Electronic devices with high frequency polarization optimization

A wireless transmitter comprising:

• a first uni-travelling-carrier (UTC) photodiode;
• a first antenna radiating element coupled to the first UTC photodiode;
• a second UTC photodiode;
• a second antenna radiating element coupled to the second UTC photodiode and having a polarization orthogonal to the first antenna radiating element;
• a first laser;
• a second laser;
• a polarization combiner;
• a first optical combiner coupled to a first input of the polarization combiner;
• a second optical combiner coupled to a second input of the polarization combiner;
• a first optical path that couples the first laser to the first optical combiner, the first laser being configured to output a first optical signal at a first frequency onto the first optical path, and the first optical signal having a first polarization on the first optical path;
• a second optical path that couples the first laser to the second optical combiner, the first laser being configured to output a second optical signal at the first frequency onto the second optical path, and the second optical signal having a second polarization on the second optical path that is orthogonal to the first polarization;
• a third optical path that couples the second laser to the first optical combiner, the second laser being configured to output a third optical signal at a second frequency different from the first frequency onto the third optical path;
• a polarization splitter coupled to the first photodiode and the second photodiode;
• a fourth optical path that couples an output of the polarization combiner to the polarization splitter, wherein
• the first photodiode is configured to produce, based on the first and third optical signals, a first current on the first antenna radiating element that causes the first antenna radiating element to transmit first wireless signals having the first polarization, and
• the second photodiode is configured to produce, based on the second and third optical signals, a second current on the second antenna radiating element that causes the second antenna radiating element to transmit second wireless signals having the second polarization;
• and
• an optical modulator disposed on the first optical path and configured to modulate data onto the first optical signal.

A method of operating an electronic device comprising:

• outputting, using a first light source, a first optical signal at a first frequency on a first optical path;
• outputting, using the first light source, a second optical signal at the first frequency on a second optical path;
• modulating, using an optical modulator, data onto the first optical signal;
• generating, using a second light source, a third optical signal at a second frequency different from the first frequency on a third optical path;
• providing, using a first optical combiner coupled to the first and third optical paths, the first optical signal and the third optical signal to a first input of a polarization combiner;
• providing, using a second optical combiner coupled to the second and third optical paths, the second optical signal and the third optical signal to a second input of the polarization combiner;
• combining, using the polarization combiner, the first, second, and third optical signals onto a fourth optical path;
• supplying, using the fourth optical path, the fourth optical signal to a polarization splitter;
• supplying, using the polarization splitter, the first and third optical signals to a first photodiode;
• and
• supplying, using the polarization splitter, the second and third optical signals to a second photodiode;
• generating, using the first photodiode, a first current on a first antenna radiating element based on the first and third optical signals that causes the first antenna radiating element to transmit first wireless signals having a first polarization;
• and
• generating, using the second photodiode, a second current on a second antenna radiating element based on the second and third optical signals that causes the second antenna radiating element to transmit second wireless signals having a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization.