Silicon Photonics Phase and Amplitude Tuning for Polarization Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for coupling light between optical fibers and silicon photonics waveguides suffer from significant signal loss due to polarization mismatch and require large optical interference circuits, which increase power consumption and circuit size.
Innovation Solution
Implement phase and amplitude tuning in the electrical module of an optoelectronic system, using feedback control signals to manage phase shift in the optical module, and perform amplitude tuning in the electrical module to reduce the need for optical interference circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If optical interference circuits (e.g., Mach-Zehnder interferometer modulators) are used to tune phase and amplitude of received split optical signals, then phase and amplitude tuning can be achieved, but power consumption increases and circuit size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical interference circuits with electrical domain processing. Specifically, photodiodes convert optical signals to electrical signals, and electrical modulators adjust amplitude and phase in the electrical domain before re-conversion to optical domain. This substitution eliminates the need for complex optical interference circuits while achieving the same tuning functionality, thereby reducing power consumption and circuit footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electrical signals as an intermediary between optical domain components. The electrical domain serves as a mediator where phase and amplitude adjustments are performed using simpler electrical modulators rather than complex optical interference circuits. This intermediary approach allows for more efficient tuning operations with lower power consumption.
2Manufacturing precision
If optical interference circuits (e.g., Mach-Zehnder interferometer modulators) are used to tune phase and amplitude of received split optical signals, then phase and amplitude tuning can be achieved, but circuit footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces bulky optical interference circuits with compact electrical domain processing components. Photodiodes, electrical modulators, and electrical adders occupy significantly less space than their optical interference circuit counterparts. This substitution maintains tuning precision while dramatically reducing the circuit footprint on the silicon photonics integrated circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions the tuning operation from the optical domain to the electrical domain, effectively changing the dimensional space where the operation occurs. By performing amplitude and phase adjustments in the electrical domain rather than the optical domain, the system achieves the same functionality with much smaller component footprints.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a 2D grating coupler (PSGC) is used to split received optical signal into two orthogonal polarizations, then polarization incompatibility is addressed, but additional phase and amplitude tuning circuits are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex optical interference circuits with electrical domain processing. After the PSGC splits the optical signal into two polarizations, photodiodes convert these to electrical signals. Electrical modulators then adjust amplitude and phase in the electrical domain, which is simpler and more compact than using additional optical interference circuits. This substitution reduces overall device complexity while maintaining polarization handling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electrical signals as an intermediary to simplify the system architecture. By converting optical signals to electrical signals after polarization splitting, the system can perform tuning operations in the electrical domain using simpler components. This intermediary approach reduces the need for complex optical interference circuits and overall device complexity.
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
Reduces circuit footprint and power consumption by delegating phase and amplitude tuning to the electrical module, eliminating the need for large optical interference circuits and enhancing signal recovery without loss.
Implementation Method 1
a polarization splitting grating coupler (PSGC) configured to receive an optical signal and split the optical signal into two polarization components
Implementation Method 2
a phase controller configured to tune a phase of the split optical signal such that the two polarization components are in phase
Implementation Method 3
a first and a second photodiode configured to convert the polarization components of the optical signal into electrical signals
Implementation Method 4
an amplitude controller configured to add the electrical signals to produce a combined electrical signal
Data Source
AI summary
A silicon photonics integrated circuit includes a polarization splitting grating coupler (PSGC) configured to receive an optical signal and split the optical signal into two polarization components. The circuit includes a phase controller coupled to the PSGC, and the phase controller is configured to tune the split optical signal such that the two polarization components are in phase. The circuit includes a first and a second photodiode coupled to the phase controller, where the first photodiode receives a first component of the two polarization components and the second photodiode receives a second component of the two polarization components, and the first and second photodiodes converts the first and second components into first and second electrical signals, respectively. The circuit includes an amplitude controller coupled to the first and the second photodiodes, the amplitude controller configured to add the first and the second electrical signals to output a combined electrical signal.