Photonic integrated circuit multi-wavelength phase modulator networks
AssigneeRaytheon Company
InventorStephen P. Palese
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus includes a photonic integrated circuit having an optical phased array, where the optical phased array includes multiple unit cells. Each unit cell includes at least one antenna element configured to transmit or receive multiple optical signals having spectrally-distinct wavelengths or wavelength ranges. Each unit cell also includes at least one signal pathway configured to transport the optical signals to or from the at least one antenna element. Each unit cell further includes a phase modulator configured to modify phases of the optical signals being transported through the at least one signal pathway. Each unit cell is configured to provide correlated phase shifts to the optical signals having the spectrally-distinct wavelengths or wavelength ranges.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- a photonic integrated circuit comprising an optical phased array, the optical phased array comprising multiple unit cells, each unit cell comprising:
- at least one antenna element configured to transmit or receive multiple optical signals having spectrally-distinct wavelengths or wavelength ranges;
- at least one signal pathway configured to transport the optical signals to or from the at least one antenna element;
- and
- a phase modulator configured to modify phases of the optical signals being transported through the at least one signal pathway;
- wherein each unit cell is configured to provide correlated phase shifts to the optical signals having the spectrally-distinct wavelengths or wavelength ranges.
A method comprising:
- transmitting or receiving optical signals having spectrally-distinct wavelengths or wavelength ranges at a photonic integrated circuit comprising an optical phased array, the optical phased array comprising multiple unit cells, the unit cells comprising (i) antenna elements configured to transmit or receive the optical signals, (ii) signal pathways configured to transport the optical signals to or from the antenna elements, and (iii) phase modulators configured to modify phases of the optical signals being transported through the signal pathways;
- and
- providing correlated phase shifts to the optical signals having the spectrally-distinct wavelengths or wavelength ranges using the unit cells.
An apparatus comprising:
- a photonic integrated circuit comprising an optical phased array, the optical phased array comprising multiple unit cells, each unit cell comprising:
- means for transmitting or receiving multiple optical signals having spectrally-distinct wavelengths or wavelength ranges;
- means for transporting the optical signals to or from the at least one antenna element;
- and
- means for modifying phases of the optical signals being transported through the at least one signal pathway;
- wherein each unit cell is configured to provide correlated phase shifts to the optical signals having the spectrally-distinct wavelengths or wavelength ranges.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.