Photonic RF frequency conversion
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for converting a frequency of a signal based on photonic processing, comprising:
- producing a modulated optical signal that is at an optical carrier frequency and carries an input radio frequency (RF) signal;
coupling light of the modulated optical signal into an optical resonator that supports optical resonator modes and exhibits a frequency difference between two adjacent optical resonator modes that is different from an RF frequency of the input RF signal;
coupling light out of the optical resonator as an optical output signal that carries a first set of optical sidebands corresponding to the RF signal and a second set of optical sidebands corresponding to the optical resonator modes; and
using an optical detector to convert the optical output signal into an output electrical signal that is a replica of the input RF signal at an output electrical signal frequency that is shifted from the RF frequency of the input RF signal.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Devices and techniques for frequency conversion of radio frequency (RF) or microwave signals based on photonic processing.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method for converting a frequency of a signal based on photonic processing, comprising:
-
producing a modulated optical signal that is at an optical carrier frequency and carries an input radio frequency (RF) signal; coupling light of the modulated optical signal into an optical resonator that supports optical resonator modes and exhibits a frequency difference between two adjacent optical resonator modes that is different from an RF frequency of the input RF signal; coupling light out of the optical resonator as an optical output signal that carries a first set of optical sidebands corresponding to the RF signal and a second set of optical sidebands corresponding to the optical resonator modes; and using an optical detector to convert the optical output signal into an output electrical signal that is a replica of the input RF signal at an output electrical signal frequency that is shifted from the RF frequency of the input RF signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A device for converting a frequency of a signal based on photonic processing, comprising:
-
an electrical to optical conversion module that receives an input radio frequency (RF) signal and produces a modulated optical signal that is at an optical carrier frequency and carries the input RF signal; an optical resonator that supports optical resonator modes and exhibits a frequency difference between two adjacent optical resonator modes that is different from an RF frequency of the input RF signal; an optical coupler that couples light of the modulated optical signal into the optical resonator and couples light out of the optical resonator as an optical output signal that carries a first set of optical sidebands corresponding to the RF signal and a second set of optical sidebands corresponding to the optical resonator modes; and an optical detector located to receive the optical output signal coupled out of the optical resonator, the optical detector converting the received optical output signal into an output electrical signal that is a replica of the input RF signal at an output electrical signal frequency that is shifted from the RF frequency of the input RF signal. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A device for converting a frequency of a signal based on photonic processing, comprising:
-
an electrical to optical conversion module that receives an input radio frequency (RF) signal and produces a modulated optical signal that is at an optical carrier frequency and carries the input RF signal; a photonic oscillator that includes a closed opto-electronic loop having an optical part that includes an optical resonator, an electrical part and a loop optical detector coupled between the optical part and the electrical part to convert light received from the optical part into an electrical signal to the electrical part, the optical resonator configured to support optical resonator modes and to exhibit a frequency difference between two adjacent optical resonator modes that is different from an RF frequency of the input RF signal; an optical coupler that couples light of the modulated optical signal into the optical resonator and couples light out of the optical resonator as an optical output signal that carries a first set of optical sidebands corresponding to the RF signal and a second set of optical sidebands corresponding to the optical resonator modes; and an optical detector located to receive the optical output signal coupled out of the optical resonator, the optical detector converting the received optical output signal into an output electrical signal that is a replica of the input RF signal at an output electrical signal frequency that is shifted from the RF frequency of the input RF signal. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification