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    • 专利摘要:
    A photonic radio frequency mixing and frequency conversion device comprising: electronic / optical converters (CEO1 - CEO12) for transferring radio frequency input signals to optical carriers; optical combiners (MUXO1 - MUXO3) for grouping in the same optical path (CTO1 - CTO3) several optical signals generated by the electronic / optical converters; electro-optical modulators (MEO1 - MEO3) for mixing the optical signals propagating in the same optical path with a respective radio frequency carrier; optical separators (DMXO1 - DMXO3) for separating the optical signals at the output of the modulators; optical combiners (CBO1 - CBO4; MUXOS1 - MUXOS4) for grouping optical signals from different optical paths; and optical / electronic converters (COE1 - COE4) associated with these optical combiners. Useful space telecommunication loads including such a photonic device.
    公开号:FR3043514A1
    申请号:FR1502343
    申请日:2015-11-06
    公开日:2017-05-12
    发明作者:Muriel Aveline；Benoit Benazet；Michel Sotom
    申请人:Thales SA；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    PHOTONIC DEVICE FOR BREWING AND FREQUENCY CONVERSION OF RADIO FREQUENCY SIGNALS AND SPATIOPORATED TELECOMMUNICATIONS PAYLOAD COMPRISING A
    The invention relates to a device for mixing and frequency conversion of radiofrequency signals, as well as a telecommunications payload, in particular spaceborne, comprising such a device.
    In the field of telecommunications it is sometimes necessary to combine radio frequency signals from different sources with each other, for example in order to retransmit them to the same addressee, or simply by means of the same antenna. It may happen that the spectra of these signals overlap, partly or totally; in this case, it is necessary to carry out frequency conversions to prevent these signals from interfering with each other. In addition, frequency conversions may be required, for example, to retransmit uplink signals over a downlink. Each frequency conversion operation requires the use of a separate radio frequency mixer, driven by a local oscillator. When the number of signals to be processed is large, this can lead to the realization of very complex and therefore expensive, heavy, bulky and power consuming frequency mixing and conversion devices (the last three parameters being particularly disadvantageous in space applications). .
    Figure 1 schematically illustrates the structure and operation of a mixing device and frequency conversion according to the prior art DEIC. The device has twelve inputs PE1 - PE12 (the number 12 is given by way of example only) for respective radio frequency signals RFin1 - RFin12, collectively designated by the reference RFin. These signals, assumed to all have the same frequency fs, or in any case at least partially overlapping spectra, are input to respective radio frequency mixers, MRF1 - MRF12, which also receive, on another input, radiofrequency signals generated by local oscillators OL1 - OL3, operating at different (radio) frequencies, fOL1, fOL2, fOL3. More precisely, the mixers MRF1, MRF2, MRF3 and MRF4 receive on a first input the signals RFin1, RFin2, RFin3, RFin4, respectively, and on a second input the same signal generated by the local oscillator OL1; the mixers MRF5, MRF6, MRF7 and MRF8 receive on a first input the signals RFin5, RFin6, RFin7, RFin8, respectively, and on a second input the same signal generated by the local oscillator OL2; and the mixers MRF9, MRF10, MRF11 and MRF12 receive on a first input the RFin9, RFin10, RFin1, RFin12 signals, respectively, and on a second input the same signal generated by the local oscillator OL3. In a manner known per se, the signals at the output of the mixers MRF1 - MRF4 have a component at a frequency fs + fOL1 and another component at a frequency fs-fOL1; likewise, the signals at the output of the MRF5 - MRF8 mixers have components at the frequencies fs ± fOL2 and those at the output of the mixers MRF9 - MRF12 at the frequencies fs ± fOL3.
    Four multiplexers MUX1, MUX2 MUX3 are then provided to combine three signals from each of the three groups of mixers: (MRF1 - MRF4), (MRF5 - MRF8), (MRF9 - MRF12). These multiplexers are also equipped with filters making it possible to reject the spectral components at the difference frequency (fs-fOLi, i = 1, 2 or 3) and retain only those at the sum frequency (fs + fOLi, i = 1.2 or 3), or vice versa.
    On the output ports P01, P02, P03, P04 of the multiplexers (and of the device DEIC) there are four "composite" radio frequency signals RFout1, RFout2, RFout3, RFout4, each constituted by the juxtaposition of three "elementary" signals obtained by frequency shift of three respective input signals. Thus, the output signal RFout1 groups together (with frequency shift) the signals RFin1, RFin5 and RFin9; the RFout2 output signal includes RFin2, RFin6, RFin10; the RFout3 output signal includes RFin3, RFin7, RFin11; and the RFout4 output signal includes RFin4, RFin8, RFin12. The reference signs 1 to 12 make it possible to associate the input signals with the corresponding output composite signals.
