Ultra-short Pulse Clock Signal Distribution via Nonlinear Intermodulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Distributing clock signals to multiple interrelated components is challenging due to issues like reflections, interference, and signal degradation in metallic traces, and wireless broadcasting faces timing jitter from multi-path phenomena.
Innovation Solution
Receiving ultra-short pulses of electromagnetic energy with a pulse width of 100 picoseconds or less and a repetition frequency above 100 MHz, and using a non-linear electrical device for intermodulation to extract a clock signal, which is then filtered to recover the repetition frequency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If clock signals are distributed along metallic traces, then clock signals can be provided to distributed elements, but reflections, interference, standing wave phenomenon, and signal degradation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional electrical clock signal distribution system (metallic traces) with an optical system. Lasers emit light pulses that carry clock information, and photodetectors convert these optical signals back to electrical signals at distributed elements. This substitution eliminates the electromagnetic interference, reflections, and signal degradation inherent in metallic trace systems while maintaining high-speed clock distribution capability.
2Ease of operation
If clock signals are broadcast wirelessly using continuous wave source, then distributed elements can receive clock signals, but timing jitter occurs due to multi-path phenomenon
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic ultra-short light pulses instead of continuous wave transmission. The laser emits pulses at precise intervals corresponding to the clock frequency, and each pulse is so short (ultra-short duration) that it arrives at distributed elements within a narrow time window. This periodic pulsed action eliminates the timing jitter caused by multi-path effects, as the extremely short pulse width ensures that even signals taking different paths arrive within the same clock cycle period.
3Measurement precision
If ultra-short pulses with pulse width of 100 picoseconds or less are used, then timing jitter is reduced, but specialized detection methods are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a nonlinear optical medium as an intermediary between the ultra-short pulse transmission channel and the detection system. This medium converts the ultra-short optical pulses into electrical signals through optical rectification or other nonlinear effects, enabling standard photodetector circuits to effectively detect and process the timing information. This intermediary approach maintains the timing precision benefits of ultra-short pulses while simplifying the overall detection 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
This method effectively recovers a clock signal with reduced jitter, suitable for use in remotely distributed objects, improving clock signal distribution accuracy and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
receiving by an antenna a series of pulses of electromagnetic energy
Implementation Method 2
intermodulating the pulse signal by applying the pulse signal to a non-linear electrical device, the intermodulation creates a modulated signal
Data Source
AI summary
Ultra-short pulse detection. At least some example embodiments are methods including: receiving by an antenna a series of ultra-short pulses of electromagnetic energy at a repetition frequency, the receiving creates a pulse signal; self-mixing or intermodulating the pulse signal by applying the pulse signal to a non-linear electrical device, thereby creating a modulated signal; and filtering the modulated signal to recover a filtered signal having an intermodulated frequency being the repetition frequency.