broadband radio frequency signal replication device based on microwave photonics, as provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation
[0017] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.
[0018] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the invention.
[0019] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment of the invention provides a broadband radio frequency signal replication device based on microwave photonics, including an electro-optical conversion module, a signal replication module, and an optical-electrical conversion module connected in sequence via optical fibers; The electro-optical conversion module is used to convert the input radio frequency signal into an optical radio frequency signal; The signal replication module is used to perform adjustable delay and adjustable feedback amplification on the optical carrier radio frequency signal, thereby forming a series of replicated optical carrier signals with adjustable amplitude and time. The photoelectric conversion module is used to convert the copied optical carrier signal into a copied radio frequency signal and output it.
[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the electro-optical conversion module, the signal replication module, and the opto-electrical conversion module are configured as follows: The electro-optical conversion module includes an input microwave channel, a laser, and a modulator; the input microwave channel is connected to the radio frequency port of the modulator, and the laser is connected to the optical input port of the modulator; The signal replication module includes an optical combiner, an optical circulator, an optical splitter, an optical amplifier, a 1×N optical switch, N fiber optic rings, and N optical reflectors. The two input ports of the optical combiner are connected to the output ports of the modulator and the optical amplifier, respectively. The output port of the optical combiner is connected to port a of the optical circulator. Port b of the optical circulator is connected to the 1×N optical switch. Port c of the optical circulator is connected to the input port of the optical splitter. The two output ports of the optical splitter are connected to the input ports of the optical amplifier and the detector of the photoelectric conversion module, respectively. The N output ports of the 1×N optical switch are connected to the N fiber optic rings, and the N fiber optic rings are correspondingly connected to the N optical reflectors.
[0021] The photoelectric conversion module includes a detector and an output microwave channel. The input port of the photodetector is connected to one output port of the optical splitter of the signal replication module, and the radio frequency output port of the photodetector is connected to the output microwave channel.
[0022] The working principle of the above-mentioned broadband radio frequency signal replication device based on microwave photonics is as follows: In the electro-optical conversion module, the input radio frequency (RF) signal is processed by the input microwave channel and then injected into the modulator to be converted into an optical carrier RF signal. The optical signal output from the laser is injected into the optical input terminal of the modulator as the optical carrier signal of the microwave photonic link. The signal replication module realizes multiple replications of the optical carrier RF signal and controls the amplitude and time interval of each replication. Specifically, after the optical carrier RF signal enters the optical combiner, it passes through an optical loop composed of an optical circulator, a 1×N optical switch, N fiber rings, and N optical reflectors to achieve the time interval control of the optical carrier RF signal. Then, it passes through an optical power divider and an optical amplifier to complete the amplitude control of the replicated optical carrier signal. In the optical-electrical conversion module, the replicated optical carrier signal is converted into an RF signal by the detector and then processed by the output microwave channel before being output, thereby realizing the replication of the RF signal and the control of the amplitude and time interval of the replicated RF signal.
[0023] In this embodiment of the invention, the input microwave channel incorporates a first microwave amplifier, a first detector, and a first adjustable microwave filter; the first microwave amplifier amplifies the input radio frequency signal; the first detector detects the input radio frequency signal; and the first adjustable microwave filter performs frequency selection processing on the input radio frequency signal to reduce link noise.
[0024] In this embodiment of the invention, the laser is preferably a semiconductor laser or an external cavity laser, used to provide the optical carrier signal of the microwave photonic link.
[0025] In this embodiment of the invention, the modulator is preferably a Mach-Zehnder modulator.
[0026] In this embodiment of the invention, the optical combiner is used to combine the two optical signals input from the modulator and the optical amplifier and then output them.
[0027] In this embodiment of the invention, the optical signal input from port a of the optical circulator is output from port b, and the optical signal input from port b is output from port c.
[0028] In this embodiment of the invention, the optical amplifier is preferably an erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) to provide gain compensation for the optical path fed back by the optical splitter, thereby achieving amplitude adjustment of the replicated radio frequency signal.
[0029] In this embodiment of the invention, the optical splitter is used to decompose the optical signal input from the optical circulator into two paths and output them as a detector and an optical amplifier, respectively.
[0030] In this embodiment of the invention, the 1×N optical switch is used to switch N fiber ring channels, thereby achieving the adjustment of the time interval of the replicated signal.
[0031] In this embodiment of the invention, the N fiber rings have different lengths, which are used to achieve a time delay effect on the optical signal.
[0032] In this embodiment of the invention, the N light reflectors are used to reflect light signals.