    The main drawback of the DEIC device is that, to process N radio frequency signals, it requires N mixers, which can quickly lead to an unacceptable complexity. The invention aims to remedy this drawback.
    According to the invention, this object is achieved by photonic signal processing. Specifically, in a device according to the invention, the radio frequency signals at the input are transferred to optical carriers at different wavelengths. Then, the signals that must undergo the same frequency shift can be grouped and modulated together, by the same optical mixer, while retaining their individuality through the wavelength diversity of their optical carriers. Then, the separation and recombination operations are performed by optical means, and a transfer in the radio frequency domain is performed at the output of the device.
    Photonic devices for processing radio frequency signals have already been proposed. However, these devices known from the prior art do not make it possible to implement the functionalities of the DEIC device of FIG. 1 and / or to reduce its complexity.
    For example: The article by T. Kuri et al. "Dense Wavelength-Division Multiplexing Millimeter-Wave-Band Radio-on-Fiber Signal Transmission with Photonic Downconversion," Journal of Lightwave Technology, Vol. 21, No. 6, June 2003, describes an "optical fiber radio" system in which multiple radio signals are transferred to optical carriers at different wavelengths, carried by respective optical fibers to a multiplexer. , then multiplexed in the same optical fiber and transported to a remote central station where they are frequency converted by a single electro-optical mixer, before being demultiplexed. In this article there is no question of a device for mixing and recombination of signals involving the use of different frequency conversions, but a simple connection over an extended geographical area. Thus, there is no question of rearranging in the spatial and frequency domains, multiple individual input signals into composite output signals, as in the case of DEIC and the invention. The article by P-T Shih et al "WDM up-conversion employing frequency quadrupling in optical modulator", Optics Express, Vol. 17, No. 3, February 2, 2009, also discloses a "fiber optic radio" system in which a plurality of wavelength multiplexed signals share a single electro-optical mixer. The article of Μ. E. Manka "Microwave Photonics for Electronic Warfare Applications" describes airborne electronic warfare systems in which radiofrequency signals from different antennas are transferred to optical carriers at different wavelengths, transported by optical fiber up to a multiplexer, multiplexed, converted into frequency by means of a single electro-optical mixer, before being demultiplexed for subsequent processing individually. Again, there is no question of rearranging individual input signals and grouping them into composite output signals, as in the case of DEIC and the invention.
    US 5,661,582 discloses a radiofrequency signal interconnection photonic device for use in a spaceborne telecommunications payload. The device does not provide, at its outputs, composite signals obtained by frequency conversion and grouping of the signals present at its inputs. Thus, it performs functions quite different from those of the device DEIC and the invention.
    The document FR 2 864 385 describes a photonic device for spatio-frequency mixing of radiofrequency signals, intended to be used in a spaceborne telecommunications payload. The device uses electro-optical mixers to perform frequency conversions, and an optical interconnection network. Unlike the case of the DEIC device of Figure 1, each optical mixer is used to mix a single input radio frequency signal with several local oscillator signals simultaneously. Thus, the device described by this document does not meet the same need and performs a different treatment of the DEIC device.
    Thus, none of these documents makes it possible to implement the functionalities of the DEIC device of FIG. 1 with less complexity.
    An object of the invention, to solve this problem, is a photonic device for mixing and frequency conversion of radiofrequency signals comprising: • a plurality of inputs for respective radio frequency signals; A plurality of electronic / optical converters, each said converter being associated with an said input and being configured to generate an optical signal by transferring a said radio frequency signal onto an optical carrier at a respective wavelength; At least one first set of optical combiners, each optical combiner of said first set being configured to group in a same optical path a plurality of said optical signals; A plurality of electro-optical modulators associated with respective optical paths, each said electro-optical modulator being configured to mix all the optical signals propagating in the corresponding optical path with a respective radiofrequency carrier; A plurality of optical separators configured to separate the optical signals, mixed by said electrooptic modulators with their respective radiofrequency carrier, propagating in each of said optical paths; A second set of optical combiners, each optical combiner of said second set being configured to group a plurality of optical signals from different optical paths; and a plurality of optical / electronic converters, each said converter being associated with an optical combiner of said second set and being configured to convert the composite optical signal from the respective optical combiner into an output radio frequency signal; said electronic-optical converters and optical combiners of said second set being configured in such a way that all the optical signals propagating along the same optical path, and all the optical signals grouped together by the same optical combiner of the second set, have optical carriers of length different wave.
