Improvements to Optical Communication Receivers

Optical signal demodulation is crucial in optical communications because it functions as a bridge connecting optical transmission and electronic processing. It drives the successful translation of optical signals into a format that can be understood and utilized by electronic devices. However, the need for a simple, yet effective demodulator that can handle multiple modulation formats is being increasingly felt in this domain. Because most commercial demodulators available today limit themselves to a single modulation format,  their adaptability and utility in diverse optical communication environments are restricted. Moreover, many demodulators that require high power and face restrictions with respect to size and weight are limited in their applicability to scenarios requiring compactness and power efficiency.

Technology Description

The invention is a sophisticated optical signal demodulator. It takes M input optical signals, such as wideband M-ary orthogonal, and by utilizing an optical processor transforms them into 2 log2(M) intermediary optical signals. The ingenious comparison module in the invention then determines the logical representation of the initial input data on the basis of the optical power of these intermediary signals. The demodulator exhibits compatibility with a range of modulation formats including M-FSK, M-PPM, M-PolSK, and hybrid M-ary orthogonal. What sets this invention apart is its capability to function in both free-space and fiber-optic environments, ideally suited for applications requiring smaller hardware dimensions and minimal power requirements. Furthermore, embodiment examples of this technology offer both reduced electronic bandwidth requirements and enhanced receiver sensitivity. The demodulator's inherent compatibility with different modulation formats and its scalability make it ideal for diverse optical communication applications.