Optical Fourier Feedback Loop for Low-Power Signal Multiplication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical multiplication techniques require high-intensity light and non-linear optical materials, making them unsuitable for low-power applications, and existing electronic microprocessor-based systems suffer from latency issues in processing optical fields.
Innovation Solution
An optical processing system with an electronics feedback loop that modulates optical signals using an optical Fourier transform stage, interferometers, and photodetectors to achieve multiplication, convolutions, and phase shifts efficiently, reducing the need for complex optical stages and enabling low-power operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If non-linear optical materials are used for optical multiplication, then optical fields can be multiplied, but high intensity light is required which makes the system unsuitable for low-power applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces non-linear optical materials with linear optical components (modulators, photodetectors, and feedback circuits) to achieve optical multiplication. Instead of relying on the non-linear response of optical materials, the system uses electronic modulation of optical signals through feedback control, enabling low-power operation while maintaining multiplication capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electronic feedback loop that measures the output of the optical multiplication process and uses this information to control the modulators. This feedback mechanism enables the system to achieve accurate optical multiplication at low power by continuously adjusting the modulation parameters based on the actual output.
2Loss of time
If electronic microprocessor-based systems are used for optical multiplication, then low-power operation is achieved, but latency problems occur in processing optical fields
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous optical processing through the feedback loop that operates in real-time as optical signals pass through the system. Instead of discrete microprocessor processing steps that introduce latency, the system maintains continuous modulation and detection, eliminating processing delays while consuming minimal power.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces sequential microprocessor-based digital processing with parallel optical processing and continuous electronic feedback. This substitution eliminates the step-by-step processing latency inherent in microprocessors while maintaining low-power operation through efficient optical-modulator-photodetector cycles.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex optical stages (4 f optical stages) are used for optical processing, then processing capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary optical components from complex 4f stages, retaining only the essential elements needed for the feedback-based multiplication process. By removing redundant optical stages, the system achieves the same processing capability with significantly reduced complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses electronic feedback to compensate for and simplify the optical processing requirements. The feedback loop continuously adjusts the modulation parameters to achieve accurate multiplication, replacing the need for complex optical stages with a simpler system that relies on intelligent electronic control.
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 system allows for low-power optical multiplication with reduced latency by electronically measuring and feeding back intensity and phase information to modulate subsequent optical signals, overcoming the limitations of prior art systems.
Implementation Method 1
an optical Fourier transform stage; one or more modulators provided between said optical input and said optical Fourier transform stage
Implementation Method 2
one or more photodetectors for receiving a reference optical signal to provide currents and/or voltages relating to the intensities and/or phases of the reference optical signal
Implementation Method 3
said system further comprising an electronics feedback loop which feeds back the currents and/or voltages and causes said modulators to modulate the intensities and/or phases of a subsequent optical signal
Implementation Method 4
at least one of the modulators comprises an interferometer with a first branch for optically encoding a signed Real value and with a second branch for optically encoding a signed Imaginary value
Data Source
AI summary
An optical processing system comprises an Optical Fourier transform stage; and one or more photodetectors for receiving a reference optical signal to provide currents and/or voltages relating to the intensities and/or phases of the reference optical signal; the system further comprising an electronics feedback loop which feeds back the currents and/or voltages and modulates the intensities and/or phases of a subsequent optical signal.