20240088556.Electronic Device with Fully-Connected Photonic Antenna Array simplified abstract (apple inc.)

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Electronic Device with Fully-Connected Photonic Antenna Array

Organization Name

apple inc.

Inventor(s)

Bertram R Gunzelmann of Koenigsbrunn (DE)

Zdravko Boos of Munich (DE)

Ramin Khayatzadeh of Munich (DE)

Nedim Muharemovic of Nuremberg (DE)

Electronic Device with Fully-Connected Photonic Antenna Array - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 20240088556 titled 'Electronic Device with Fully-Connected Photonic Antenna Array

Simplified Explanation

An electronic device described in the patent application includes a fully-connected photonic phased antenna array with antennas, photodiodes, optical modulators, optical phase shifters, and optical paths. The device is capable of transmitting wireless data streams within different signal beams using phase shifts and superposed currents on antenna resonating elements.

  • The electronic device features a fully-connected photonic phased antenna array.
  • Each antenna in the array has an antenna resonating element coupled to a set of photodiodes.
  • Optical modulators receive wireless data streams and generate modulated signals.
  • Different optical paths provide the modulated signals to different photodiodes in each antenna.
  • Sets of optical phase shifters apply different phase shifts for each modulated signal.
  • Optical paths deliver the phase-shifted signals to the photodiodes in the antennas.
  • The photodiodes produce currents superposed on the antenna resonating elements.
  • Each antenna can concurrently convey all wireless data streams.
  • The phase shifts configure the array to transmit signals containing the wireless data streams within different signal beams.

Potential Applications

The technology described in the patent application could be applied in:

  • Wireless communication systems
  • Satellite communication
  • Radar systems

Problems Solved

This technology helps in:

  • Increasing data transmission efficiency
  • Enhancing signal beamforming capabilities
  • Improving wireless communication reliability

Benefits

The benefits of this technology include:

  • Higher data transmission speeds
  • Enhanced signal quality
  • Increased network capacity

Potential Commercial Applications

The potential commercial applications of this technology could be in:

  • Telecommunications industry
  • Aerospace and defense sector
  • IoT devices market

Possible Prior Art

One possible prior art related to this technology is the use of phased array antennas in radar systems for beamforming applications.

Unanswered Questions

How does this technology impact power consumption in electronic devices?

This technology may impact power consumption by optimizing signal transmission and reception processes, potentially leading to more efficient energy usage.

What are the potential regulatory challenges associated with implementing this technology in wireless communication systems?

Regulatory challenges may include spectrum allocation, interference management, and compliance with standards for signal transmission technologies.


Original Abstract Submitted

an electronic device may include a fully-connected photonic phased antenna array having a set of antennas, each with an antenna resonating element coupled to a set of photodiodes. optical modulators may receive different wireless data streams and may generate modulated signals. optical paths may provide the modulated signals generated by each modulator to a different photodiode in each antenna. sets of optical phase shifters may apply different sets of phase shifts for each of the modulated signals. optical paths may provide the phase shifted signals to the photodiodes in the antennas. the photodiodes may produce currents that are superposed on the antenna resonating elements. each antenna may be used to concurrently convey all of the wireless data streams. the phase shifts may configure the array to transmit signals that include the wireless data streams within different respective signal beams.