Frequency tuning of photonic oscillator using amplifier bias voltage
First Claim
1. A photonic oscillator comprising:
- a) a light source;
b) an optical modulator coupled to the light source;
c) at least one lightwave delay path coupled to the optical modulator;
d) at least one photodetector coupled to the at least one lightwave delay path;
e) a first amplifier coupled between the photodetector and the optical modulator;
f) a bandpass filter coupled between the first amplifier and the optical modulator; and
g) a control circuit coupled to the first amplifier constructed so as to be capable of adjusting a bias power to the first amplifier to shift a frequency of an output of the photonic oscillator.
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Abstract
In one implementation of the present invention, a method is provided for frequency tuning of a photonic oscillator. The method includes supplying an optical signal, for example laser light, which is modulated, delayed, and then converted to an electrical signal. The electrical signal is amplified, and used in modulating the optical signal. With this implementation, the frequency of the an output signal of the photonic oscillator is adjusted by adjusting a bias voltage of the amplifier. In some implementations, adjusting the frequency of the output signal further includes using a frequency lock loop circuit. In some implementations, adjusting the frequency of an output signal of the photonic oscillator further comprises adjusting at least one of an phase shifter in series with the amplifier, an optical fiber stretcher, or a bias voltage of a second amplifier. In one embodiment of the present invention, a photonic oscillator is provided including a laser and an optical modulator coupled to the laser. A lightwave delay path is coupled to the optical modulator. In some embodiments, dual lightwave delay paths are provided, such as a long loop delay path and a short loop delay path. A photodetector is coupled between the lightwave delay path and an amplifier. Typically, a bandpass filter is coupled between the amplifier and the modulating input of the optical modulator. A control circuit coupled to the amplifier is constructed so as to be capable of adjusting a bias power to the amplifier so as to shift a frequency of an output of the photonic oscillator. In some embodiments, the control circuit may include a frequency lock loop circuit.
14 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A photonic oscillator comprising:
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a) a light source; b) an optical modulator coupled to the light source; c) at least one lightwave delay path coupled to the optical modulator; d) at least one photodetector coupled to the at least one lightwave delay path; e) a first amplifier coupled between the photodetector and the optical modulator; f) a bandpass filter coupled between the first amplifier and the optical modulator; and g) a control circuit coupled to the first amplifier constructed so as to be capable of adjusting a bias power to the first amplifier to shift a frequency of an output of the photonic oscillator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A photonic oscillator comprising:
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a) a laser; b) an optical modulator coupled to the laser; c) a lightwave delay path coupled to the optical modulator comprising; (i) a short loop lightwave delay path; and (ii) a long loop lightwave delay path coupled in parallel with the short loop lightwave delay path; d) a first amplifier coupled between the photodetector and the optical modulator; e) a bandpass filter coupled between the first amplifier and the optical modulator; f) a bandpass filter coupled between the first amplifier and the optical modulator; and g) a means for shifting a frequency of an output of the photonic oscillator comprising a bias power adjusting means allowing adjustment of the bias power to the first amplifier. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A photonic oscillator comprising:
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a) a laser; b) an optical modulator coupled to the laser; c) a lightwave delay path coupled to the optical modulator comprising; (i) a short loop lightwave delay path; (ii) a long loop lightwave delay path coupled in parallel with the short loop lightwave delay path; (iii) an optical splitter coupling the long and short loop lightwave delay paths to the optical modulator; (iv) a photodetector coupled to each of the long and short loop lightwave delay paths; (v) a coupler coupling the photodetectors of the long and short loop lightwave delay paths to the first amplifier; and (vi) a fiber stretcher in each of the short loop lightwave delay path and the long loop lightwave delay path; d) a first amplifier coupled between the photodetector and the optical modulator; e) a phase shifter coupled between the first amplifier and the bandpass filter; f) a bandpass filter coupled between the first amplifier and the optical modulator; and g) a control circuit capable of adjusting a bias power to the first amplifier so as to shift a frequency of an output of the photonic oscillator, the control circuit being responsive to a frequency lock loop circuit. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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Specification