US 11,942,695 B2
Widely scalable, modular phase control of optical channels
Amjed Hallak, Elkton, MD (US); and Matthew Gallion, Middletown, DE (US)
Assigned to Phase Sensitive Innovations, Inc., Newark, DE (US)
Filed by Phase Sensitive Innovations, Inc., Newark, DE (US)
Filed on Aug. 17, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/890,017.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/234,151, filed on Aug. 17, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0059105 A1, Feb. 23, 2023
Int. Cl. H01Q 3/26 (2006.01); H04B 10/61 (2013.01)
CPC H01Q 3/2676 (2013.01) [H04B 10/6165 (2013.01); H04B 2210/006 (2013.01)] 42 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for controlling phase in a plurality of optical signal channels, the apparatus comprising:
an optical source configured to output an optical source signal;
a splitter that receives the optical source signal, and splits the optical source signal into synchronized signals having the same phase and frequency, the synchronized signals including a reference signal and a carrier signal;
a plurality of phase modulators, each connected to receive the carrier signal and based on the carrier signal, to transmit an output signal, thereby resulting in a plurality of respective phase modulator output signals as a plurality of optical input signals;
a synchronization controller configured to generate and output a periodic voltage function and a voltage function start indicator signal;
a reference phase modulator connected to receive the periodic voltage function from the synchronization controller, and configured to modulate the reference signal according to the periodic voltage function to generate a modulated reference signal, and to output the modulated reference signal;
an optical processor connected to receive the modulated reference signal and the plurality of optical input signals and configured to, for each particular optical input signal of the plurality of optical input signals, generate an interference signal based on the particular optical input signal and the modulated reference signal, thereby generating a respective interference signal for each respective optical input signal of the plurality of optical input signals; and
a plurality of digital processors, connected to simultaneously receive the voltage function start indicator signal output by the synchronization controller, each digital processor connected to a respective group of phase modulators and configured to output an adjustment signal to a respective phase modulator of the respective group of phase modulators, wherein the adjustment signals for each group of phase modulators are based on respective interference signals generated by the optical processor, and each adjustment signal causes a respective phase modulator to control the phase of its respective phase modulator output signal.