Optical Beamforming Element for Simultaneous RF Up/Down Conversion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
As wireless systems operate at higher frequencies and bandwidths, electronic implementations of beamforming face challenges with phase-shift accuracy, excess loss, physical dimensions, weight, power consumption, cost, and electromagnetic interference, particularly in introducing precise time delays for antenna arrays.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of optical domain phase shifts for beamforming, where optical phase shifts are used to generate phase-shifted imprinted beams that interfere with first beams to produce interference beams, allowing for simultaneous RF up- and down-conversion and reducing the need for high-speed electrical components and precise optical filters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electronic implementations are used for beamforming at higher operating frequencies, then beamforming functionality is achieved, but phase-shift accuracy and excess loss worsen across the signal bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electronic beamforming implementations with optical domain implementations. Specifically, it uses optical phase shifters and optical modulators to achieve beamforming functionality, substituting the electronic system with an optical system that avoids the frequency-dependent losses and phase-shift accuracy issues of electronic components at higher operating frequencies
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating domain from electrical to optical by using optical carriers with different wavelengths (e.g., first wavelength for up-conversion, second wavelength for down-conversion). This parameter change allows the system to operate at higher frequencies without suffering from the electronic component limitations, as optical components do not exhibit the same frequency-dependent losses
2Ease of operation
If electronic beamforming components are used, then beamforming is achieved, but physical dimensions and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes heavy electronic beamforming components (such as electronic phase shifters, amplifiers, and signal processors) with compact optical components (optical phase shifters, modulators, and optical carriers). This substitution significantly reduces the physical dimensions and weight while maintaining beamforming capability
3Speed
If electronic beamforming systems operate at higher frequencies, then operating frequency increases, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces power-hungry electronic components that must operate at higher frequencies with optical components that consume less power. The optical system uses optical carriers and optical modulation techniques that are more energy-efficient at high frequencies, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining the ability to operate at higher frequencies
4Ease of operation
If electronic beamforming is implemented, then beamforming functionality is achieved, but electromagnetic interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes electronic signal processing with optical signal processing, replacing electrical signals with optical carriers. This substitution eliminates the electromagnetic interference inherent in electronic systems, as optical signals do not generate electromagnetic radiation in the same way electrical signals do, thereby removing the harmful electromagnetic interference while preserving beamforming functionality
5Measurement precision
If precise time delays are introduced for each antenna element, then beamforming accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electronic time delay devices with optical phase shifters that can introduce precise time delays through optical path length adjustments. The optical domain allows for precise delay control using simpler components such as optical delay lines and phase modulators, reducing device complexity while maintaining beamforming accuracy
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
This approach reduces energy consumption, cost, and physical space requirements while preventing performance degradation and fractional bandwidth issues, enabling efficient beamforming across increased operating frequencies.
Implementation Method 1
An electrical input signal provided to a modulator's electrical input is imprinted onto a second beam to form an imprinted beam
Implementation Method 2
The imprinted beam is provided to a phase shifter, which is configured to adjust the phase of the imprinted beam
Implementation Method 3
a multi-beam optical coupler configured to cause the first beam and the phase-shifted imprinted beam to interfere with one another to form an interference beam
Implementation Method 4
an optical-to-electrical converter configured to generate an electrical signal based on the interference beam
Data Source
AI summary
A beamforming element comprises an imprinting-shifting component configured to imprint an input signal onto a second beam to form an imprinted beam and adjust the optical phase of the imprinted beam; one or more multi-beam optical couplers configured to receive a phase-shifted imprinted beam and a first beam and form an interference beam from the combination thereof; and one or more optical-to-electrical converter components configured to receive an interference beam and generate an electrical signal based thereon that includes the beamforming time delay(s) and is frequency up/down-converted with respect to the input signal.