    According to particular embodiments of such a device: Each said electronic / optical converter may be configured to generate an optical signal by transferring a said radio frequency signal onto an optical carrier at a different wavelength than the others. converters.
    The device may also include a plurality of local oscillators operating at different radio frequencies and configured to drive respective optical mixers.
    At least some of said electronic / optical converters may be connected by respective optical switches to respective inputs of a plurality of optical combiners of said first set, and at least some outputs of at least some optical separators are connected by respective optical switches to inputs. respective optical combiners of said second set. More particularly, all of said electronic / optical converters may be connected by respective optical switches to respective inputs of all optical combiners of said first set, and all outputs of all optical separators may be connected by respective optical switches to inputs. respective optical combiners of said second set.
    Said plurality of optical separators and said second set of optical combiners can be realized by means of an NxN optical multiplexer.
    The said electronic - optical converters may include semiconductor lasers configured to be modulated directly by the radio frequency signals present at the respective inputs of the device.
    Alternatively, said electronic-optical converters may include semiconductor lasers with integrated electro-optical modulator.
    Another object of the invention is a spaceborne telecommunications payload comprising such a photonic device for mixing and frequency conversion of radiofrequency signals.
    According to particular embodiments:
    Such a payload may comprise a plurality of reception channels for radio frequency signals having radiofrequency carriers, said reception channels being connected to respective inputs of said photonic patching and frequency conversion device of radiofrequency signals; and a plurality of transmit channels for radio frequency signals having different frequency carriers, said transmit channels being connected to respective optical / electronic converters of said photonic patching and frequency conversion device of radio frequency signals.
    Such a payload may comprise a digital radio frequency signal processor having outputs for radio frequency signals having carriers of the same frequency, said outputs being connected to respective inputs of said photonic patching and frequency conversion device of radiofrequency signals; and a plurality of transmit channels for radio frequency signals having different frequency carriers, said transmit channels being connected to respective optical / electronic converters of said photonic patching and frequency conversion device of radio frequency signals.
    Such payload may comprise an active antenna capable of operating in reception, having outputs for radio frequency signals in the same band, said outputs being connected to respective inputs of said photonic patching and frequency conversion device of radiofrequency signals; and a baseband processor having inputs coupled to respective optical / electronic converters of said photonic patching and frequency conversion device of radio frequency signals.
    The term "radiofrequency" refers to frequencies between about 1 MHz and 100 GHz - including microwave frequencies (1 GHz and above).
    The term "photonics" refers to techniques and devices for the generation, transmission, manipulation and detection of "light", that is, electromagnetic radiation of wavelengths between about 200 nm and about 3 pm. Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the description given with reference to the accompanying drawings given by way of example and which represent, respectively: FIG. 1, already described, the block diagram of a Frequency frequency stirring and frequency conversion device known from the prior art, employing only electronic means; FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a photonic patching and frequency conversion device for radiofrequency signals according to a first embodiment of the invention; FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a photonic patching and frequency conversion device for radiofrequency signals according to a second embodiment of the invention; FIG. 4, the block diagram of a spaceborne telecommunications payload according to a third embodiment of the invention; FIG. 5, the block diagram of a spaceborne telecommunications payload according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; FIG. 6a, the block diagram of a spaceborne telecommunications payload according to a fifth embodiment of the invention and FIG. 6b the block diagram of a spaceborne telecommunications payload according to the prior art, using only electronic means.
    FIG. 2 illustrates the structure and operation of a photonic mixing and frequency conversion device DPIC according to a first embodiment of the invention.
    As in the case of the DEIC device, the case of a device receiving radiofrequency signals having the same central frequency fs at its inputs is considered; however, this is not essential.
    The radiofrequency signals RFin1 - Rfin12 present at the inputs PE1 - PE12 of the device are transferred to respective optical carriers at wavelengths λι - λ - ι2 by electric - optical converters CE01 - CE012. This means that optical carriers at wavelengths λι - λ · ι2 are modulated, for example in amplitude, each by a respective radio frequency signal; in other words, the envelope of each optical signal corresponds to one of the input radio frequency signals. Typically, the wavelengths λι - λι2 can be in the near infrared (1200-1600 nm). The electrical-optical converters are generally semiconductor lasers, and the modulation of the optical signals can be obtained directly, that is to say by modulating the supply current of these lasers. It is also possible to use semiconductor lasers with an integrated electro-optical modulator).
