Silicon Optical Antenna Array for Long-Range 250 GHz Signal Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
The 5G network with high-frequency bands above 250 GHz faces challenges such as shorter propagation distances and reduced signal coverage, leading to a higher requirement for base stations compared to 4G networks. Additionally, existing networks struggle to support increasing data transmission rates, necessitating improved network capacity and resource management.
Innovation Solution
A silicon optical chip with an integrated antenna array is developed, comprising wavelength division multiplexers, photodiodes, amplifiers, and electro-optical modulators. This chip transforms optical signals into radio frequency signals for transmission through the antenna array or modulates optical signals with received radio frequency signals, enabling efficient signal transmission and reception with base stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If high-frequency bands above 250 GHz are used for 5G transmission, then data transmission rate is improved, but propagation distance decreases and signal coverage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical signal as an intermediary carrier to transmit radio frequency signals over long distances. The optical chip converts electrical RF signals to optical signals for transmission through optical fibers, which can carry signals over much longer distances with lower attenuation than direct electrical transmission at high frequencies. This resolves the contradiction by using optical signals as a mediator between the base station and remote antenna units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional electrical signal transmission (mechanical/electromagnetic field in copper cables) with optical signal transmission (photons in optical fibers). This substitution enables long-distance transmission of high-frequency RF signals by converting them to optical domain, where signals can travel much farther without degradation, thus resolving the propagation distance limitation of high-frequency bands.
2Area of stationary object
If more base stations are deployed to cover the same area, then signal coverage is improved, but network complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the base station functionality into centralized base station units and distributed remote antenna units (RAUs). The RAUs, equipped with integrated optical chips and antenna arrays, can be deployed remotely to extend coverage areas without requiring full base station infrastructure at each location. This segmentation allows coverage expansion with reduced complexity at each node.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated optical chip performs multiple functions including optical-to-electrical conversion, electrical-to-optical conversion, signal amplification, and modulation within a single device. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed at each remote antenna unit, simplifying the overall network architecture while enabling widespread deployment to expand coverage area.
3Volume of moving object
If integrated optical chip is used for signal conversion, then device size and power consumption are reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple discrete components (optical modulators, photodetectors, amplifiers, and antenna elements) into a single integrated optical chip. This integration dramatically reduces the physical size of the remote antenna units and simplifies the overall system architecture, making the devices compact and suitable for widespread deployment despite the complexity of the integration process itself.
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 silicon optical chip achieves low power consumption, small size, high performance, and simple organization, enhancing network capacity and user experience by supporting efficient signal transmission and reception, particularly in heterogeneous mobile networks.
Implementation Method 1
The photodiodes are signally connected to the first wavelength division multiplexer and configured to convert the plurality of first wavelength division optical signals into a plurality of first radio frequency signals
Implementation Method 2
The electro-optical modulators are signally connected to the second amplifiers and the second wavelength division multiplexer and configured to convert the amplified second radio frequency signals into the second wavelength division signals
Data Source
AI summary
A silicon optical chip with integrated antenna array comprises a wavelength division multiplexer, antenna array, photodiode, amplifier, and electro-optical modulator. The wavelength division multiplexer is configured to receive an optical signal with a plurality of wavelengths and to divide the optical signal into a plurality of wavelength division optical signals, or is configured to integrate a plurality of wavelength division optical signals into optical signals to output. The antenna array is configured to receive or transmit radio frequency signals. The amplifier is signally connected to the photodiode and the antenna and is configured to amplify the radio frequency signal received by the antenna. The electro-optical modulator is signally connected to the amplifier and the wavelength division multiplexer and is configured to transform the amplified radio frequency signal into wavelength division optical signals to input to the wavelength division multiplexer.