Tunable Delay Research Articles

Silicon photonic integrated wideband radio frequency self-interference cancellation chip for over-the-air in-band full-duplex communication

Compared with the traditional frequency division duplex and time division duplex, the in-band full-duplex (IBFD) technology can double the spectrum utilization efficiency and information transmission rate. However, radio frequency (RF) self-interference is a key issue to be resolved for the application of IBFD. The photonic RF self-interference cancellation (SIC) scheme has the advantages of wide bandwidth, high amplitude and time delay tuning precision, and immunity to electromagnetic interference. To meet the requirements of the new generation of mobile terminals and satellite payloads, the photonic RF SIC system is desired to be miniaturization, integration and low power consumption. In this paper, the integrated photonic RF SIC scheme is proposed and demonstrated on silicon-based platform. By utilizing the opposite bias points of the on-chip dual Mach-Zehnder modulators, the phase inversion relationship for SIC is realized over a broad frequency band. The time delay structure combining the optically switched waveguide and compact spiral waveguide enables continuous tuning of time over a wide bandwidth. The optical amplitude adjuster provides efficient amplitude control with a large dynamic range. After being packaged with optical, direct current and RF design, the photonic RF SIC chip exhibits the interference cancellation capabilities across L, S, C, X, Ku, K, and Ka bands. In the S and C bands, a cancellation depth exceeding 20 dB was measured across a bandwidth of 4.8 GHz. An impressive cancellation depth of over 40 dB was achieved within a bandwidth of 80 MHz at central frequency of 2 GHz. For the application of over-the-air IBFD communication at the newly promulgated center frequency of 6 GHz for 5G communication, the cancellation depth of 21.7 dB was demonstrated in the bandwidth of 100 MHz and the low power signals of interest were recovered successfully.

Measurement of Tunable Optical Delay Using Wavelength Conversion and Fiber Dispersion

In fiber communication system, delay elements are essential for coherent receivers and in the situation of time division multiplexing. Optical communication is transmitted with light. It has a propagation delay. So, in this system, the performance of optical delay element is demonstrated on wavelength conversion, effects of single mode fiber (SMF) dispersion and fiber length. A numerical simulation is used to predict the performance of delay element for different experimental conditions. It has been proven that when the wavelength is changed and its element covers the entire C band. The system is used with the suitable optical pump power and various fiber lengths. It is accomplished with the various parameters by using Opti-system Software. The system operates near 1550 nm and generates delays time approximately 2.65 nanoseconds. In this paper, the performance value is also stated the table which is comparison of theorical result and practical result of delay time.

Role of delay in brain dynamics

Significant variations of delays among connecting neurons cause an inevitable disadvantage of asynchronous brain dynamics compared to synchronous deep learning. However, this study demonstrates that this disadvantage can be converted into a computational advantage using a network with a single output and M multiple delays between successive layers, thereby generating a polynomial time-series outputs with M. The proposed role of delay in brain dynamics (RoDiB) model, is capable of learning increasing number of classified labels using a fixed architecture, and overcomes the inflexibility of the brain to update the learning architecture using additional neurons and connections. Moreover, the achievable accuracies of the RoDiB system are comparable with those of its counterpart tunable single delay architectures with M outputs. Further, the accuracies are significantly enhanced when the number of output labels exceeds its fully connected input size. The results are mainly obtained using simulations of VGG-6 on CIFAR datasets and also include multiple label inputs. However, currently only a small fraction of the abundant number of RoDiB outputs is utilized, thereby suggesting its potential for advanced computational power yet to be discovered.

Exceptional points in the microcavity with phonon pump enhance the transparency and slow light.

We theoretically investigated optomechanically induced transparency (OMIT) and slow light in a microcavity optomechanical system containing three nanoparticles, where the pump-probe field drives the cavity and a weak phonon pump drives the mechanical resonator. When the phonon pump frequency matches the pump-probe field frequency difference, adjusting the phonon pump's amplitude and phase can result in the transparency window exceeding unity. Tuning the relative positions of nanoparticles can periodically steer the system to exceptional points (EPs), further enhancing and modulating the transparency window. Furthermore, the phonon pump causes the phase dispersion at the transparency window to become highly steep, resulting in a large value and tunable group delay. Notably, when the system is at EPs, the slow light can be enhanced by approximately two times compared to when the system is not at EPs. Our research demonstrates a way to control optical transmission with potential applications in quantum communications and optical buffers.

