Photoelectric radio frequency switch

Abstract

The utility model relates to the field of microwave radio frequency, and discloses a photoelectric radio frequency switch, which comprises a laser, an optical switch and a photoelectric detector, the laser is connected with the optical switch, the optical switch is connected with the photoelectric detectors, the photoelectric detectors comprise a photoelectric detector I, a photoelectric detector II, a photoelectric detector III and a photoelectric detector IV, and the optical switch is connected with the photoelectric detector I, the photoelectric detector II, the photoelectric detector III and the photoelectric detector IV. The utility model has the following advantages and effects: high-frequency radio-frequency signals can be accurately processed, support is provided for high-speed data transmission and complex signal processing, the laser, the optical switch and the detector are tightly combined, and compared with a complex and precise mechanical switch, the size and the weight are greatly reduced, and the cost is reduced. The small-sized lightweight design not only saves the internal space of the equipment, but also is more convenient to integrate into portable and compact electronic equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of microwave radio frequency technology, and in particular to a photoelectric radio frequency switch. Background Technology

[0002] Radio frequency (RF) switches function similarly to ordinary electrical switches, switching input signals to different outputs, but are designed for radio frequency signals. Currently, existing RF switches mainly employ two mainstream technological approaches and their corresponding drawbacks:

[0003] Mechanical RF switches: These use electromagnets or MEMS technology to switch RF circuits. However, their mechanical mechanisms are complex and precise, resulting in a large size, making it difficult to achieve mass production and keeping costs high. This limits their application in some fields where cost and size are strictly required.

[0004] Solid-state RF switches: These switches use the switching function of diodes and transistors formed from semiconductor materials to achieve line switching. However, their bandwidth is limited, typically only covering the range of DC to 6GHz, which cannot meet the needs of some application scenarios that require high-frequency signal processing, such as high-speed communication and millimeter-wave radar.

[0005] Therefore, a photoelectric radio frequency switch needs to be designed to solve the above problems.

[0006] The information disclosed in this background section is intended only to enhance the understanding of the overall background of this utility model and should not be construed as an admission or in any way implying that the information constitutes prior art known to those skilled in the art. Utility Model Content

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide a photoelectric radio frequency switch to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0008] The above-mentioned technical objective of this utility model is achieved through the following technical solution: a photoelectric radio frequency switch, comprising:

[0009] Lasers, optical switches, and photodetectors;

[0010] The laser is connected to an optical switch, the optical switch is connected to a photodetector, and the photodetector includes photodetector one, photodetector two, photodetector three, and photodetector four. The optical switch is connected to photodetector one, photodetector two, photodetector three, and photodetector four.

[0011] A further feature of this invention is that the laser is provided with a radio frequency signal input port.

[0012] A further feature of this invention is that photodetector one, photodetector two, photodetector three, and photodetector four are respectively provided with electrical signal output port one, electrical signal output port two, electrical signal output port three, and electrical signal output port four.

[0013] A further feature of this invention is that a transimpedance amplifier is provided on the photodetector.

[0014] A further feature of this invention is that the laser is a direct-modulated laser or an externally modulated laser.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0016] 1. Traditional solid-state RF switches typically have bandwidth limited to DC to 6GHz, which is insufficient to meet the high-frequency application requirements of 5G communication, millimeter-wave radar, etc. This optoelectronic RF switch utilizes the wideband characteristics of lasers and detectors, with a bandwidth of up to DC to 70GHz. It can accurately process high-frequency RF signals, providing support for high-speed data transmission and complex signal processing, and filling the gap of traditional technology in the high-frequency field.

[0017] 2. By integrating a transimpedance amplifier into the photodetector, not only can 0dB insertion loss be achieved, but positive gain can also be provided as needed to effectively compensate for transmission loss in the signal link. Compared with traditional switches, this design significantly improves signal integrity and strength, reduces signal attenuation and distortion, ensures stable output of RF signals in long-distance, multi-level transmission, and improves the overall system performance.

[0018] 3. The microsecond-level switching speed of optical switches far exceeds that of mechanical switches, enabling rapid response to signal routing requirements. They are suitable for dynamic scenarios with extremely high real-time requirements, such as signal agile radar and software-defined radio. At the same time, optical switches have no moving mechanical parts, avoiding wear and fatigue problems, significantly extending switch life, significantly reducing equipment maintenance costs and downtime risks, and enhancing system reliability and stability.

[0019] 4. By adopting hybrid integration or monolithic integration technology, the laser, optical switch and detector are tightly integrated. Compared with complex and precise mechanical switches, the size and weight are greatly reduced. This small and lightweight design not only saves internal space of the equipment, but also makes it easier to integrate into portable and compact electronic devices, such as drone communication modules and small base stations, meeting the stringent requirements of modern electronic devices for space and power consumption.

