Electro-optic module, Luneberg lens having same and related methods of operation

A receiver comprising:

• a Luneburg lens;
• and
• a plurality of up-conversion modules attached to the Luneburg lens,
• wherein each of the plurality of up-conversion modules comprises an antenna element positioned to capture an incoming RF beam focused by the Luneburg lens onto the antenna element and convert the same to an RF electrical signal and an electro-optic modulator configured to up-convert the RF electric signal to the optical domain by modulating an optical carrier with the RF electrical signal provided by the antenna element, wherein each electro-optic modulator comprises an RF transmission line electrically connected to the antenna element and an optical modulation layer forming an optical waveguide, the optical waveguide having an input to receive the optical carrier and positioned adjacent to the RF transmission line to allow an electromagnetic field of the RF electrical signal to overlap the optical waveguide and modulate the optical carrier with the electromagnetic field;
• and
• a base substrate, wherein the antenna element, the RF transmission line, the optical modulation layer, and the base substrate are integrated as a stack and are located within a footprint of the antenna element.

A receiver comprising:

• a Luneburg lens;
• and
• a plurality of up-conversion modules attached to the Luneburg lens,
• wherein each of the plurality of up-conversion modules comprises an antenna element positioned to capture an incoming RF beam focused by the Luneburg lens onto the antenna element and convert the same to an RF electrical signal and an electro-optic modulator configured to up-convert the RF electric signal to the optical domain by modulating an optical carrier with the RF electrical signal provided by the antenna element, wherein each electro-optic modulator comprises an RF transmission line electrically connected to the antenna element and an optical modulation layer forming an optical waveguide, the optical waveguide having an input to receive the optical carrier and positioned adjacent to the RF transmission line to allow an electromagnetic field of the RF electrical signal to overlap the optical waveguide and modulate the optical carrier with the electromagnetic field, and
• wherein each up-conversion module comprises a housing attached to the Luneburg lens, wherein the antenna element, the RF transmission line, and the optical modulation layer are positioned within the housing.

A receiver comprising:

• a Luneburg lens;
• and
• a plurality of up-conversion modules attached to the Luneburg lens,
• wherein each of the plurality of up-conversion modules comprises an antenna element positioned to capture an incoming RF beam focused by the Luneburg lens onto the antenna element and convert the same to an RF electrical signal and an electro-optic modulator configured to up-convert the RF electric signal to the optical domain by modulating an optical carrier with the RF electrical signal provided by the antenna element, wherein each electro-optic modulator comprises an RF transmission line electrically connected to the antenna element and an optical modulation layer forming an optical waveguide, the optical waveguide having an input to receive the optical carrier and positioned adjacent to the RF transmission line to allow an electromagnetic field of the RF electrical signal to overlap the optical waveguide and modulate the optical carrier with the electromagnetic field, and
• wherein the antenna element, the RF transmission line, and the optical modulation layer are formed as a stack of integrated layers that are joined together in a package that is attached to the Luneburg lens.

A receiver comprising:

• a Luneburg lens;
• and
• a plurality of up-conversion modules attached to the Luneburg lens,
• wherein each of the plurality of up-conversion modules comprises an antenna element positioned to pick up an incoming RF beam focused by the Luneburg lens onto the antenna element and convert the same to an RF electrical signal, and an electro-optic modulator that up-converts the RF electric signal to the optical domain by modulating an optical carrier with the RF electrical signal provided by the antenna element, the electro-optic modulator comprising:
• an RF transmission line configured to receive the RF electrical signal from the antenna element and generate a corresponding electromagnetic field;
• and
• an optical modulation layer adjacent to the RF transmission line and within the corresponding electromagnetic field such that the electromagnetic field modulates the optical carrier in an optical waveguide of the optical modulation layer and generates a modulated optical signal, wherein the antenna element, the RF transmission line, and the optical modulation layer are integrated together in a package that is attached to the Luneburg lens,
• wherein the package comprises a molding compound that encapsulates the antenna element, the RF transmission line, and the optical modulation layer.