Abstract
Optical synchronization of large-span arrays offers significant benefits over electrical methods in terms of the weight, cost, power dissipation, and complexity of the clock distribution network. This work presents the analysis and design of the first phased array transmitter synchronized using a fully monolithic CMOS optical receiver. We demonstrate a bulk CMOS, 8-element, 28-GHz phased array building block with an on-chip photodiode (PD) that receives and processes the optical clock and uses an integrated PLL to generate eight independent phase-programmable RF outputs. The system demonstrates beam steering, data transmission, and remote synchronization of array elements at 28 GHz with fiber lengths up to 25 m, in order to show the scaling benefits of our approach. The provision of small footprint and cost-effective CMOS transceivers with integrated optoelectronic receivers enables exciting opportunities for low-cost and ultralight array systems.
Highlights
L OW-COST, functionally complex silicon mm-wave and RF integrated circuits (RFICs) [1]–[5] have significantly changed the nature and potential applications of phased arrays
Outdoor terrestrial and space applications can take advantage of the physical flexibility of Optical timing synchronization (OTS) to enable large arrays, possibly bendable and/or conformable, which may be used in communications, radar, imaging, radio astronomy, and so on
We will use a simplified timing distribution model to compare the performance of the various approaches and draw conclusions regarding their potential applications
Summary
L OW-COST, functionally complex silicon mm-wave and RF integrated circuits (RFICs) [1]–[5] have significantly changed the nature and potential applications of phased arrays. Outdoor terrestrial and space applications can take advantage of the physical flexibility of OTS to enable large arrays, possibly bendable and/or conformable, which may be used in communications, radar, imaging, radio astronomy, and so on. Constructing these systems out of a large number of sub-modules enables economies of scale and design flexibility, such as hybrid solutions using OTS with local electrical timing distribution, as illustrated in Fig. 1(b) and (c).
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