[0020] 5. By configuring multiple photodetectors and multi-port optical switches, the single-input multi-output RF signal switching function can be realized to meet the multi-channel signal processing needs of complex systems. Combined with multi-wavelength laser technology, it can be further expanded into a multi-pole multi-throw switch, which is suitable for signal routing of communication base stations, multi-channel switching of test instruments and other scenarios, greatly improving the versatility and adaptability of the equipment and reducing system complexity and cost. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a photoelectric radio frequency switch proposed in this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0023] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation", "connection" and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal connection of two components. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model can be understood through the specific circumstances.

[0024] The technical solution of this utility model will now be clearly and completely described with reference to specific embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this utility model, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this utility model without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0025] See Figure 1 This utility model provides a photoelectric radio frequency switch, comprising:

[0026] Lasers, optical switches, and photodetectors;

[0027] The laser is connected to an optical switch, the optical switch is connected to a photodetector, and the photodetector includes photodetector one, photodetector two, photodetector three, and photodetector four. The optical switch is connected to photodetector one, photodetector two, photodetector three, and photodetector four.

[0028] The structure described above transmits the optical signal output from the optical switch to a photodetector. The photodetector converts the optical signal into a photocurrent, which is then amplified transimpedancely to form an electrical signal output. The optical switch then switches the laser carrying the radio frequency signal onto the target optical path. Different types of optical switches can be selected according to different application scenarios. Furthermore, if a multi-wavelength laser is used, multi-pole multi-throw functionality can be achieved, further expanding the application range of the switch.

[0029] Specifically, the laser is equipped with a radio frequency signal input port.

[0030] Specifically, photodetector 1, photodetector 2, photodetector 3, and photodetector 4 are respectively provided with electrical signal output port 1, electrical signal output port 2, electrical signal output port 3, and electrical signal output port 4.

[0031] Specifically, the photodetector is equipped with a transimpedance amplifier, and the laser is either a directly modulated laser or an externally modulated laser. It should be noted that the input radio frequency signal is modulated onto the laser using the laser to realize the conversion of the radio frequency signal from an electrical signal to an optical signal. The laser can be either a directly modulated laser or an externally modulated laser to adapt to different application requirements.

[0032] Working principle:

[0033] The input radio frequency (RF) signal is connected through the RF signal input port on the laser. The laser (directly modulated or externally modulated) modulates the RF electrical signal onto the laser beam, completing the conversion from electrical signal to optical signal. For example, a directly modulated laser can directly modulate the laser intensity by changing the injection current, so that the laser intensity changes with the amplitude of the RF signal, thereby loading the RF signal onto the laser carrier.

[0034] The modulated optical signal is transmitted to the optical switch through the optical path. The optical switch selects the target optical path according to the control signal and guides the optical signal to the corresponding photodetector (photodetector one to four). The switching of the optical switch can be based on MEMS technology, thermo-optic effect or electro-optic effect, etc. For example, the micromirror or waveguide structure inside the optical switch can be controlled by an electrical signal to realize the rapid switching of the optical signal between different output ports (the switching time can reach the microsecond level).

[0035] The optical signal output from the optical switch is incident on a photodetector (such as a PIN photodiode or avalanche photodiode). The photodetector converts the optical signal into a photocurrent. Since the photocurrent is usually weak, it needs to be amplified by a transimpedance amplifier (TIA) integrated in the detector. The transimpedance amplifier converts the photocurrent into a voltage signal and compensates for link loss through high-gain amplification to achieve 0dB insertion loss or even positive gain. The amplified electrical signal is transmitted to the subsequent circuit through electrical signal output ports one to four, completing the conversion and routing of the radio frequency signal from the optical domain to the electrical domain.

[0036] By setting up multiple photodetectors (such as four channels) and combining them with the multi-port switching capability of optical switches, a single-input multiple-output RF switch function can be realized. If a multi-wavelength laser is used, it can be further extended into a multi-pole multi-throw switch by multiplexing optical signals of different wavelengths, meeting the multi-signal switching requirements of complex RF systems.

[0037] The photoelectric radio frequency switch provided by this utility model has been described in detail above. Specific embodiments have been used to illustrate the principle and implementation of this utility model. The descriptions of the embodiments above are only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core idea of ​​this utility model. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made to this utility model without departing from the principle of this utility model, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the protection scope of the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. A photoelectric radio frequency switch, characterized in that, include: Lasers, optical switches, and photodetectors; The laser is connected to an optical switch, the optical switch is connected to a photodetector, and the photodetector includes photodetector one, photodetector two, photodetector three, and photodetector four. The optical switch is connected to photodetector one, photodetector two, photodetector three, and photodetector four.

2. The photoelectric radio frequency switch according to claim 1, characterized in that, The laser is equipped with a radio frequency signal input port.

3. The photoelectric radio frequency switch according to claim 1, characterized in that, The photodetector 1, photodetector 2, photodetector 3 and photodetector 4 are respectively provided with electrical signal output port 1, electrical signal output port 2, electrical signal output port 3 and electrical signal output port 4.

4. The photoelectric radio frequency switch according to claim 1, characterized in that, The photodetector is equipped with a transimpedance amplifier.

5. A photoelectric radio frequency switch according to claim 1, characterized in that, The laser is either a direct-tuned laser or an externally tuned laser.

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