Coherent Sampling for Optical Phase Fluctuation Measurement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring high-frequency optical signals struggle to capture phase fluctuations due to the need for high-speed sampling, which is costly and difficult to implement, especially when low-speed sampling is performed, leading to inability to measure optical phase fluctuations effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that achieve statistically accurate capture of amplitude, phase, and frequency fluctuations by sampling at a repetition period of half or less than the signal's frequency band, using main and sub-sampling points to obtain differences and ratios, and employing these to calculate fluctuations, even at low speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-speed sampling is performed to capture optical phase fluctuations, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sampling process into two distinct stages: coarse sampling at a lower rate to capture general signal characteristics, and fine sampling at a higher rate to capture detailed phase fluctuations. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high measurement precision for phase fluctuations without requiring the entire system to operate at high speed, thereby reducing device complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary coarse sampling to obtain an initial understanding of the signal characteristics and identify regions of interest. Based on this preliminary information, the system then directs high-speed fine sampling only to the relevant portions, avoiding the need for continuous high-speed sampling across the entire signal, thus reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If high-speed sampling is performed to capture optical phase fluctuations, then measurement precision is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sampling operations into coarse and fine sampling modes, allowing the use of lower-cost, lower-speed sampling hardware for the majority of the measurement process. Only brief intervals require high-speed sampling capability, reducing the overall cost burden while maintaining the ability to capture phase fluctuations when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies fine sampling at high speed only partially, specifically only during intervals when phase fluctuations are detected or expected based on the coarse sampling data. This partial application of high-speed sampling reduces the cumulative cost burden compared to continuous high-speed sampling, while still achieving the necessary measurement precision for phase fluctuation analysis.
3Ease of operation
If low-speed sampling is performed to reduce device complexity, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic sampling system that automatically adjusts the sampling rate based on the detected signal characteristics. During periods of stable signal conditions, the system operates in low-speed coarse sampling mode for ease of operation. When phase fluctuations are detected, the system dynamically switches to high-speed fine sampling mode to maintain measurement precision, thus combining the advantages of both approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the results of coarse sampling are used to control and adjust the fine sampling process. The coarse sampling data provides feedback about signal characteristics that trigger or modulate the high-speed fine sampling, ensuring measurement precision is maintained only when necessary, thereby improving ease of operation while preserving measurement capability.
4Device complexity
If low-speed sampling is performed to reduce device complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sampling function into two specialized components: a coarse sampling subsystem with lower complexity for general signal tracking, and a fine sampling subsystem with higher precision capability activated only when needed. This segmentation allows the majority of the system to maintain low complexity while preserving the option to achieve high measurement precision when phase fluctuations require detailed analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the sampling system to perform multiple functions using a unified architecture that can operate in both coarse and fine sampling modes. This multi-functionality allows a single system to handle both low-complexity general monitoring and high-precision phase fluctuation measurement, reducing overall device complexity compared to having separate dedicated systems for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
To realize sampling (signal measurement) and analysis of a signal to be measured easily at low cost by capturing optical phase fluctuation even when low-speed sampling is carried out. This sampling method includes: a step for acquiring main sampling points at a repetition period equal to or less than a half of the band frequency of a signal to be measured; a step for acquiring sub-sampling points by executing sampling separately from that executed for the main sampling points; a step for acquiring an amplitude difference, a phase difference, and a frequency difference between the signal to be measured at each of the sub-sampling points and a reference signal; a step for acquiring a time difference, an amplitude difference (ΔA), a phase difference (Δφ), and a frequency difference (Δf) between each of the main sampling points and each of the sub-sampling points; and a step for acquiring the amplitude fluctuation, the phase fluctuation, and the frequency fluctuation of the signal to be measured by using the time difference (Δt), the amplitude difference (ΔA), the phase difference (Δφ), and the frequency difference (Δf) between each of the main sampling points and each of the sub-sampling points.