Reciprocal Electro-Optical Transceiver With EOM Tuning for Low-Noise Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices face challenges in supporting high data rates for wireless communications due to limitations in reconfiguring wireless circuitry to convey signals at different frequencies and switch between signal transmission and reception without sufficient wireless performance.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of wireless circuitry that includes an antenna element, light sources, and an optical signal path with an electro-optical modulator (EOM) to modulate optical local oscillator (LO) signals using a single sideband carrier suppression scheme, allowing transmission and reception of radio-frequency signals at the same frequency without adjusting optical LO signals, thus minimizing phase noise and disruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If wireless circuitry reconfigures to convey signals at different frequencies, then data rate increases, but phase noise increases and performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic frequency tuning by adjusting the intermediate frequency signal provided to the EOM, allowing the wireless circuitry to adapt to different communication frequencies while maintaining stable optical LO signals. This dynamic adjustment enables high data rates without the phase noise penalties associated with reconfiguring optical sources.
2Adaptability or versatility
If wireless circuitry switches between transmission and reception, then communication flexibility improves, but switching delay increases due to re-locking requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains optical LO signals in a continuously locked state, performing the frequency translation function dynamically through the EOM rather than reconfiguring optical sources at switch-over. This preliminary locking action eliminates the need for time-consuming re-locking procedures during transmission/reception switching.
3Adaptability or versatility
If optical LO signals are adjusted for frequency changes, then frequency tuning capability improves, but phase noise increases and disruption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate frequency signal as a mediator between the stable optical LO signals and the desired radio-frequency output. This intermediary approach allows frequency tuning to be achieved through electrical signal processing rather than optical reconfiguration, thereby avoiding phase noise generation.
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 enables efficient switching between transmission and reception of radio-frequency signals at the same frequency, reducing delays and disruptions while maintaining minimal phase noise, thereby enhancing wireless communication performance.
Implementation Method 1
The EOM may modulate the second optical LO signal based on the intermediate frequency signal and using a single sideband carrier suppression scheme
Implementation Method 2
The photomixer may transmit the radio-frequency signals and may receive the radio-frequency signals using the optical LO signals. The photomixer may convert received radio-frequency signals into receive frequency signals at the intermediate frequency
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device may include wireless circuitry with light sources that emit optical local oscillator (LO) signals onto optical paths coupled to a photomixer of an antenna. An electro-optical modulator (EOM) on an optical path may modulate one of the LO signals using an intermediate frequency signal and single sideband carrier suppression. The antenna may transmit and receive radio-frequency signals at the same frequency without adjustment to the LO signals. The frequency of the radio-frequency signals is equal to an offset between LO signals plus the frequency of the intermediate frequency signal. This may allow the device to switch between transmission and reception and/or frequencies of the radio-frequency signal without adjusting the optical LO signals, which prevents needing to re-lock the phases of the light sources and optimizes wireless performance.