High Spur-Free Dynamic Range Receiver With Tunable Electro-Optic Resonators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Many receivers are unable to selectively filter interfering RF signals with sufficient performance and rapid tunability, particularly in high-bandwidth operations, leading to inadequate signal-to-noise ratios.
Innovation Solution
A receiver system incorporating tunable electro-optic resonators operating in whispering-gallery mode for precise, narrow bandwidth filtering, combined with high spur-free dynamic range modulators and tunable Brillouin amplifiers/attenuators to separate signals of interest and suppress adjacent frequency interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional filtering methods are used, then the receiver can process RF signals, but it cannot selectively filter interfering signals with sufficient performance and rapid tunability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical or electronic filtering systems with an optical filtering system using whispering-gallery mode resonators. These resonators provide rapid electrical tuning capability while delivering superior filtering performance and signal-to-noise ratio, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses electro-optic effects to change the refractive index of the resonator material, thereby rapidly tuning the resonant frequency of the filter. This parameter change enables rapid adaptability without compromising the filtering performance and signal-to-noise ratio.
2Power
If conventional modulators are used, then the receiver can convert RF signals to optical signals, but spurious signals are generated that reduce dynamic range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a modulator designed with optimized electrical and optical parameters to minimize non-linear distortion. By carefully controlling the bias point and drive signal parameters, the modulator achieves high conversion efficiency while generating minimal spurious signals, thus resolving the contradiction between power efficiency and harmful signal generation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If broad bandwidth filtering is used, then the receiver can process wide frequency ranges, but adjacent frequency interference cannot be sufficiently suppressed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multiple whispering-gallery mode resonators tuned to different frequencies to provide selective filtering across a broad frequency range. Each resonator segment handles a specific frequency band, providing narrow bandwidth filtering for interference suppression while collectively covering a wide frequency range, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and harmful factor suppression.
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
The system achieves high spur-free dynamic range, effectively filtering out interference while maintaining a high signal-to-noise ratio, enabling efficient operation in high-bandwidth environments.
Implementation Method 1
a high spur free dynamic range modulator, which has a very linear characteristic, so that only low level new RF spurs are generated
Implementation Method 2
These resonators, which operate in a whispering-gallery mode ('WGM'), can be rapidly tunable and provide precise, narrow bandwidth filtering
Implementation Method 3
The receiver may further include one or more Brillouin amplifiers and/or attenuators, which are also highly tunable and capable of amplifying a narrow bandwidth signal of interest
Data Source
AI summary
A receiver system comprises an antenna configured to receive an input RF signal, a high spur free dynamic range modulator configured to receive the input RF signal from the antenna and to convert the input RF signal to an optical signal, and a tunable filter configured to receive the optical signal and to output a filtered optical signal. The tunable filter includes at least one electro-optic resonator, at least one electrode configured to supply an electrical control signal to the electro-optic resonator, and a controller configured to adjust the electrical control signal to adjust a refractive index of the electro-optic resonator, whereby a resonant frequency of the electro-optic resonator is selectably adjusted. The receiver system further comprises a receiver configured to receive the filtered optical signal.