Optically based analog-digital converter
An optically-based analogue-to-digital converter includes a first combiner with a first input for an optical reference signal, and a second input for an input signal that is to be digitised, a second combiner with a first input for a pulsed laser signal, and a second input, which is connected to the output of the first combiner, and an evaluation unit, which evaluates the output signal of the second combiner.
1 . An optically-based analogue-to-digital converter comprising:
a first combiner with a first input for an optical reference signal, and a second input for an input signal that is to be digitised;
a second combiner with a first input for a pulsed laser signal, and a second input connected to an output of the first combiner; and
a quantum pulse gate connected to an output of the second combiner and including an output that outputs at least one optical signal to at least one optoelectronic converter for conversion into at least one analog signal which is in turn converted into at least one digital signal.
2 . The optically-based analogue-to-digital converter in accordance with claim 1 , wherein an optical modulator is arranged ahead of the second input for the input signal that is to be digitised, and wherein the optical modulator modulates an optical input signal based on the input signal that is to be digitised.
3 . The optically-based analogue-to-digital converter in accordance with claim 1 , wherein an electro-optical modulator is arranged ahead of the second input for the input signal that is to be digitised, wherein the electro-optical modulator modulates an optical input signal based on the input signal that is to be digitised, and wherein the input signal that is to be digitised is an electrical signal.
4 . The optically-based analogue-to-digital converter in accordance with claim 3 , wherein a first splitter is arranged ahead of the electro-optical modulator, wherein the first splitter splits an optical signal, wherein a first part of the split optical signal is made available to the electro-optical modulator as the optical input signal, and a second part of the split optical signal is fed to the first input of the first combiner as the optical reference signal.
5 . The optically-based analogue-to-digital converter in accordance with claim 1 , wherein an RF laser is arranged ahead of the second input for the input signal that is to be digitised, wherein the RF laser is controlled based on the input signal that is to be digitised, and wherein the input signal that is to be digitised is an electrical signal.
6 . The optically-based analogue-to-digital converter in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the optical reference signal is provided by a laser.
7 . The optically-based analogue-to-digital converter in accordance with claim 1 , wherein a pulse shaper is arranged ahead of the first input for the pulsed laser signal.
8 . The optically-based analogue-to-digital converter in accordance with claim 7 , wherein input for the pulse shaper is provided by a pulsed laser.
9 . The optically-based analogue-to-digital converter in accordance with claim 7 , wherein a second splitter is arranged directly ahead of the pulse shaper, wherein a first part of an optical signal split by the second splitter is made available to the pulse shaper, and a second part of the optical signal split by the second splitter is fed to the first input of the first combiner as the optical reference signal via an optical parametric oscillator.
10 . The optically-based analogue-to-digital converter in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the optically-based analogue-to-digital converter is implemented with discrete components.
11 . The optically-based analogue-to-digital converter in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the quantum pulse gate is a multi-output quantum pulse gate.
12 . The optically-based analogue-to-digital converter in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the quantum pulse gate has a poled non-linear waveguide.
13 . The optically-based analogue-to-digital converter in accordance with claim 12 , wherein the non-linear waveguide is periodically poled.
14 . The optically-based analogue-to-digital converter in accordance with claim 12 , wherein the non-linear waveguide is aperiodically poled.
15 . The optically-based analogue-to-digital converter in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the quantum pulse gate has a poled lithium niobate waveguide, and/or a poled potassium titanyl phosphate waveguide.
16 . The optically-based analogue-to-digital converter in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising the at least one optoelectronic converter.
17 . The optically-based analogue-to-digital converter in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising a first optical bandpass filter.
18 . The optically-based analogue-to-digital converter in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the optically-based analogue-to-digital converter is fully integrated.
19 . The optically-based analogue-to-digital converter in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the optically-based analogue-to-digital converter is at least partially integrated.