Correlative Receiver for Real-Time Wideband Signal Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electronic processors are unable to perform real-time analysis of signals with bandwidth exceeding 1 GHz, which is necessary for applications such as high-capacity wireless communication, electronic warfare, and lightwave communication, due to limitations in precision and speed.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid photonic-electronic processor system that includes a tunable optical laser, fixed wavelength laser comb, optical modulators, dispersive elements, and optical detectors to perform correlative reception of radio-frequency signals, allowing for the generation of cross-ambiguity and spectral correlation functions in the photonic domain before digital conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional electronic processors are used for signal analysis, then computational complexity can be managed, but the system cannot perform real-time analysis of signals with bandwidth exceeding 1 GHz
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional electronic computational processing with optical domain processing. Optical components (modulators, detectors, dispersive elements) perform signal correlation and spectral analysis functions that would otherwise require complex electronic computations. This substitution enables real-time analysis of wideband signals beyond 1 GHz by leveraging the speed of light and optical parallel processing capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions signal processing from the electronic domain to the optical domain, adding a new dimension of processing capability. By encoding signals optically and using optical components for correlation and spectral analysis, the system achieves real-time processing of wideband signals that exceed the capabilities of conventional electronic processors in the traditional electronic domain.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If higher-order spectral analysis of the contiguous RF band is performed to identify and geolocate emitters, then detection capability improves, but computational requirements become unmanageable for conventional processors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes electronic computational algorithms with optical physical processes for performing higher-order spectral analysis. Optical correlators and spectral analyzers use physical optical interactions (interference, dispersion, modulation) to achieve emitter identification and geolocation functions that would otherwise require complex digital signal processing algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical components as intermediaries between the RF signals and the detection/analysis system. Optical modulators, detectors, and dispersive elements serve as intermediaries that transform and process signals in the optical domain, enabling complex spectral analysis without direct electronic computational processing.
3Speed
If real-time processing of wideband signals is implemented using conventional electronic architectures, then signal analysis speed improves, but the system lacks the precision required for high-capacity wireless communication applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electronic signal processing with optical processing to simultaneously achieve high speed and high precision. Optical components perform correlation and spectral analysis at the speed of light while providing the precision required for high-capacity wireless communication applications through controlled optical interactions and measurements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables real-time processing of radio-frequency signals with bandwidths larger than several hundred GHz, overcoming the computational limitations of conventional electronic architectures and enabling identification of modulation-specific features, emitter geolocation, and Doppler velocimetry.
Implementation Method 1
a first optical modulator configured to modulate the tunable optical carrier with a first of two input signals
Implementation Method 2
a dispersive element configured to provide a delay between the modulated tunable optical carrier and the modulated fixed wavelength optical carriers
Implementation Method 3
a first optical detector coupled to the dispersive element, a second optical detector coupled to the dispersive element
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a tunable optical carrier source configured to generate a tunable optical carrier and a fixed wavelength optical carrier source configured to generate a fixed wavelength optical carrier. The apparatus also includes first and second optical modulators configured to modulate the tunable optical carrier and the fixed wavelength optical carrier based on first and second of multiple input signals. The apparatus further includes a delay element configured to delay the modulated tunable optical carrier, first and second optical detectors coupled to the delay element, and third and fourth optical modulators coupled to the first and second optical detectors. In addition, the apparatus includes a wavelength division demultiplexer optically coupled to the third and fourth optical modulators, a plurality of optical 90-degree hybrid elements optically coupled to the wavelength division demultiplexer, and a plurality of optical detectors optically coupled to corresponding ones of the optical 90-degree hybrid elements.