Optically Delaying a Radio Frequency–Linear Frequency-Modulated (RF-LFM) Pulse Using Kerr Comb Carriers and Off-the-Shelf Concatenation of a Linearly Chirped Fiber Bragg Grating and a Chirped-and-Sampled Fiber Bragg Grating

We demonstrate a low latency delay of a radio frequency (RF)–linear frequency-modulated (LFM) pulse by modulating it onto optical carriers from a Kerr comb and sending the signal through a concatenation of off-the-shelf linearly chirped fiber Bragg gratings (LC-FBGs) and chirped-and-sampled FBG (CS-FBG). We characterize the frequency response and latency of the LC-FBG and CS-FBG. Then, experimentally, the LFM pulse performance is characterized by measuring the peak sidelobe level (PSL) at the output of the tunable delay system. The experiment, performed with an LFM pulse of 1 GHz bandwidth at a 10 GHz center frequency, shows a PSL better than 34.4 dB, attesting to the high quality of the buffer RF transfer function. Thus, the proposed optical memory buffer architecture, utilizing compact devices based on a Kerr comb and FBGs, offers several benefits for delaying LFM pulses, including (i) a larger tunable delay range, (ii) low latency, (iii) wide bandwidth, and (iv) high PSL.

A high-static-low-dynamic-stiffness delayed resonator vibration absorber

Delayed resonator (DR), which enables complete vibration suppression through loop delay tuning, has been extensively investigated as a linear active dynamic vibration absorber since its invention. Besides, the nonlinear high-static-low-dynamic stiffness (HSLDS) has been widely used in vibration isolators for broadband (yet incomplete) vibration reduction. This work combines the benefits of DR and the nonlinear HSLDS characteristics, thus creating a nonlinear DR (NDR). Three unexplored topics are considered: (1). To address the nonlinear dynamics that are made complicated by the introduction of delay and the nonlinearity coupled between the NDR and the primary structure; (2). To tune the control parameters to seek possible complete vibration suppression in the nonlinear case, and accordingly, to determine the operable frequency band; (3). To evaluate how the HSLDS characteristics can enhance the performance of the linear DR (LDR) and how to design an NDR to maximize its benefits. Without loss of generality, a classic nonlinear HSLDS structure with three springs and two links is considered, and mathematical tools and computational algorithms are introduced or proposed to efficiently address theoretical analysis. Using the parameters of an experimental setup, we show that a properly tuned NDR suppresses the vibrations on the primary structure to a sufficiently low level. Besides, the HSLDS characteristics extend the operable frequency band compared with the LDR, while strong nonlinearity limits such extension. The proposed analysis procedures for delay-coupled nonlinear dynamics, alongside the control parameter tuning, determination of operable frequency bands, and structural design rules, establish a basic theoretical framework for the NDR design.

A microwave photonic radio frequency memory with tunable delay resolution and Doppler frequency shift

Radar target simulation is essential for radar development. In this paper, a microwave photonic radio frequency memory (RFM) is proposed and experimentally verified. The input radio frequency (RF) signals are delayed and stored in a recirculating loop with a 4-bit binary optical true time delay line (OTTDL), which enables the achievement of the tunable delay resolution and multiple replications. The Doppler frequency shift (DFS) of the delayed signals is achieved by a Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM) and two cascaded acousto-optic modulators (AOMs), which facilitate a wide tuning range, high precision, and a high spurious suppression ratio (SSR). The experimental results demonstrate that the system has 16 distinct delay resolutions ranging from 0.045 us to 7.576 us. Furthermore, 30 circulations are achieved in the test, indicating that the theoretical maximum storage time is approximately 225 us. Additionally, the frequency shift for 1 GHz–18 GHz RF pulse signals can be tuned over a range of 10 Hz to 10 MHz, with a SSR exceeding 40 dB.

All-optical generation of full-range symmetry-tunable triangular-shaped pulses via wavelength multiplexing

A novel, to the best of our knowledge, all-optical approach for generating full-range symmetry-tunable triangular-shaped pulses through wavelength multiplexing is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. Two light-waves with a specified wavelength interval are injected in parallel into two commercial push–pull Mach–Zehnder modulators (MZMs) to carry the baseband radio frequency input. A tunable optical delay line (ODL) followed by one MZM is utilized to introduce the desired phase shift. By multiplexing the modulated signals carried on two wavelengths, triangular-shaped pulses can be achieved by the opto-electronic conversion. In this approach, by simply adjusting the DC bias voltages and the delay time offered by ODL, the triangular-shaped pulse with any self-defined symmetrical coefficient can be obtained. A complete theoretical analysis on the operation principle is presented and verified. The triangular-shaped pulses with full-range tunable symmetrical coefficients at the repetition rate of 5 GHz are successfully generated. This approach features all-optical architecture, ultra-wide system bandwidth, full-range tunable symmetry (0%–100%) and excellent reconfigurability, which are highly desired for the high-performance triangular-shaped pulse generator.

