Optical Intensity-to-Phase Conversion for Simpler Optical A/D
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of configuring an optical A/D converter due to the difficulty of subtracting light with given intensity from light with some intensity, necessitating a means for efficiently converting optical intensity into optical phase information.
Innovation Solution
An optical intensity-to-phase converter is designed using first and second waveguides for input lights, with a common interaction region where the lights are multiplexed and interact, providing delay to output lights based on the intensity of the input lights, enabling a simple configuration for an optical A/D converter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If electrical A/D conversion is used after optical demodulation, then the conversion process is straightforward, but the overall system speed is limited by the electrical signal processing speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical A/D conversion system with an all-optical A/D conversion system. Instead of converting optical signals to electrical signals and then performing digital conversion, the invention performs A/D conversion directly in the optical domain using optical interferometers and optical detectors, thereby eliminating the speed bottleneck of electrical signal processing while maintaining conversion functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical phase information as an intermediary to represent analog optical signal intensity. By converting intensity information into phase differences through optical path length modulation, the system enables direct optical domain processing that avoids electrical conversion limitations
2Device complexity
If optical intensity-to-phase conversion is implemented to simplify optical A/D converter configuration, then the configuration becomes straightforward, but additional optical components and interaction regions are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the intensity-to-phase conversion function into the existing optical A/D converter structure by introducing a common interaction region that is shared by multiple waveguides. This shared region performs phase modulation for all channels simultaneously, reducing the number of separate components needed and simplifying the overall configuration while maintaining manufacturability
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 allows for a straightforward configuration of an optical A/D converter, enhancing the conversion process and improving spectral efficiency in optical communication systems by effectively utilizing phase information.
Implementation Method 1
an interaction region that is provided in common on the second and third waveguides in which the first and second input lights are multiplexed and interact
Data Source
AI summary
An optical intensity-to-phase converter according to the present invention includes first and second waveguides to which a first input light is input, a third waveguide to which a second input light is input, and an interaction region that is provided in common on the second and third waveguides in which the first and second input lights are multiplexed and interact. The optical intensity-to-phase converter provides delay to output lights output from the first and second waveguides based on intensity of the first or second input light. Then, it is possible to provide an optical intensity-to-phase converter that enables simple configuration of an optical A/D converter.