Abstract
The University of Central Florida invention enables optical receivers, modulators, or both, to provide high bandwidth and sensitivity capabilities for applications such as free-space optical (FSO) communication systems. An FSO system receiver, in general, must be broadband, both in wavelength (spectrum) and speed, to allow for high communication rates. At the same time, it must have a large aperture (or field-of-view, FoV) to capture the incoming light signal over a wide angle. Unfortunately, existing methods for increasing a receiver’s FoV and preserving high bandwidth have drawbacks such as complicated architectures, large input power requirements, or limitations in photocurrent production. The UCF technology helps to resolve such issues and supports more dynamic applications with high mobility and high bandwidth communications.
Technical Details
The UCF invention comprises systems and methods for using groups of optical receiver or modulator elements (or both) in series to provide high-bandwidth operation while minimizing tradeoffs with other key parameters.
In one example application, an optical receiver can include an array of photodetectors serially connected (in a rectangular, square, elliptical, or circular distribution) and uniformly lit by flood illumination, such as a continuous-wave laser or a light-emitting diode (LED). Optical elements (lenses or mirrors) collect the flood illumination and direct it to the photodetectors. A signal light illuminates a subset of the photodetectors (or a single photodetector) to provide optimal photocurrent. Meanwhile, the flood illumination powers the serially connected photodetectors to generate photocurrent without limiting the overall photocurrent output of the array. This results in both high bandwidth and high sensitivity.
An optical modulator example includes a group of PN junction modulators connected in series and driven by a common driving voltage. Thus, the length of the entire modulator increases by a factor of N, and the equivalent capacitance of the entire modulator decreases by a factor of N compared to a single modulator unit.
Partnering Opportunity
The research team is looking for partners to develop the technology further for commercialization.
Benefit
Enhances the bandwidth of modulations and detection without sacrificing performance metricsIncreases photocurrent generationSupports a greater field-of-view (FoV) without complex setups and large input powerMarket Application
Free-space and fiber optical communication components and systems
Brochure