Rapid-calibration optical tunable delay line on 3-µm-thick SOI photonic platforms.

Optical tunable delay lines (OTDLs) which can capture temporal optical signals, and overcome the challenge of halting light are crucial for optical communications and microwave photonics. Here, a rapid-calibration 8-bit OTDL on the 3-µm-thick silicon-on-insulator (SOI) platform consisting of waveguide spirals and integrated optical switches is proposed, achieving a maximum delay time of 3570 ps with a resolution of 14 ps/stage. The large delay is attributed to the spirals of a 3-µm-thick SOI platform featuring a delay efficiency of approximately 11.49 ps/mm, with wavelength-insensitivity transmission loss of 0.32 dB/cm, and the polarization-dependent loss is only 0.075 dB/cm within 140 nm bandwidth. In addition, the optical switches with extinction ratios up to 50 dB. Integrated variable optical attenuators can suppress crosstalk and facilitate rapid calibration for OTDLs. The advantages of OTDLs' large delay time, high signal-to-noise, and rapid calibration make them suitable for optical programmers and microwave photonics radars.

Inscription of Long Chirped Fiber Bragg Gratings in a Nonuniform Fiber for Wide-Range Tunable Delay Line

Inscription of Long Chirped Fiber Bragg Gratings in a Nonuniform Fiber for Wide-Range Tunable Delay Line

A Multi-Format, Multi-Wavelength Erbium-Doped Fiber Ring Laser Using a Tunable Delay Line Interferometer

This work demonstrates the use of an erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA), a tunable bandpass filter (TBF), and a tunable delay line interferometer (TDLI) to form a ring laser that produces multi-format, multi-wavelength laser beams. The TDLI serves as the core of the proposed laser generation system. TDLI harnesses the weak Fabry–Pérot (FP) interferences generated by its built-in 50/50 beamsplitter (BS) with unalterable filtering characteristics and the interferences with free spectral range (FSR) adjustable from each of its two outputs with nearly complementary phases to superpose and generate a variable interference standing wave. The interferometric standing wave and weak FP interferences are used to form a spatial-hole burning to promote the excitation of multi-format and multi-wavelength lasers. The proposed system enables dual-wavelength spacing ranging from 0.3 nm to 3.35 nm, with a switchable wavelength position at approximately 1527 nm to 1535 nm, providing flexible tunability.

Adaptive delayed feedback control for stabilizing unstable steady states.

Delayed feedback control is a commonly used control method for stabilizing unstable periodic orbits and unstable steady states. The present paper proposes an adaptive tuning delay time rule for delayed feedback control focused on stabilizing unstable steady states. The rule is designed to slowly vary the delay time, increasing the difference between the past and current states of dynamical systems, which induces the delay time to automatically fall into the stability region. We numerically confirm that the tuning rule works well for the Stuart-Landau oscillator, FitzHugh-Nagumo model, and Lorenz system.

Fabrication of SNAP structures by wire heating.

Surface Nanoscale Axial Photonics (SNAP) is a promising technological platform for creating novel optical devices such as compact high-Q tunable delay lines, signal processors, and optical comb generators. For this purpose, the development of simple and reliable methods for the accurate introduction of a nanometer-scale variation of the optical fiber surface is desirable. Here, we present an easy-to-implement technique for the introduction of nanoscale variations of the effective optical fiber radius by annealing with a heated metal wire. Using the proposed method, we introduce modifications of the fiber effective radius with accuracy better than 0.1 nm without post-processing, making the proposed approach the simplest alternative to the previously developed SNAP fabrication techniques.

Electro-optically tunable optical delay on a lithium niobate photonic chip.

An approach for continuous tuning of on-chip optical delay with a microring resonator is proposed and demonstrated. By introducing an electro-optically tunable waveguide coupler, the bus waveguide to the resonance coupling can be effectively tuned from the under-coupling regime to the over-coupling regime. The optical delay is experimentally characterized by measuring the relative phase shift between lasers and shows a large dynamic range of delay from -600 to 600 ps and an efficient tuning of delay from -430 to -180 ps and from 40 to 240 ps by only a 5 V voltage.

Highly stable fiber-based photonic delay line with large and tunable delay.