    The electrical-optical converters are connected to a set of optical multiplexers (also called "WDM devices", where the acronym WDM stands for "Wavelength Division Multiplexing"). respective optical fibers. More precisely, electrical - optical converters (CE01 - CE04) forming a first group are connected to a first multiplexer MUX01; electric - optical converters (CE05 - CE08) forming a second group are connected to a second multiplexer MUX02; and electrical - optical converters (CE09 - CE012) forming a third group are connected to a third multiplexer MUX03. Each of these multiplexers has a single output, connected to an optical fiber. Thus, the optical signals at the wavelengths λι, λ2, λβ and λ4 propagate along the optical fiber CT01 connected to the output of the multiplexer MUX01, the optical signals at the wavelengths λ5, λβ, λγ and λβ are propagate along the optical fiber CT02 connected to the output of the multiplexer MUX02, the optical signals at the wavelengths Xg, λ-ιο, λ-n and λΐ2 propagate along the optical fiber CT03 connected to the output of the multiplexer MUX03. The signals propagating along the same optical fiber maintain their individuality thanks to the fact that they have different wavelengths.
    Each optical fiber CT01, CT02, CT03 brings the optical signals from a multiplexer to an optical input of a respective electro-optical mixer, ME01, ME02, ME03, each also receiving, on another RF input, a radiofrequency signal generated by a respective local oscillator OL1, OL2, OL3. In general, the signals generated by these local oscillators have different frequencies. Before the mixer, each optical signal has an envelope corresponding to a RFin signal of central frequency fs; after the mixer, the envelope has components at central frequencies fs ± n * fOLi, with fOLi = fOL1, fOL2, fOL3 - frequency of the local oscillator associated with the mixer considered, the parameter "n" taking integer values. Depending on the type of mixer, the setting of its operating point and the output filtering of the device, one of these components will be preferred.
    In a preferred configuration, the mixers are biased to a minimum of optical transmission, which has the effect of modulating the optical carriers to twice the frequency of the local oscillator fOLi, and therefore to favor the components fs ± 2 * fOLi. An optical or RF filtering according to the case then makes it possible to select the desired component, for example fs + 2 * fOLi, and to reject that which is not desired in fs - 2 * fOLi (or vice versa).
    Therefore, a frequency conversion (and more precisely a translation or frequency shift) of all the signals is carried out. Unlike the case of the DEIC electronic device, however, the conversion is performed using only three mixers, one per local oscillator. Thanks to wavelength division multiplexing, all the signals grouped together to undergo the same frequency shift can share the same mixer.
    The optical fibers (always designated by the references CT01, CT02, CT03) at the output of the mixers drive the modulated optical signals to respective optical demultiplexers DMX01, DMX02, DMX03 which separate the signals of different wavelength. Thus, at the output of this set of demultiplexers are found 12 independent optical signals which differ from those generated by the electrical-optical input converters CEOI - CE012 only by the fact that their envelopes have undergone frequency shifts (because each mixer generates frequency shifted components upwards - fs + n * fOLi - and components shifted downwards - fs- n * fOLi).
    Then, these signals are grouped in such a way that each group contains only optical signals coming from different mixers, and thus having undergone different frequency offsets. In the example of the figure there are four groups of three signals each, each group containing exactly one signal from the mixer ME01, a signal from the mixer ME02 and a signal from the mixer ME03. In this example, moreover, the grouping is obtained thanks to a set of optical combiners CB01, CB02, CB03.
    The terms "combiner" and "separator" are generally used to refer to any device adapted to combine / separate optical signals; multiplexers and demultiplexers are therefore considered as special cases of combiners and separators, respectively.
    The recombination of the signals can therefore be done in different ways, using in particular and non-exclusively the following devices: • fiber couplers obtained by fusion / drawing; these components are much simpler than the multiplexers, but they have higher losses and do not provide a filtering function; • wavelength multiplexers that optimize loss performance and filtering; Detectors with multiple optical inputs which comprise an element making it possible to concentrate several beams in the optical domain and to illuminate a single photodiode, e such components are for example described in the article by N. Mothe and P. Di Bin, Multichannel Microwave Photonics Sign Summation Device, "IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, Vol. 23, NO. 3, February 1, 2011; • Progressive RF wave detector arrays, as described in the article by M. Chtioui et al., "Optical Summation of RF Signals," IEEE Transactions On Microwave Theory And Techniques, Vol. 55, NO. 2, February 2007, and which rely on the distribution of multiple photodiodes along a high impedance RF transmission line and the progressive construction of a single RF output signal.
