Realizing Large-Scale Integrated RF Photonic Signal Processing Systems

Abstract

In this project, we demonstrated several large-scale integration of photonic integrated circuits (PICs), with greater than 100 components, using a design and fabrication flow similar to the conventional CMOS electronic integrated circuits (ICs). The scientific goals of this research were to harness integrated photonics to develop a new wireless radio receiver paradigm that overcomes fundamental limitations associated with existing electronic integrated circuits. The research approach was to first develop a photonic design kit with standard cell libraries, compact models and novel rapid simulation techniques to enable large scale integration of photonic components in PICs. Next, to process RF signals in optical domain, linearized ring-assisted RF-to-optical modulators were developed. The radio-frequency (RF) modulated output is further processed using a reconfigurable optical filter designed using silicon-based tunable microring structures, while rejecting hostile interfering signals. Adaptive tuning algorithms have been developed and implemented using an electronic backend to adaptive tune a desired filter response. Passive PIC reconfigurability using 2D optical mesh architecture was also investigated.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 22, 2022
Accession Number
AD1230846

Entities

People

  • Vivek Utgikar

Organizations

  • University of Idaho

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Integrated Circuit Design and Technology.
  • Phased Array Antenna Design.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics