Frequency Comb Pulse Sequencing for Fine Spacing and High SNR
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing frequency comb generating devices face a trade-off between achieving a high signal-to-noise ratio and generating a fine frequency comb, as high power levels require high pulse frequencies in the time domain, while fine frequency combs necessitate low pulse frequencies, which are inversely proportional.
Innovation Solution
A frequency comb generating device comprising a pulsed optical light source, a sequence generator, and a switching unit, where the sequence generator produces a repeating sequence signal to synchronize the pulsed optical light source, allowing for high power levels and fine frequency combs with a high signal-to-noise ratio by controlling the intervals between electromagnetic wave packets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pulse frequency in time domain is increased to achieve high power level, then the signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but the frequency interval between peaks in frequency domain increases, resulting in a coarse frequency comb
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using a repeating sequence signal with a period that is an integer multiple of the pulse frequency period. This causes the electromagnetic wave packets to be emitted periodically at controlled intervals, creating a frequency comb structure where the frequency interval is determined by the sequence period rather than the pulse frequency. This resolves the contradiction by allowing high pulse frequency (for high power) while maintaining fine frequency intervals through the longer sequence period.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamics by making the emission intervals of electromagnetic wave packets variable and controllable through the sequence signal. The switching unit dynamically adjusts when wave packets are emitted based on the sequence signal timing, allowing optimization of both power level and frequency comb fineness. The system transitions from static fixed-interval emission to dynamic controlled-interval emission, resolving the trade-off between power and precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If the pulse frequency in time domain is decreased to achieve fine frequency comb, then the frequency interval between peaks is reduced, but the power level decreases, resulting in low signal-to-noise ratio
Solution Approach 1:
The repeating sequence signal provides periodic action with a period longer than the individual pulse period. This creates a hierarchical time structure where high-frequency pulses occur within a lower-frequency sequence framework. The result is fine frequency comb intervals (from the long sequence period) combined with high power levels (from the high pulse frequency within each sequence period).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the emission process into multiple discrete electromagnetic wave packets separated by controlled intervals. Rather than continuous emission or simple periodic emission, the sequence signal segments the time domain into specific emission windows and silent periods. This segmentation allows accumulation of energy in high-power pulses while maintaining fine frequency resolution through the overall sequence structure.
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
The device achieves a fine electrical frequency comb with a high signal-to-noise ratio by synchronizing the pulsed optical light source with the sequence generator, enabling reduced intervals between Dirac functions in the frequency domain while maintaining high power levels.
Implementation Method 1
a pulsed optical light source (12) configured to generate electromagnetic wave packets
Implementation Method 2
a light receiving unit (14) configured to receive the electromagnetic wave packets and to convert the electromagnetic wave packets into an electrical signal
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A frequency comb generating device (10) is described. The frequency comb generating device (10) comprises a pulsed optical light source (12), a sequence generator (16), a light receiving unit (14) and a switching unit (18). The sequence generator (16) is configured to generate a repeating sequence signal and to forward the repeating sequence signal at least to the switching unit (18). The pulsed optical light source (12) is configured to generate electromagnetic wave packets and is synchronized with the sequence generator (16). The light receiving unit (14) is configured to receive the electromagnetic wave packets and to convert the electromagnetic wave packets into an electrical signal. The switching unit (18) is configured to at least one of control the pulsed optical light source (12), control the light receiving unit (14), attenuate the electromagnetic wave packets, phase shift the electromagnetic wave packets, attenuate the electrical signal, and phase shift the electrical signal based on the repeating sequence signal. Moreover, methods for generating an optical frequency comb and for generating an electrical frequency comb are described.