    It should be noted that the DMXOI - DMX03 demultiplexers could be replaced by simple optical fiber separators (again, the gain in simplicity is obtained at the cost of higher losses and the renunciation of a filtering function). It is however preferable that each optical signal passes through at least one multiplexer or demultiplexer, to ensure spectral purity; otherwise, optical filters will have to be provided at a level in the device between the mixers and the optical - electrical conversion.
    It will also be noted that the function of separating and recombining the signals respectively by demultiplexers and multiplexers can, under certain conditions, advantageously be carried out by one and the same integrated and passive device known as the NxN multiplexer or wavelength router. as described in C. Dragone's articles, "An Optical Multiplexer Using a Planar Arrangement of Two Star Couplers," IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, Vol. 3, NO. 9, September 1991, and H. Takahashi et al., "Transmission Characteristics of Arrayed Waveguide NxN Wavelength Multiplexer," Journal of Lightwave Technology, Vol. 13, NO. 3, March 1995. In FIG. 2, the reference MNN designates the subset of demultiplexers DMX01, DMX02, DMX03 and combiners CB01, CB02, CB03 and CB04, which could be replaced by an NxN multiplexer device (with N = 4, of which only three of its four inputs would be used), under certain wavelength allocation conditions. More particularly it is possible to use, for optical carriers, N wavelengths which are repeated with a circular permutation. In the case of Figure 2 can be used a 4x4 multiplexer device with a wavelength allocation of this type! ; λδ = λ4; λβ = λι; λ7 = λ2; λδ = λ3; Xq = X ^; λιο = λ4; λι- | = λΐ; λΐ2 = λ2 ·
    Finally, it will be noted that it is possible to associate several of these means to perform the recombination function. For example, to recombine nxm optical signals (n, m integers) it is possible to use 'm' fiber couplers with 'n' inputs and an output, whose 'm' outputs are coupled to respective inputs of a detector with multiple optical inputs.
    The "composite" optical signals obtained at the output of the combiners are converted in the radio frequency domain by means of optical-electrical converters COE1, COE2, COE3 (typically photodiodes). As in the case of the DEIC device, on the output ports of the photonic device DPIC, there are four "composite" radiofrequency signals RFout1, RFout2, RFout3, RFout4, each consisting of the superposition of three "elementary" signals. More precisely, the output signal RFout1 groups together (with frequency offset) the signals RFin1, RFin5 and RFin9; the RFout2 output signal includes RFin2, RFin6, RFin10; the output signal RFout3 includes RFin3, RFin7, RFin1 1; and the RFout4 output signal includes RFin4, RFin8, RFin12. Unlike the case of DEIC, however, these composite signals contain both up-shifted components and down-shifted components. The filtering (which in DEIC was performed by the output multiplexers) is performed downstream of the DPIC output ports.
    FIG. 3 illustrates the structure and operation of a photonic mixing and frequency conversion device DPIC 'according to a second embodiment of the invention. The device DPIC 'differs from that of FIG. 2 essentially in that each electrical-optical converter is connected to all the multiplexers MUX01 - MUX02 by an optical switch with an input and three outputs (the reference XOE generally designates these 12 switches, the reference XOE1 more specifically denotes the switch connected to the first electrical - optical converter, the other switches are not designated by their own references so as not to overload the figure); and that each output of each optical demultiplexer is connected to an input of each of the optical output combiners (here made by MUXOS1, MUXOS2, MUXOS3, MUXOS4 multiplexers) by respective optical switches at one input and four outputs (general reference XOS, only the XOS1 switch is identified by a proper reference sign). The use of the two XOE, XOS optical switch sets allows for independent and highly flexible signal routing: any combination of three frequency-shifted input signals can be found on each of the output ports. In the example of FIG. 3, for example, the signals 1 and 7 have exchanged their positions with respect to the fixed configuration of FIG. 2.
    The fact that, in the device of FIG. 3, the operation of grouping the optical signals is carried out by multiplexers rather than simpler type combiners is unrelated to the use of the XOE, XOS optical switches.
    It is also possible to make a device with more limited routing capabilities, in which case only some of the XOE, XOS switches might be present and / or they could have fewer outputs than there are downstream combiners.
