Spatially Dispersed Optical Sampling With 2D Photodetectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional all-electronic signal sampling and digitization techniques are limited by parasitic resistance, capacitance, inductance, high thermal noise, high jitter, and low linearity, while photonic-assisted techniques are expensive and have large size and high power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing spatial dispersion to convert optical pulses into electrical signals using a 2D array of photodetectors, where wavelength-dispersed optical pulses are spatially dispersed over a 2D surface, allowing for high-speed sampling and digitization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional all-electronic signal sampling techniques are used, then the system is simple and low-cost, but the sampling rate and signal bandwidth are limited due to parasitic resistance, capacitance, inductance, high thermal noise, high jitter, and low linearity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces all-electronic signal sampling with a photonic-assisted system that uses optical pulses to carry and sample high-frequency signals. The electronic signal is modulated onto an optical carrier, which then interacts with a dispersive medium to achieve time-stretching and spatial separation of signal components, ultimately being detected by photodetectors. This substitution of electronic processing with photonic processing enables ultra-high sampling rates while avoiding the parasitic effects that limit conventional electronics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical intermediary (optical pulse) as a mediator between the electronic signal source and the detection system. The electronic signal modulates the optical pulse, which then serves as a carrier that can be manipulated in the optical domain using dispersive elements. This intermediary enables the system to achieve high sampling rates by performing signal processing operations in the optical domain before converting back to electrical signals at the detector.
2Productivity
If photonic-assisted signal sampling techniques are used, then the sampling rate and signal bandwidth are improved, but the system becomes expensive with large size and high power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic pulsed optical signals instead of continuous wave illumination. The optical source emits short, periodic pulses that are modulated by the electronic signal. This periodic action allows the system to achieve high sampling rates while reducing average power consumption compared to continuous operation, as the optical source is active only during the pulse duration rather than continuously.
3Productivity
If photonic-assisted signal sampling techniques are used, then the sampling rate and signal bandwidth are improved, but the system becomes expensive with large size and high power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the spatial dimension by employing a dispersive medium that spatially separates different frequency components of the modulated optical pulse. The time-stretched signal is mapped to different spatial positions, allowing parallel detection of multiple signal components simultaneously using an array of photodetectors or a single detector scanned across the spatial domain. This dimensional transformation enables high sampling rates while distributing the complexity across space rather than requiring complex temporal processing.
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
Achieves ultra-high sampling rates and low-complexity signal processing with reduced power consumption and cost, enabling efficient conversion from analog RF signals to time-series digital data.
Implementation Method 1
a time-to-wavelength dispersion system configured to generate a wavelength dispersed optical pulse that is modulated according to an input signal
Implementation Method 2
a wavelength-to-space dispersion system configured to spatially disperse the wavelength dispersed optical pulse by wavelength to produce a spatially dispersed optical pulse
Implementation Method 3
a sensor system configured to convert the spatially dispersed optical pulse to electrical signals, the sensor system including a two-dimensional (2D) array of photodetectors
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and system for signal sampling using spatial dispersion are disclosed. In an example, a system includes a time-to-wavelength dispersion system configured to generate a wavelength dispersed optical pulse that is modulated according to an input signal, a wavelength-to-space dispersion system configured to spatially disperse the wavelength dispersed optical pulse by wavelength to produce a spatially dispersed optical pulse, a sensor system configured to convert the spatially dispersed optical pulse to electrical signals, the sensor system including a two-dimensional (2D) array of photodetectors, and a processor configured to decode the electrical signals to generate information about the input signal.