Photonic Antenna Array Receiver for >100 GHz Beamforming
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current electronic devices with wireless circuitry face limitations in supporting higher data rates due to the frequency of radio-frequency signals, and existing wireless circuitry struggles to provide satisfactory performance at higher frequencies.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a wireless circuitry system that includes a phased antenna array with electro-optical modulators, optical phase shifters, and an optical combiner, which uses optical signals to enhance the reception of radio-frequency signals above 100 GHz, allowing for higher data rates and directional signal beamforming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If radio-frequency signals at higher frequencies are used to support higher data rates, then data transfer rate is improved, but wireless performance becomes unsatisfactory
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical signal as an intermediary carrier to transfer radio-frequency signals. The optical combiner combines multiple optical signals carrying RF information, and the optical splitter distributes them to multiple antennas. This optical intermediary enables high-frequency RF signals to be transmitted with improved performance and reduced loss, resolving the contradiction between high data rates and satisfactory wireless performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional electrical signal transmission through coaxial cables and circuit boards with optical signal transmission through optical fibers and optical components. This substitution of transmission medium (from electrical to optical) enables support for higher frequencies (above 100 GHz) while maintaining signal integrity and wireless performance, thus resolving the contradiction between data rate improvement and performance degradation.
2Productivity
If traditional wireless circuitry is used at higher frequencies, then data rate is limited, but device complexity remains low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated system. The optical combiner combines multiple optical signals carrying RF information from different antennas into a single output. The optical splitter distributes the optical signal to multiple antennas simultaneously. This merging of functions enables high data rates while managing complexity through functional integration rather than separate components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical signal transmission system serves multiple functions: it carries RF signals from multiple antennas, enables beamforming through phase control, supports high frequencies above 100 GHz, and provides flexible signal routing. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve high data rates without proportionally increasing device complexity, as a single optical infrastructure supports multiple operational requirements.
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 enables electronic devices to support data transfer rates up to 5-10 Gbps or higher by effectively receiving and transmitting radio-frequency signals at frequencies greater than 100 GHz, improving wireless performance and data bandwidth.
Implementation Method 1
The electro-optical modulators may modulate the optical local oscillator signal using the electrical signals
Implementation Method 2
The optical phase shifters may provide optical phase shifts to the optical signal
Implementation Method 3
Radio-frequency signals may be incident upon the phased antenna array. The radio-frequency signals may produce electrical signals on the antenna resonating elements
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device may include a receiver having a light source that provides an optical signal to an optical splitter. An optical combiner may be coupled to the optical splitter over a set of parallel optical paths. A phased antenna array may have a set of antennas disposed on the optical paths. Each antenna may include an optical modulator disposed on a respective one of the optical paths and an antenna resonating element coupled to the modulator. Incident radio-frequency signals may produce electrical signals on the antenna resonating elements. Optical phase shifters may provide optical phase shifts to the optical signal. The modulators may modulate the optical local oscillator signal using the electrical signals. The optical combiner may generate a combined signal by combining modulated optical signals from the optical paths. A demodulator may recover wireless data from the radio-frequency signals using the combined signal.