    FIG. 4 illustrates a spaceborne satellite telecommunications payload using a DPIC device described above with reference to FIG. 2 (it would also have been possible to use the DPIC device of FIG. 3). This is a multi-beam payload implementing a return link. In this application, 12 user beams FU, possibly being at the same frequency but separated spatially, are picked up by respective antennas AR1 - AR12 operating in reception; the signals thus acquired are amplified and filtered (each antenna with a low-noise amplifier and a filter forms a reception channel, only the first and the last channel are identified by reference signs - CR1 and CR12 - so as not to overload the figure). Then these signals are input to the DPIC device. At the output ports of this device four composite signals are recovered, each grouping three input signals shifted in frequency. These signals are input to respective transmission channels (FPBS1 - FPBS4 bandpass filters, RFAP power amplifiers, AE1 -AE4 transmit antennas) which transmit them to respective GW1 -GW4 ground-based gateways. In this application the frequency shift has a dual function: on the one hand it allows the grouping of signals, on the other hand it is necessary because different spectral bands are assigned to uplinks and downlinks.
    FIG. 5 illustrates another spaceborne satellite telecommunications payload using a DPIC device described above with reference to FIG. 2 (again, it would have been quite possible to use the DPIC device of FIG. 3). This application is similar to that of Figure 4, except that the input signals do not come from acquisition channels but are generated at an intermediate frequency by a PSN digital signal processor.
    FIG. 6a illustrates yet another spaceborne satellite telecommunications payload using a DPIC device described above with reference to FIG. 2 (again, it would have been quite possible to use the DPIC device of FIG. 3) . The application considered in this embodiment relates to an active antenna AA, operating in reception, and having 96 output ports. From each of these ports a signal is extracted with a bandwidth of 50 MHz and a center frequency between 1 and 2 GHz. These signals must be converted to baseband to be processed by a PBB baseband digital processor. A 96-input processor would be extremely complex and expensive to produce; moreover, such a processor generally has a band wider than 50 MHz (for example 200 MHz). It is therefore advantageous to group the signals three by three after the assets transferred in the band 0 - 200 MHz. These frequency conversion and regrouping operations are performed by a DPIC device similar to that of FIG. 2, but using three electro-optical mixers each operating on 32 optical signals. The reference CBOS designates all the optical combiners. By way of comparison, FIG. 6b illustrates a DEIC device performing the same functionality purely electronically. It uses 96 radio frequency mixers. We therefore see the technical and economic advantage provided by the invention.
    In all the examples (except the last) we considered the case of 12 input signals, 3 local oscillators and 4 composite output signals, each comprising 3 elementary signals. One can easily understand that this is a non-limiting example, and that the invention applies to any number of input and output signals, and local oscillators. In addition, it is not necessary that all output composite signals comprise the same number of elementary signals.
    Moreover, particularly if it is not necessary to have flexibility in the routing of the signals, it is not essential that all the optical carriers have different wavelengths: it is only necessary that the optical signals grouped by the combiners of the first and the second set have carriers at different wavelengths. In the diagram of Figure 2 this can be achieved, inter alia, with only four different wavelengths, performing a circular permutation on each group of four input signals. For example, a wavelength λι may be assigned to RFin1, RFin6, RFin1 1 signals; another wavelength λ2 to the signals RFin2, RFin7, RFin1 2; a third wavelength λ3 signals RFin3, RFin8, RFin9; and a fourth wavelength λ4 to the signals RFin4, RFin5, RFin1 0. The invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, but variants are possible, in particular as regards the technologies implemented by the different components.
    ME01-ME03 electro-optical mixers may for example be Mach-Zehnder type intensity modulators and be made of lithium niobate, or on semiconductor substrates such as indium phosphide (InP), arsenide of galium (AsGa) or silicon. Other achievements are possible. It is not even necessary that the mixers are based on an electro-optical effect (Pockels effect): alternatively one could for example use electroabsorption modulators, or ring modulators by injection of carriers. Phase modulators and polarization modulators could also be used provided that optical elements, respectively optical filters and polarizers, which convert the phase and polarization modulations into intensity modulation, are output. All these types of mixers can be qualified as "electro-optical", whatever their operating principle, because they make it possible to mix an optical signal and a signal of an electrical nature.
    As in FR 2 864 385, it is also possible to use electro-optical mixers to mix each optical signal with several local oscillator signals at different frequencies. In particular, dual-drive (dual-drive) mixers can be used to mix the optical signals with at least two different local oscillator signals.
    The possibility of using simpler combiners / separators than multiplexers / demultiplexers has already been discussed. It will be noted that the recombination of the optical signals at the output of the device can be obtained in an even simpler way, by directly coupling several optical fibers to each optical-electrical converter.
    The XOE, XOS optical switches can be of different types: electro-mechanical, micro-opto-electromechanical (MOEMS), electro-optical, acousto-optical, thermo-optical, liquid crystal, etc.
