Optical conversion system and method with multiple amplitude processing
First Claim
1. A photonic processor, comprising:
- a first input configured to receive an amplitude-modulated optical pulse signal;
a second input configured to receive an optical reference signal;
a plurality of stages, each stage being configured to receive the amplitude-modulated optical pulse signal and an attenuated version of the optical reference signal, the attenuated version of the optical reference signal being attenuated in accordance with a amplitude position of the stage, wherein each stage is comprised of;
a reference path;
a signal path; and
a balanced photo detector, wherein the balanced photo detector provides an electronic output signal corresponding to an amplitude relationship of the amplitude version of the optical reference signal and the amplitude-modulated optical pulse signal for the stage.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A photonic processor can include a first input for an amplitude-modulated optical pulse signal, a second input for an optical reference signal, and a plurality of stages. Each stage is configured to receive the amplitude-modulated optical pulse signal and a version of the optical reference signal. The version is amplitude attenuated in accordance with a position of the stage. Each stage is comprised of a reference path, a signal path, two couplers and a balanced photo detector. The first coupler receives the pulse signal and provides as stage pulse signal to the signal path coupled to a first input of the detector. The second coupler receives the version and provides a stage optical reference signal to the reference path coupled to a second input of the detector. The detector provides an electronic output signal corresponding to an amplitude relationship.
75 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A photonic processor, comprising:
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a first input configured to receive an amplitude-modulated optical pulse signal; a second input configured to receive an optical reference signal; a plurality of stages, each stage being configured to receive the amplitude-modulated optical pulse signal and an attenuated version of the optical reference signal, the attenuated version of the optical reference signal being attenuated in accordance with a amplitude position of the stage, wherein each stage is comprised of; a reference path; a signal path; and a balanced photo detector, wherein the balanced photo detector provides an electronic output signal corresponding to an amplitude relationship of the amplitude version of the optical reference signal and the amplitude-modulated optical pulse signal for the stage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of multi-amplitude processing, the method comprising:
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receiving an amplitude-modulated optical pulse signal at a plurality of stages; receiving a respective amplitude attenuated version of an optical reference signal at the plurality of stages, the respective amplitude attenuated version of the optical reference signal being amplitude attenuated in accordance with a position of the stage; comparing the respective amplitude attenuated version of the optical reference signal with the amplitude-modulated optical pulse signal at each stage; and providing an electronic output signal corresponding to an amplitude relationship of the amplitude attenuated optical reference signal and the amplitude-modulated optical pulse signal at each stage. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A multi-amplitude photonic processor, comprising:
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an amplitude modulator configured to receive an electronic radio frequency signal and an optical clock signal and to provide an amplitude-modulated optical signal on a first signal path, wherein the optical clock is provided on a second signal path; a first signal optical coupler for providing a first level of power of the amplitude-modulated optical signal to a first input of a first photo detector; a first reference optical coupler for providing a first level of power of the optical clock signal to a second input of the first photo detector, the first photo detector being a balanced photo detector; a second signal optical coupler for providing a second level of power of the amplitude-modulated optical signal to a third input of a second photo detector, the second level of power of the amplitude-modulated optical signal being approximately equal to the first level of power of the amplitude-modulated optical signal; a second reference optical coupler for providing a second level of power of the optical clock signal to a fourth input of the second photo detector, the second level of power of the optical clock signal being less than the first level of power of the optical clock signal, the second photo detector being a balanced photo detector; a first output associated with the first photo detector; and a second output associated with the second photo detector;
wherein the first output and the second output provide a thermometer electronic output signal corresponding to an amplitude relationship of the optical clock signal and the amplitude-modulated optical pulse signal. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification