Realizing Large-Scale Integrated RF Photonic Signal Processing Systems
Abstract
The project will investigate a hybrid radio-frequency (RF) photonic receiver architecture that allows flexible operation over a large range of frequency bands, large bandwidth while also offering low device size, weight, and power consumption (SWaP). The architecture will synergistically integrate several photonic components with complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) circuits to offer unprecedented frequency agility over a wide range of spectrum; work can potentially result in new ultra-wide instantaneous bandwidth and rapid dynamic tuning radios and RADARs to meet wide ranging communication standards, and facilitate significantly improved interoperability while at the same time being adaptable to hostile jamming.Technology development leveraging integrated photonics for RF applications has thus far largely focused on individual components, which are manually tuned to compensate for manufacturing and temperature variations. To enable future RF photonic ICs with large-scale integration; researchers must reconsider the hybrid integrated circuit paradigm by leveraging ultra-wideband signal processing capability of photonic devices. The research approach will be to first develop a photonic design kit with standard cell libraries and compact models to enable large scale integration of photonic components in ICs. Next, to process RF signals in optical domain, a linear electronically-calibrated RF-to-optical modulator will be developed. The modulator’s output will be processed using a reconfigurable optical filter designed using silicon-based tunable microring structures, while rejecting hostile interfering signals. Adaptive tuning algorithms will be developed and implemented in CMOS electronics to rapidly switch between frequency bands. Research outcomes will empower RF IC researchers by equipping them with a new photonics expertise to take on design challenge of operating over 20 GHz of spectrum to achieve gigabits per second data rates.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 06, 2017
- Source ID
- FA95501710076
Entities
People
- Vishal Saxena
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of Idaho