    Only embodiments using optical fibers for the transmission of optical signals have been considered. However, some of these fibers - indeed, at least in principle all of them - can be replaced by planar waveguides in the context of a partially or fully integrated embodiment. It is even possible to exploit free propagation paths. In fact, any means for defining optical paths between the various components of the device may be suitable for the implementation of the invention.
    Finally, a device according to the invention lends itself to applications other than those envisaged above, with reference to FIGS. 4 - 6a. In particular, the use of the device is not limited to space applications.
    权利要求:
    Claims (12)
    [1" id="c-fr-0001]
    A photonic frequency mixing and conversion device for radio frequency signals comprising: a plurality of inputs (PE1 - PE12) for respective radio frequency signals (RFin; RFin1 - RFin12); A plurality of electronic / optical converters (CEOI-CE012), each said converter being associated with a said input and being configured to generate an optical signal by transferring a said radio frequency signal onto an optical carrier at a wavelength (λι - λ-ι2) respectively; At least one first set of optical combiners (MUX01-MUX03), each optical combiner of said first set being configured to group in a same optical path (CT01-CT03) a plurality of said optical signals; A plurality of electro-optical modulators (ME01 -ME03) associated with respective optical paths, each said electro-optical modulator being configured to mix all the optical signals propagating in the corresponding optical path with a respective radiofrequency carrier; A plurality of optical separators (DMX01 - DMX03) configured to separate the optical signals, mixed by said electro-optical modulators with their respective radiofrequency carrier, propagating in each of said optical paths; A second set of optical combiners (CB01 -CB04; MUXOS1-MUXOS4), each optical combiner of said second set being configured to group a plurality of optical signals from different optical paths; and a plurality of optical / electronic converters (COE1 - COE4), each said converter being associated with an optical combiner of said second set and being configured to convert the composite optical signal from the respective optical combiner into an output radio frequency signal (RFout RFoutl - RFout4); said electronic-optical converters and optical combiners of said second set being configured in such a way that all the optical signals propagating along the same optical path, and all the optical signals grouped together by the same optical combiner of the second set, have optical carriers of length different wave.
    [2" id="c-fr-0002]
    2. Device according to claim 1 wherein each said electronic / optical converter is configured to generate an optical signal by transferring a said radio frequency signal on an optical carrier at a said wavelength different from that of other converters.
    [3" id="c-fr-0003]
    3. Device according to one of the preceding claims also comprising a plurality of local oscillators (OL1 - OL3) operating at different radio frequencies and configured to drive respective optical mixers.
    [4" id="c-fr-0004]
    4. Device according to one of the preceding claims wherein at least some of said electronic / optical converters are connected by respective optical switches (XOE; XOE1 ...) to respective inputs of several optical combiners of said first set, and at least certain outputs of at least some optical separators are connected by respective optical switches (XOS; XOS1 ...) to respective inputs of a plurality of optical combiners of said second set.
    [5" id="c-fr-0005]
    5. Device according to claim 4 wherein all said electronic / optical converters are connected by respective optical switches to respective inputs of all the optical combiners of said first set, and all the outputs of all the optical separators are connected by optical switches. respective inputs of all optical combiners of said second set.
    [6" id="c-fr-0006]
    6. Device according to one of the preceding claims wherein said plurality of optical separators and said second set of optical combiners are made by means of an optical multiplexer NxN.
    [7" id="c-fr-0007]
    7. Device according to one of the preceding claims wherein said electronic-optical converters comprise semiconductor lasers configured to be modulated directly by the radiofrequency signals present at the respective inputs of the device.
    [8" id="c-fr-0008]
    8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said electronic-optical converters comprise semiconductor lasers with integrated electro-optical modulator.
    [9" id="c-fr-0009]
    Spaceborne telecommunications payload comprising a photonic device (DPIC, DPIC ') for mixing and frequency conversion of radiofrequency signals according to one of the preceding claims.
    [10" id="c-fr-0010]
    The payload of claim 9 comprising: a plurality of receive channels (CR1 - CR12) for radio frequency signals having radio frequency carriers, said receive channels being connected to respective inputs of said patch photonic device (DPIC) and frequency conversion of radiofrequency signals; and a plurality of transmission channels (FPBS1 - FPBS4; RFAP; AE1 - AE4) for radio frequency signals having different frequency carriers, said transmission channels being connected to respective optical / electronic converters of said photonic brewing device and frequency conversion of radiofrequency signals.
