Optical Self-Injection Loops for Low-Phase-Noise 100+ GHz Clocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices face challenges in supporting high data rates for wireless communications due to limitations in providing low phase noise clocking for wireless circuitry at frequencies above 100 GHz.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of clocking circuitry with a primary and secondary laser that emit optical local oscillator signals, coupled with self-injection locking loops and electro-optical mixers, to minimize phase noise and support wireless communications at frequencies greater than 100 GHz.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If wireless communications operate at frequencies greater than 100 GHz to achieve higher data rates, then productivity is improved, but phase noise increases making low phase noise clocking difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional electronic clocking circuits with optical clocking circuits that use lasers operating at optical frequencies (hundreds of THz) to generate clock signals for wireless communications at frequencies greater than 100 GHz. The optical local oscillator signals from the lasers are converted to electrical signals through photodetection, providing low phase noise clocking that enables high data rate wireless communications while minimizing phase noise issues that plague traditional electronic clocking at these frequencies.
2Device complexity
If traditional electronic clocking is used for wireless circuitry at frequencies above 100 GHz, then device complexity is kept simple, but phase noise becomes difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces optical lasers as intermediary devices that operate at optical frequencies to generate clock signals for wireless communications at frequencies greater than 100 GHz. The lasers produce stable optical local oscillator signals that are then converted to electrical signals through photodetection and mixing circuits. This intermediary optical approach provides low phase noise clocking while maintaining manageable device complexity through integrated photonic circuits and standard wireless communication components.
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 effectively reduces phase noise, enabling efficient wireless communications at high frequencies by utilizing optical self-injection locking loops to stabilize laser frequencies, thereby enhancing data transfer rates.
Implementation Method 1
The photodiode may generate a radio-frequency signal based on the first and second optical LO signals
Implementation Method 2
The first electro-optical mixer may generate a first optical signal based on the first optical LO signal and the radio-frequency signal
Implementation Method 3
Each optical reference may include an optical delay line or an optical resonator, for example
Implementation Method 4
The first self-injection locking loop path may include a second electro-optical mixer. If desired, an additional optical reference may be disposed on the first self-injection locking loop path but not the second self-injection locking loop path
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device may include wireless circuitry that conveys radio-frequency signals at frequencies greater than or equal to 100 GHz using first and second optical local oscillator (LO) signals generated by clocking circuitry. The clocking circuitry may include a first laser that generates the first optical LO signal and a second laser that generates the second optical LO signal. First and second self-injection locking loop paths may be coupled around the first and second lasers respectively. The first loop path may include a first mixer, an optical reference, and a second mixer. The second loop path may include a photodiode, the first mixer, and the optical reference. The photodiode may provide a radio-frequency signal to the mixers. The optical reference may include an optical delay line or resonator and may reduce phase noise of optical signals used to self-injection lock the first and second lasers.