Optical Clock Signal Delay Tuning in Optoelectronic Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical and optoelectronic systems face challenges in achieving precise signal delay times due to manufacturing tolerances, refractive index variations, and thermal gradients, leading to inaccuracies in sampling and switching times, which result in undesirable secondary signal lines.
Innovation Solution
An optoelectronic circuit with an adjustable optical line, potentially heated or equipped with Kerr or Pockels cells, allows for precise adjustment of signal delay times by varying the optical length, compensating for component tolerances and thermal effects without additional components, and includes a control device for fine-tuning sampling or switching times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If fixed optical paths are used without adjustment, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing tolerances and thermal gradients cause delay time inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces adjustable optical elements (heating elements, Kerr cells, Pockels cells) that enable dynamic adjustment of the optical path length and refractive index. This allows the delay time to be tuned after manufacturing to compensate for tolerances and thermal effects, resolving the contradiction between fixed结构简单性 and precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters of the optical path by varying temperature (through heating elements) or applying electric fields (through Kerr/Pockels cells) to modify the refractive index and optical length. This enables precise control of delay time without changing the physical structure, achieving high precision while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
2Manufacturing precision
If heating elements are added to adjust optical length, then delay time precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides dynamic adjustment capability through heating elements and electro-optic cells, allowing the system to achieve precise delay time control only when needed, rather than requiring continuous energy input. The adjustable elements enable on-demand tuning to compensate for thermal drift and manufacturing variations.
3Measurement precision
If multiple adjustable elements are added to each optical path, then delay time control precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves precise delay time control by changing physical parameters (temperature, refractive index) of existing optical path components rather than adding multiple discrete adjustable elements. This approach achieves high precision sampling time control while avoiding the complexity and cost of multiple separate adjustment mechanisms in each optical path.
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 solution enables high-precision adjustment of signal delay times, improving sampling and switching accuracy, and compensating for temperature gradients, thereby enhancing the overall system performance by eliminating inaccuracies and secondary signal lines.
Implementation Method 1
The optical line then provides at least one heating element for heating the optical line. The optical length of the optical line can be adjusted in order to adjust the delay time by heating of the optical line.
Implementation Method 2
the optoelectronic circuit provides a Kerr cell or a Pockels cell connected in series to the optical line as an adjustable optical element. The delay time can then be adjusted by adjusting the optical length of the Kerr cell or the Pockels cell.
Implementation Method 3
the optoelectronic circuit provides a Kerr cell or a Pockels cell connected in series to the optical line as an adjustable optical element. The delay time can then be adjusted by adjusting the optical length of the Kerr cell or the Pockels cell.
Data Source
AI summary
An optoelectronic circuit for transmitting an optical clock signal to an electronic component contains a clock-generating device for the generation of an optical clock signal, a converter element for the conversion of the optical clock signal into an electrical clock signal supplied to the electronic component and an optical line from the clock-generating device to the conversion element. The optoelectronic circuit in this context provides a delay time of the optical clock signal from the clock-generating device to the conversion element. The optoelectronic circuit accordingly comprises an adjustable optical element for adjusting the delay time between the clock-generating device and the electronic component.