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Continuously tunable photonic true-time-delay device for millimeter-wave beamforming.
Optics Letters
|December 20, 2022
Summary
We developed a new silicon plasma dispersion method for photonic true-time-delay structures. This enables fast millimeter-wave beamforming for 5G and 6G communications.
Area of Science:
- Photonics
- Semiconductor Devices
- Telecommunications
Background:
- Millimeter-wave (mmWave) and terahertz (THz) communication systems require advanced beamforming techniques.
- Photonic true-time-delay (TTD) structures are crucial for high-performance beamforming.
- Existing TTD solutions face challenges in speed, tunability, and CMOS compatibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a novel, CMOS-compatible plasma dispersion modulation scheme for slow-wave photonic TTD structures.
- To leverage the frozen mode for enhanced performance in mmWave beamforming applications.
- To demonstrate a practical approach for fast and sophisticated modulation in next-generation wireless communications.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a plasma dispersion modulation scheme within a slow-wave photonic TTD structure.
- Employed the Soref-Bennett model to describe the electro-refractive effect in silicon plasma dispersion.
- Investigated the frozen mode phenomenon for signal delay control.
Main Results:
- Achieved continuous tunability of approximately 6.8 ps/V.
- Demonstrated a peak delay of approximately 11.4 ps.
- Required a low threshold voltage of 0.9 V for operation.
Conclusions:
- The proposed plasma dispersion modulation is CMOS compatible and suitable for slow-wave photonic TTD structures.
- This technique enables fast and sophisticated modulation for mmWave beamforming.
- The technology holds significant potential for advancing 5G mmWave and 6G THz communication systems.
