A Photonic Analog-to-Digital Converter for Ultra High-Speed and High-Resolution Applications

ECCS-0702087N。Dagli，加州大学圣巴巴拉分校智力优势：该集成系统提案为光子模数转换器引入了一种新的新颖方法，该转换器可以在40 GS/s或更高的采样率下提供8位分辨率。所提出的模数转换器非常类似于没有光纤的波分复用光纤数字链路。它由多波长光源、量化器、采样器和接收器组成。光源是几个以不同波长工作的不同半导体激光器。量化器是一种高速非平衡马赫-曾德尔电光调制器。使用低电压和高速马赫-曾德尔电光调制器进行采样。使用相同的检测阈值来检测不同波长的采样输出，并且接收器的数字输出生成与施加到量化器的模拟信号的数字化版本相对应的代码。该系统的大部分部件是公知的并且可商购获得。其中最关键的部分是作为量化器和采样器的低压高速马赫-曾德尔电光调制器。该项目的重点是开发这一关键组件，并对一个按比例缩小的模数转换器进行概念验证，该模数转换器的工作速度为20 GS/s，分辨率为3 bit。广泛影响：该项目的直接影响将是满足雷达和高速仪器等应用对高分辨率和高带宽模数转换器的需求。然而，有一个更广泛的影响，这是高度集成，高功能和低成本的光子系统的发展。这种发展可以使技术用于许多其他应用，如低成本、高性能的信号处理和数据传输。此外，该项目所需的微芯片设计，制造，测试和光学系统建模形成了一个优秀的教育工具，以培养科学和工程关键领域的高技能劳动力。

ECCS-0702087N. Dagli, University of California-Santa BarbaraIntellectual Merit: This integrative systems proposal introduces a new and novel approach for a photonic analog to digital converter that can deliver eight bits of resolution at sampling rates of 40 GS/s and higher. The proposed analog to digital converter resembles very much to a wavelength division multiplexed fiber optic digital link without the fiber. It consists of a multi wavelength source, a quantizer, a sampler and receivers. The source is several different semiconductor lasers operating at different wavelengths. The quantizer is a high-speed unbalanced Mach-Zehnder electro-optic modulator. The sampling is performed using low-voltage and high-speed Mach-Zehnder electro-optic modulators. The sampled outputs at different wavelengths are detected using the same detection threshold and the digital outputs of the receivers generate a code corresponding to the digitized version of the analog signal applied to the quantizer. Most parts of this system are well known and commercially available. The most critical part is the low-voltage and high-speed Mach-Zehnder electro-optic modulator for the quantizer and sampler. The focus of this proposal is to develop this critical component and make a proof of concept demonstration of a scaled down version of the analog to digital converter operating at 20 GS/s with 3 bit resolution.Broad Impact: The immediate impact of this project will be to fill in the need for much sought-after high resolution and high bandwidth analog to digital converter for applications such as radar and high speed instrumentation. Yet there is a broader impact which is the development of highly integrated, highly functional and low cost photonic systems. Such developments could enable technologies for many other applications such as low-cost high-performance signal processing and data transmission. Furthermore, microchip design, fabrication, testing and optical system modeling required in this project form an excellent educational vehicle to prepare highly skilled work force in critical areas of science and engineering.