Department of Electrical and Systems Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
Nat Commun. 2023 Mar 14;14(1):1414. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-37103-w.
Millimeter-wave (mm-wave) phased arrays can realize multi-Gb/s communication links but face challenges such as signal distribution and higher power consumption hindering their widespread deployment. Hybrid photonic mm-wave solutions combined with fiber-optics can address some of these bottlenecks. Here, we report an integrated photonic-assisted phased array transmitter applicable for low-power, compact radio heads in fiber to mm-wave fronthaul links. The transmitter utilizes optical heterodyning within an electronically controlled photonic network for mm-wave generation, beamforming, and steering. A photonic matrix phase adjustment architecture reduces the number of phase-shift elements from M × N to M + N lowering area and power requirements. A proof-of-concept 2 × 8 phased array transmitter is implemented that can operate from 24-29 GHz, has a steering range of 40°, and achieves 5 dBm EIRP at an optical power of 55 mW without using active mm-wave electronics. Data streams at 2.5 Gb/s are transmitted over 3.6 km of optical fiber and wirelessly transmitted attaining bit-error rates better than 10.
毫米波（mm-wave）相控阵可以实现多 Gb/s 的通信链路，但面临着信号分配和更高功耗等挑战，这阻碍了它们的广泛部署。结合光纤的混合光子 mm-wave 解决方案可以解决其中的一些瓶颈问题。在这里，我们报告了一种集成的光子辅助相控阵发射器，适用于光纤到 mm-wave 前传链路中的低功耗、紧凑型无线电头。该发射器利用电子控制的光子网络中的光外差来产生 mm-wave、波束成形和转向。光子矩阵相位调整架构将相移元件的数量从 M×N 减少到 M+N，从而降低了面积和功耗要求。实现了一个 2×8 相控阵发射器的概念验证，该发射器可以在 24-29GHz 工作，具有 40°的转向范围，在不使用有源 mm-wave 电子设备的情况下，在 55mW 的光功率下实现 5dBm 的 EIRP。2.5Gb/s 的数据流在 3.6km 的光纤上传输，并通过无线传输实现，误码率优于 10。
