Single-Antenna UTC Photodiode Link for 100+ GHz Duplex Wireless
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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 for high data rates in a resource-efficient and space-efficient manner 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
1Reliability
If separate antennas are used for transmission and reception at high frequencies, then wireless communication reliability is improved, but device area and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines transmit and receive functions into a single antenna system operating at millimeter wave frequencies. The antenna is designed to handle both transmission and reception of wireless signals at frequencies greater than 100 GHz, eliminating the need for separate antennas and reducing device area while maintaining communication reliability through unified high-frequency operation
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna is designed with multi-functionality to perform both transmission and reception operations. By configuring the same antenna to operate in both modes at millimeter wave frequencies, the system achieves universal functionality that reduces component count and device footprint while preserving reliable wireless communication capabilities
2Productivity
If higher frequency radio-frequency signals are used, then data rate is improved, but implementation complexity and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional radio-frequency signal generation and processing mechanisms with optical signal processing. By using optical local oscillator signals to modulate and process millimeter wave signals, the system achieves high data rates at frequencies greater than 100 GHz while simplifying the RF implementation complexity through optical domain processing
3Area of stationary object
If the same antenna and signal path are used for both transmission and reception, then space efficiency is improved, but signal interference and resource contention increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs time division duplexing where the single antenna alternates between transmission and reception modes in periodic time slots. This periodic switching allows the same antenna and signal path to be used for both functions while preventing signal interference, as the antenna is dedicated to either transmit or receive at any given time
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches the antenna configuration between transmit and receive modes. By making the antenna operation dynamic rather than static, the system can adapt its function based on communication needs, achieving space efficiency through single-antenna operation while maintaining signal quality through dynamic mode switching
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 for both transmission and reception, optimizing wireless circuitry performance.
Implementation Method 1
an optical modulator disposed along the optical signal path and configured to modulate wireless data onto the second optical LO signal
Implementation Method 2
a uni-travelling-carrier photodiode (UTC PD)... configured to convert the first optical LO signal and the modulated second optical LO signal into currents on the antenna radiating element
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.