[0033] In this embodiment of the invention, the detector is a radio frequency signal photodetector, preferably a semiconductor detector, used to convert the replicated optical carrier signal into a replicated radio frequency signal.
[0034] In this embodiment of the invention, the output microwave channel incorporates a second microwave amplifier, a second detector, and a second adjustable microwave filter; the second microwave amplifier amplifies the copied radio frequency signal; the second detector detects the copied radio frequency signal; and the second adjustable microwave filter performs frequency selection processing on the copied radio frequency signal to reduce link noise.
[0035] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the result of radio frequency signal replication performed by the microwave photonics-based broadband radio frequency signal replication device described in this invention. Figure 2As can be seen from the present invention, effective replication of the input radio frequency signal is achieved. The replication results correspond to replication signal 1, replication signal 2, replication signal 3, replication signal 4, and replication signal N, respectively. Furthermore, the device based on the present invention achieves effective control of the amplitude and delay of each replication signal. The control effects correspond to the delay t1 and amplitude a1 of replication signal 1, the delay t2 and amplitude a2 of replication signal 2, the delay t3 and amplitude a3 of replication signal 3, and the delay t4 and amplitude a4 of replication signal 4, respectively.
[0036] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. Various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.
Claims
1. A broadband radio frequency signal replication device based on microwave photonics, characterized in that, This includes an electro-optical conversion module, a signal replication module, and an optical-electrical conversion module connected sequentially via optical fibers; The electro-optical conversion module is used to convert the input radio frequency signal into an optical radio frequency signal; The signal replication module is used to perform adjustable delay and adjustable feedback amplification on the optical carrier radio frequency signal, thereby forming a series of replicated optical carrier signals with adjustable amplitude and time. The photoelectric conversion module is used to convert the copied optical carrier signal into a copied radio frequency signal and output it.
2. The broadband radio frequency signal replication device based on microwave photonics according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electro-optical conversion module includes an input microwave channel, a laser, and a modulator; The input microwave channel is connected to the modulator's radio frequency port, and the laser is connected to the modulator's optical input port.
3. The broadband radio frequency signal replication device based on microwave photonics according to claim 2, characterized in that, The input microwave channel incorporates a first microwave amplifier, a first detector, and a first adjustable microwave filter. The first microwave amplifier is used to amplify the input radio frequency signal; the first detector is used to detect the input radio frequency signal; and the first adjustable microwave filter is used to perform frequency selection processing on the input radio frequency signal.
4. The broadband radio frequency signal replication device based on microwave photonics according to claim 2, characterized in that, The laser is a semiconductor laser or an external cavity laser.
5. The broadband radio frequency signal replication device based on microwave photonics according to claim 2, characterized in that, The modulator is a Mach-Zehnder type modulator.
6. The broadband radio frequency signal replication device based on microwave photonics according to claim 1, characterized in that, The signal replication module includes an optical combiner, an optical circulator, an optical splitter, an optical amplifier, a 1×N optical switch, N fiber optic rings, and N optical reflectors. The two input ports of the optical combiner are connected to the output ports of the modulator and the optical amplifier, respectively. The output port of the optical combiner is connected to port a of the optical circulator. Port b of the optical circulator is connected to the 1×N optical switch. Port c of the optical circulator is connected to the input port of the optical splitter. The two output ports of the optical splitter are connected to the input ports of the optical amplifier and the detector of the photoelectric conversion module, respectively. The N output ports of the 1×N optical switch are connected to the N fiber optic rings, and the N fiber optic rings are correspondingly connected to the N optical reflectors.
7. The broadband radio frequency signal replication device based on microwave photonics according to claim 6, characterized in that, The optical amplifier is preferably an erbium-doped fiber amplifier.
8. The broadband radio frequency signal replication device based on microwave photonics according to claim 6, characterized in that, The photoelectric conversion module includes a detector and an output microwave channel. The input port of the photodetector is connected to one output port of the optical splitter of the signal replication module, and the radio frequency output port of the photodetector is connected to the output microwave channel.
9. The broadband radio frequency signal replication device based on microwave photonics according to claim 8, characterized in that, The detector is a radio frequency signal photodetector, which is a semiconductor detector.
10. The broadband radio frequency signal replication device based on microwave photonics according to claim 8, characterized in that, The output microwave channel incorporates a second microwave amplifier, a second detector, and a second adjustable microwave filter. The second microwave amplifier is used to amplify the copied radio frequency signal; the second detector is used to detect the copied radio frequency signal; and the second adjustable microwave filter is used to perform frequency selection processing on the copied radio frequency signal.