A stable photonic delay line with large and tunable delay is essential for large-distance simulation, beamforming, and diverse photonic signal processing applications. Here, we demonstrate a fiber-based tunable photonic delay line (TPDL) with a maximum delay of 905 µs. Its environmental-related delay jitter is compensated for by a homodyne phase-locked loop (PLL). Precise delay tuning is realized by changing the phase of the reference with a minimum tuning step of 0.5 ps without breaking its locking state. The demonstrated delay line shows exceptional stability, as indicated by an overlapping Allan deviation (ADEV) of 2.06 × 10-17 at the averaging time of 1000 s and the delay jitter below 20 fs. Its high stability, wide delay range, wideband characteristics, and precise tunability make the TPDL an ideal photonic delay line for the above-mentioned applications.

A Multipath Approach to Self-Interference Cancellation in MIMO Rayleigh Fading Channels

An optically enabled multipath self-interference (MSI) cancellation technique for in-band full duplex (IBFD) multiple input multiple output (MIMO) Radio over Fiber RoF systems under Rayleigh fading channels is proposed. A digitally assisted Rayleigh fading channel model generates the MSI signal. An optically tunable multipath delay lines (OTMDL) module is designed using optical delay lines and an optical attenuator for coarse and fine-tuning of time delays and amplitude matching between the locally generated reference (LR) signal and the MSI signal. The OTMDL module adjusts the LR signal to cancel the effect of MSI on the signal received through the fading channel. The concept is validated using a remote sensor node of a 3 × 3 IBFD MIMO RoF system with a Rayleigh fading channel. The system's performance is evaluated by determining the MSI cancellation depths using the OTMDL section for various cancellation channels and by computing the MSI cancellation for both single band and wideband signals across different cancellation channels. An average value of MSI cancellation depth of 20.38 dB is obtained for a single-tone radio frequency signal in the range 15–25 GHz. Thus, the proposed system for MSI cancellation can be utilized in wireless communication systems in multiple ways.

Microwave fractional Hilbert transformer implemented in a dispersion-tailored few-mode fiber

We experimentally demonstrate, for the first time to our knowledge, a microwave fractional Hilbert transformer in a few-mode fiber using a transversal filtering approach. The filter taps are provided by a tunable true-time delay line that is realized by exploiting the spatial dimension of a dispersion-engineered double-clad step-index few-mode fiber. Both the fractional order and operational bandwidth of the fractional Hilbert transformer can be continuously tuned by adjusting the tap coefficients and varying the operational optical wavelength, respectively. The magnitude and phase response for different fractional orders, ranging from 0.17 to 1.00 that correspond to phase shifts of 15° to 90°, are measured. Operational bandwidths of 7.4 to 10.6 GHz are demonstrated for a classical Hilbert transformer. Real-time temporal fractional Hilbert transform of a Gaussian-like pulse is also performed. Our results are in good agreement with theory, validating the viability of our approach for implementation of microwave fractional Hilbert transformers.

Compact Optical Beamforming Chip Using Broadband Continuously Tunable Delay Lines

Compact Optical Beamforming Chip Using Broadband Continuously Tunable Delay Lines

A 0.5 V 10-bit SAR ADC with offset calibrated time-domain comparator

This paper presents a low voltage energy-efficient 10-bit SAR ADC. A double-merge and split (DMAS) switching scheme is proposed to reduce the CDAC switching energy by 92.2 % compared with conventional one without extra reference voltage (VCM). Gain tunable voltage-controlled delay unit (GT-VCDU) is proposed for offset calibration of time-domain comparator (TD-CMP). The residual offset is reduced by proposed stage-by-stage calibration. 1 sigma of TD-CMP offset is reduced to 0.8 mV. The SAR ADC is fabricated in the 55 nm CMOS process occupied a core area of 0.038mm2. With a supply voltage of 0.5 V and a Nyquist rate input, the prototype consumes 164 nW at 100kS/s. The ENOB is 8.86-bit, resulting a FoM of 3.53 fJ/conversion-step.

Continuously tunable silicon waveguide optical switched delay line based on grating-assisted contradirectional coupler

The integrated optical delay line plays a crucial role in microwave photonic chips. Continuous tunability is a growing trend in filtering and beamforming techniques of microwave photonics. Based on the silicon platform, we present and experimentally demonstrate an integrated continuously optical tunable delay line (OTDL) chip, which contains a 4-bit optical switched delay line (OSDL) and a thermally tunable delay line based on grating-assisted Contradirectional coupler (CDC). The OSDL can achieve stepwise optical delays, while the CDC is introduced to improve delay tuning resolution within one step delay of the OSDL. The combination of the two modules can realize tuning delays from 0 to 160 ps. Additionally, it is easy to increase the maximum delay by cascading more optical switches. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed OTDL shows outstanding performance and good expansibility.