Optically-based frequency synthesizer for generating an electric output signal at a preselected frequency that can be changed over a wide band of frequencies for communication purpose
US5335106A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 30, 1992 |
| Grant date | Aug 2, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 30, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04B2210/006
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The optically-based frequency synthesizer for generating an electric output signal at a preselected frequency having a given period that can be changed over a wide band of frequencies for communication purposes, comprises a modulator having an input for receiving a command signal, and an output for generating a current driving signal having a DC component, and a modulating component formed of an AC signal having a predetermined time period which is an integer multiple of the period of the preselected frequency, and an amplitude responsive to the command signal, a laser having an input for receiving the current driving signal, the coherent light signal having a given coherence time; optical isolators for receiving the light signal emitted by said laser; a splitter having an input optically connected to the isolators; a first optical path having an end optically connected to the splitter; and a second optical path having an end optically connected to the splitter, and a delay means along its length, the time delay being shorter than the coherence time. The synthesizer also comprises a recombiner having first and second inputs optically connected to the paths respectively; and a non-l…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.