Silicon Optical Modulator with L-Shaped P-N Junction Phase Shifters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional copper data channels face signal attenuation and crosstalk due to radiated electromagnetic energy, which are difficult to mitigate effectively with existing techniques, limiting scalability and requiring significant power and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A low-voltage integrated silicon high-speed modulator system using optical phase shifters with a p-n junction design, comprising horizontal and vertical sections forming an 'L' shape, integrated in a CMOS chip, to modulate optical signals and improve modal overlap and phase shift efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If copper data channels are used to meet bandwidth requirements, then data transmission capability is improved, but signal attenuation and crosstalk increase due to radiated electromagnetic energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces copper electrical data channels with optical communication channels. Instead of transmitting electrical signals through copper conductors that suffer from electromagnetic radiation, attenuation, and crosstalk, the system uses optical signals transmitted through optical fibers or waveguides, eliminating the harmful electromagnetic effects while maintaining high bandwidth capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental transmission parameter from electrical signals in copper to optical signals in dielectric waveguides. This parameter change transforms the transmission medium's properties, eliminating conductive losses, electromagnetic radiation, and associated signal degradation while preserving high data transmission rates
2Reliability
If equalization, coding, and shielding techniques are applied to copper channels, then signal quality is improved, but power consumption and system complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for complex signal processing techniques (equalization, coding, shielding) by replacing the copper electrical channel with an optical channel. The optical transmission medium inherently avoids electromagnetic radiation and associated interference, removing the requirement for these complexity-inducing mitigation techniques
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the problematic copper electrical channel from the system, replacing it with an optical channel. This extraction eliminates the source of electromagnetic radiation and the need for complex shielding and signal processing techniques, simplifying the overall system architecture
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 improved optical modulation amplitude and bit error rate performance by enhancing modal overlap and phase shift efficiency, overcoming the limitations of conventional copper data channels.
Implementation Method 1
A phase of at least one optical signal in the first and second waveguides is modulated utilizing the optical phase shifters
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for a low-voltage integrated silicon high-speed modulator may include an optical modulator comprising first and second optical waveguides and two optical phase shifters, where each of the two optical phase shifters may comprise a p-n junction with a horizontal section and a vertical section and an optical signal is communicated to the first optical waveguide. A portion of the optical signal may then be coupled to the second optical waveguide. A phase of at least one optical signal in the waveguides may be modulated utilizing the optical phase shifters. A portion of the phase modulated optical signals may be coupled between the two waveguides, thereby generating two output signals from the modulator. A modulating signal may be applied to the phase shifters which may include a reverse bias.