Photonic Spatial-Dispersion Sampling for Wideband Signal Resolution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing signal sampling and digitization techniques face limitations due to physical constraints of semiconductor-based electronics, such as parasitic resistance, capacitance, and inductance, which result in high thermal noise, high jitter, and low linearity, thereby limiting signal bandwidth and resolution. Additionally, conventional photonic-assisted techniques are expensive, large, and consume high power.
Innovation Solution
The method employs a time-to-wavelength dispersion system to generate a wavelength dispersed optical pulse modulated according to an input signal, followed by a wavelength-to-space dispersion system to spatially disperse the pulse. This is then transformed using a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) optical system into a frequency domain transformed optical pulse, which is converted to electrical signals by a sensor system with a 2D array of photodetectors, allowing for the determination of frequency information about the input signal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If all-electronic approaches are used for signal sampling, then the system is compact and low-cost, but signal bandwidth and resolution are limited due to parasitic resistance, capacitance, and inductance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electronic signal sampling circuits with a photonic system that uses optical pulses to sample and store signal information. The electronic approach is substituted by optical modulation and spatial dispersion, eliminating the parasitic effects of electronic components while achieving higher signal bandwidth and resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical pulse as an intermediary carrier to transfer signal information. The optical pulse is modulated by the input signal, then spatially dispersed to map different signal components to different spatial locations where they can be detected by photodetectors, avoiding direct electronic processing.
2Productivity
If conventional photonic-assisted techniques are used, then sampling rate and signal bandwidth are improved, but system size and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from temporal signal processing to spatial signal processing by using spatial dispersion to map different wavelengths (and thus different signal components) to different spatial locations. This dimensional transformation allows parallel processing of multiple signal components simultaneously, achieving high sampling rates without requiring high-power electronic circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces high-power electronic amplification and processing with low-power optical processes. The optical pulse carries the signal information through passive spatial dispersion and detection, eliminating the need for high-power electronic amplifiers and reducing overall system power consumption while maintaining high sampling rates.
3Measurement precision
If conventional photonic-assisted techniques are used, then signal bandwidth is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a single optical pulse that serves multiple functions: it carries the modulated signal information, undergoes spatial dispersion to separate signal components, and enables parallel detection by multiple photodetectors. This multi-functionality achieves wide signal bandwidth processing without requiring multiple separate expensive electronic channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates spatial copies of the signal information across different wavelengths and spatial locations through optical modulation and dispersion. Each spatial location contains a copy of the signal information at a different frequency component, allowing parallel processing and achieving wide bandwidth with a single optical channel rather than multiple expensive electronic channels.
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 achieves high sampling rates, improved signal bandwidth and resolution, while reducing costs, size, and power consumption compared to conventional methods. It also provides low jitter and high signal-to-noise ratio due to the use of optical and photonic components.
Implementation Method 1
a time-to-wavelength dispersion system configured to generate a wavelength dispersed optical pulse that is modulated according to an input signal
Implementation Method 2
a wavelength-to-space dispersion system configured to spatially disperse the wavelength dispersed optical pulse by wavelength to produce a spatially dispersed optical pulse
Implementation Method 3
a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) optical system configured to transform the spatially dispersed optical pulse into a frequency domain transformed optical pulse
Implementation Method 4
a sensor system configured to convert the frequency domain transformed optical pulse to electrical signals, the sensor system including a two-dimensional (2D) array of photodetectors
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and system for signal sampling using spatial dispersion are disclosed. In an example, a system includes a time-to-wavelength dispersion system configured to generate a wavelength dispersed optical pulse that is modulated according to an input signal, a wavelength-to-space dispersion system configured to spatially disperse the wavelength dispersed optical pulse by wavelength to produce a spatially dispersed optical pulse, a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) optical system configured to transform the spatially dispersed optical pulse into a frequency domain transformed optical pulse, a sensor system configured to convert the frequency domain transformed optical pulse to electrical signals, the sensor system including a two-dimensional (2D) array of photodetectors, and a processor configured to determine frequency information about the input signal from the electrical signals.