Optical Resonator Arrays With Phase Modulation for Synchronous Conversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional analog-to-digital converters face performance limitations such as increased power consumption, aperture jitter, and comparator ambiguity, especially at high signal frequencies, and electronic signal processing elements for neuromorphic computing are hindered by interconnect bandwidth limitations and power consumption.

Innovation Solution

Employing an array of optical resonators with different resonance conditions and modulation elements that interact with input signals to synchronously output a digital signal, using thermo-optic or metal-to-insulator materials to introduce phase shifts and compensate for detuned resonances, enabling high-speed optical signal conversion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If conventional electronic ADCs are used to increase sampling speed, then processing speed is improved, but power consumption increases and aperture jitter increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesampling speedVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electronic signal processing with optical signal processing. Optical resonators and modulation elements process signals in the optical domain, eliminating the need for high-speed electronic comparators and reducing power consumption while maintaining high sampling speeds through optical resonance phenomena.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operating domain from electrical to optical parameters. By using optical resonators with specific resonance conditions and modulation elements that introduce phase shifts, the system achieves high-speed conversion without the power consumption and aperture jitter limitations of electronic ADCs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If conventional electronic ADCs are used to increase sampling speed, then processing speed is improved, but aperture jitter increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesampling speedVSAvoidaperture jitter

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes electronic timing and comparison mechanisms with optical resonance-based signal processing. Optical resonators provide stable resonance conditions that eliminate aperture jitter, while modulation elements enable precise phase control for high-speed conversion without timing uncertainties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If electronic signal processing is used for neuromorphic computing, then computing capability is improved, but interconnect bandwidth is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomputing capabilityVSAvoidinterconnect bandwidth

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electronic interconnects with optical interconnects for neuromorphic computing. Optical signals can transmit information at much higher bandwidths than electronic signals, enabling large-scale neuromorphic computing systems without being constrained by the von Neumann bottleneck or interconnect bandwidth limitations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Speed

If optical resonators with different resonance conditions are used, then processing speed is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing speedVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the signal processing function into multiple optical resonators, each with specific resonance conditions. Each resonator handles a portion of the processing task, and the modulation elements provide localized phase control. This segmentation enables high-speed processing while keeping individual components relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 power consumption, increases processing speed, and eliminates complexity associated with electronic-to-optical conversions, facilitating next-generation optical computing and communication systems.

Implementation Method 1

using thermo-optic or metal-to-insulator materials to introduce phase shifts

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermo-optic effect: Electro-Optic Effects

Implementation Method 2

Each modulation element can be constructed to introduce a phase shift to the respective optical resonator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase shift: Refraction

Implementation Method 3

an array of optical resonators, the resonances of the optical resonators being detuned from a first wavelength by different phase shifts

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical resonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentUS20250334827A1Signal processing with optical resonators and modulation elements, and systems and methods employing such processing

Publication Date: 2025.10.30 NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORP

AI summary

A system for optical processing can include an array of optical resonators and a plurality of modulation elements. Resonances of the optical resonators can be detuned from a first wavelength by different phase shifts. Each optical resonator can receive a respective first input optical signal. Each modulation element can be associated with a respective optical resonator of the array. Each modulation element can introduce a phase shift to the respective optical resonator such that the respective first input optical signal is synchronously output from the array in response to the introduced phase shift compensating for the detuned phase shift of the respective optical resonator.