UTC Photodiode Antenna for >100 GHz Duplex Wireless Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices face challenges in supporting high data rates for wireless communications due to limitations in radio-frequency signal frequencies, and implementing wireless circuitry that is both resource-efficient and space-efficient is difficult.
Innovation Solution
The use of a uni-travelling-carrier photodiode (UTC PD) coupled with optical signal paths and a time division duplexing scheme allows an antenna to transmit and receive wireless signals at frequencies greater than 100 GHz, utilizing optical modulators and bias voltages to convert signals into currents for transmission and intermediate frequencies for reception, enabling the same antenna to handle both functions efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If wireless circuitry uses traditional radio-frequency signals to support high data rates, then data rate requirements can be met up to a certain limit, but the maximum data rate is fundamentally limited by the available frequency spectrum and cannot achieve extremely high data rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional radio-frequency electromagnetic signal transmission with optical signal transmission using photodiodes. Optical signals operate at frequencies orders of magnitude higher than radio frequencies, enabling extremely high data rates. The photodiode converts optical signals to electrical currents that drive the antenna, substituting the conventional RF signal path with an optical-based transmission path.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental operating parameter from radio-frequency (GHz range) to optical frequency (THz range). By using optical local oscillator signals and photodetection, the system operates at frequencies much higher than traditional wireless communications, thereby achieving the required extremely high data rates that were previously unattainable with RF signals.
2Reliability
If separate antennas and circuitry are used for transmission and reception at high frequencies, then transmission and reception functions can be independently optimized, but space consumption and resource usage increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the transmission and reception functions into a single antenna system. The same antenna element is used for both transmitting optical-modulated signals and receiving wireless signals. The photodiode integrated with the antenna performs both functions by switching between transmission mode (converting optical to electrical) and reception mode (converting received RF to electrical for processing), thereby eliminating the need for separate transmit and receive antennas.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna-photodiode assembly is designed as a universal component that performs multiple functions: it can transmit wireless signals by converting optical signals to electrical currents, and it can receive wireless signals by converting received RF signals to electrical currents for processing. This multi-functional design reduces the overall number of components and space required in the wireless circuitry.
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 approach supports extremely high data rates while minimizing space and resource consumption by using a single antenna and optical signal path for both transmission and reception, optimizing wireless circuitry performance.
Implementation Method 1
The photodiode can be configured to generate, based on the first optical LO signal, the second optical LO signal, and a bias voltage applied to the photodiode, a current at a frequency greater than or equal to 100 GHz on the antenna radiating element
Implementation Method 2
an optical modulator disposed along the optical signal path and configured to modulate wireless data onto the second optical LO signal
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device may include an antenna that conveys wireless signals at frequencies greater than 100 GHz. The antenna may include a radiating element coupled to a uni-travelling-carrier photodiode (UTC PD). An optical path may illuminate the UTC PD using a first optical local oscillator (LO) signal and a second optical LO signal. An optical phase shift may be applied to the first optical LO signal. A Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM) may be interposed on the optical path. During signal transmission, the MZM may modulate wireless data onto the second optical LO signal while control circuitry applies a first bias voltage to the UTC PD. During signal reception, the control circuitry may apply a second bias voltage to the UTC PD that configures the UTC PD to convert received wireless signals into intermediate frequency signals and/or optical signals.