Optoelectronic Analog-Digital Converter

We propose a novel poly-phase sampling scheme for an optoelectronic analog-to-digital converter (ADC) module which entails parallel sampling of different phases of an input RF signal to realize a 12-bit 10.24GSPS RF signal AD conversion. A unique feature of this approach is that electrical-in to electrical-out signal transfer is maintained for the optoelectronic sampling and demultiplexing circuits. A cellular architecture will be implemented, enabling to seamlessly integrate optical sampling and demultiplexing circuits with electronic quantization circuits without intermediary stages of electrical-to-optical or optical-to-electrical conversion. Moreover, higher sample rate system can be scaled based on the proposed sampling scheme and the cellular architectures. Based on the proposed technical approach using poly-phase sampling technique and OE cells integrated with off-the-shell electronic quantizers, an aggregate sampling rate over 10GSPS and 12-bit resolution can be attained in this photonic analog-to-digital conversion module. Phase I will evaluate the technical approach through the demonstration, and Phase II will develop the testing prototype module.