Optical Frequency Up-conversion System for High-Speed Data Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network architectures, including coaxial cables and twisted pair cables, fail to meet the requirements for high-speed data and high-definition video transmission, and the increasing bandwidth in wireless communication systems necessitate more efficient frequency up-conversion methods to reduce system complexity and construction costs.
Innovation Solution
A frequency up-conversion system comprising an optical splitter, an optical modulator, an optical phase shifter, and an optical coupler connected in parallel, which splits and modulates an input wave to generate a modulation wave, shifts the wave by a predetermined phase, and couples the waves to produce an optical output wave, effectively quadrupling or quintupling the frequency without the need for filters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional network architectures using coaxial cable and twisted pair cable are used, then existing infrastructure can be maintained, but high-speed data and high-definition video transmission requirements cannot be met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical signal transmission through coaxial/twisted pair cables with optical signal transmission through optical fibers. The electrical devices are substituted with optical devices (laser source, optical modulator, optical phase shifter, photodetector) that operate at optical frequencies, enabling high-speed transmission while reducing system complexity through the use of standard optical fiber infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating frequency parameter from electrical domain (RF/microwave frequencies) to optical domain (hundreds of THz). This parameter change enables transmission speeds that meet high-definition video and high-speed data requirements while utilizing the low-loss properties of optical fibers for extended service areas.
2Productivity
If carrier frequency is increased to meet bandwidth requirements, then transmission bandwidth increases, but transmission distance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes electrical signal transmission with optical signal transmission. Optical fibers exhibit significantly lower attenuation compared to electrical cables, especially at optical frequencies. This substitution allows high bandwidth transmission over extended distances by leveraging the low-loss property of optical fibers, resolving the trade-off between bandwidth and transmission distance.
3Speed
If all devices at transmitting end operate at high frequency to generate high frequency wireless signal, then high frequency transmission is achieved, but system complexity and construction cost dramatically increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces optical fiber as an intermediary transmission medium. Instead of generating and transmitting high-frequency wireless signals directly through electrical devices over long distances, the system uses optical fibers as an intermediary to carry the signal to the desired area, where it is then converted back to electrical form for wireless transmission. This intermediary approach allows the use of lower-frequency electrical devices while achieving high-frequency transmission capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces high-frequency electrical oscillators and amplifiers with optical-frequency devices (laser source operating at hundreds of THz). The optical modulator modulates the optical carrier at the desired radio frequency, and the optical phase shifter adjusts the phase. This substitution eliminates the need for complex high-frequency electrical circuits while achieving the required transmission frequency.
4Speed
If double frequency up-conversion is implemented using special RoF optical transmitter design, then operation frequency of electrical devices is decreased, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the frequency up-conversion process into distinct functional stages: (1) optical modulation stage where the optical carrier is modulated by the RF signal, (2) optical phase shifting stage where the phase is adjusted by a predetermined amount, and (3) optical coupling stage where the modulated and phase-shifted signals are combined. This segmentation allows each component to operate at optimized frequencies while achieving the overall frequency multiplication effect.
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 solution reduces the operational frequency and complexity of electrical devices at the transmitting end, decreasing system complexity and construction costs while enabling high-frequency transmission, such as 60 GHz, using low-frequency devices and extending the service area of wireless networks.
Implementation Method 1
an optical modulator configured to modulate the first optical wave based on an electrical wave to generate a modulation wave
Implementation Method 2
an optical phase shifter configured to shift the second optical wave by a predetermined phase to generate a shifting wave
Implementation Method 3
an optical coupler configured to couple the modulation wave and the shifting wave to generate an optical output wave
Data Source
AI summary
A frequency up-conversion system includes an optical splitter, an optical modulator, an optical phase-shifter, and an optical coupler. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the optical splitter is configured to split an optical wave into a first optical wave and a second optical wave, the optical modulator is configured to modulate the first optical wave to form a modulation wave, the optical phase-shifter is configured to shift the phase of the second optical wave by a predetermined phase to form a shifting wave, and the optical coupler is configured to couple the modulation wave and the shifting wave. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the optical modulator and the optical phase-shifter are connected in a parallel manner.