    [11" id="c-fr-0011]
    A payload according to claim 9 comprising: a digital radio frequency signal processor (PSN) having outputs for radio frequency signals having carriers of the same frequency, said outputs being connected to respective inputs of said photonic device (DPIC) of mixing and frequency conversion of radiofrequency signals; and a plurality of transmit channels (FPBS; RFAP; AE1 -AE4) for radiofrequency signals having carriers of different frequencies, said transmit channels being coupled to respective optical / electronic converters of said photonic brewing apparatus and frequency conversion of radiofrequency signals.
    [12" id="c-fr-0012]
    A payload according to claim 9 comprising: an active antenna (AA) operable in reception, having outputs for radio frequency signals in the same band, said outputs being connected to respective inputs of said photonic device (DPIC) of mixing and frequency conversion of radiofrequency signals; and a baseband processor (PBB) having inputs coupled to respective optical / electronic converters of said photonic patching and frequency conversion device of radio frequency signals.
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    US20170134835A1|2017-05-11|
    US9942632B2|2018-04-10|
    ES2693195T3|2018-12-10|
    FR3043514B1|2018-10-19|
    EP3166233A1|2017-05-10|
    EP3166233B1|2018-08-01|
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    EP0871343A2|1997-04-09|1998-10-14|TRW Inc.|Splitterless optical broadcast switch|
    FR2864385A1|2003-12-19|2005-06-24|Cit Alcatel|SPEECH SPATIO-FREQUENTIAL BREWING DEVICE FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS REPEATER OF SATELLITE, REPEATER AND SATELLITE|EP3534536A1|2018-03-01|2019-09-04|Thales|Photonic device and method for dual band frequency conversion|US5661582A|1995-10-26|1997-08-26|Trw Inc.|Photonic interconnect and photonic processing for communications and data handling satellites|
    US6452546B1|2000-06-14|2002-09-17|Hrl Laboratories, Llc|Wavelength division multiplexing methods and apparatus for constructing photonic beamforming networks|
    US20020012495A1|2000-06-29|2002-01-31|Hiroyuki Sasai|Optical transmission system for radio access and high frequency optical transmitter|
    US8971712B2|2012-03-05|2015-03-03|Georgia Tech Research Corporation|Carrier embedded optical radio-signal modulation of heterodyne optical carrier suppression|FR3067535A1|2017-06-09|2018-12-14|Airbus Defence And Space Sas|TELECOMMUNICATION SATELLITE, BEAM FORMING METHOD, AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A SATELLITE LOAD|
    FR3073347B1|2017-11-08|2021-03-19|Airbus Defence & Space Sas|SATELLITE PAYLOAD INCLUDING A DOUBLE REFLECTIVE SURFACE REFLECTOR|
    CN110190889A|2018-11-06|2019-08-30|中国人民解放军63686部队|A kind of implementation method of the earth station system based on Microwave photonics|
    法律状态:
    2016-10-28| PLFP| Fee payment|Year of fee payment: 2 |
    2017-05-12| PLSC| Search report ready|Effective date: 20170512 |
    2017-10-26| PLFP| Fee payment|Year of fee payment: 3 |
    2018-10-26| PLFP| Fee payment|Year of fee payment: 4 |
    2020-10-16| ST| Notification of lapse|Effective date: 20200910 |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    FR1502343|2015-11-06|
    FR1502343A|FR3043514B1|2015-11-06|2015-11-06|PHOTONIC FREQUENCY CONVERSION AND FREQUENCY CONVERSION OF RADIO FREQUENCY SIGNALS AND SPATIOPORTED TELECOMMUNICATIONS PAYLOAD INCLUDING SUCH A DEVICE|FR1502343A| FR3043514B1|2015-11-06|2015-11-06|PHOTONIC FREQUENCY CONVERSION AND FREQUENCY CONVERSION OF RADIO FREQUENCY SIGNALS AND SPATIOPORTED TELECOMMUNICATIONS PAYLOAD INCLUDING SUCH A DEVICE|
    EP16195997.8A| EP3166233B1|2015-11-06|2016-10-27|Photonic device for cross-connection and frequency conversion of radio frequency signals and spaceborne telecommunications payload comprising such a device|
    ES16195997.8T| ES2693195T3|2015-11-06|2016-10-27|Photonic device for mixing and converting frequencies of radiofrequency signals and telecommunications payload on board a spacecraft comprising such a device|
    US15/338,249| US9942632B2|2015-11-06|2016-10-28|Photonic radiofrequency signal cross-connect and frequency conversion device and space-borne telecommunications payload comprising such a device|
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