OPTICAL DIGITAL-TO-ANALOG CONVERTER

Organization Name

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.

Inventor(s)

Ming Yang Jung of Kaohsiung City (TW)

Chewn-Pu Jou of Hsinchu (TW)

Lan-Chou Cho of Hsinchu City (TW)

Stefan Rusu of Sunnyvale CA (US)

Cheng-Tse Tang of Hsinchu County (TW)

Tai-Chun Huang of New Taipei City (TW)

You-Cheng Lu of Tainan City (TW)

OPTICAL DIGITAL-TO-ANALOG CONVERTER - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18302972 titled 'OPTICAL DIGITAL-TO-ANALOG CONVERTER

The present disclosure discusses an optical digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that utilizes waveguide paths and phase shifter segments to generate phase shifts between optical signals based on digital inputs.

The optical DAC includes a first waveguide path for a first optical signal and a second waveguide path for a second optical signal.
Phase shifter segments interface with the waveguide paths to generate phase shifts between the optical signals in response to digital inputs.
The first phase shifter segment generates a first phase shift based on a first digital input, while the second phase shifter segment generates a second phase shift based on a second digital input.
The digital inputs correspond to different bits of a digital signal, allowing for precise control over the phase shifts between the optical signals.

Potential Applications: - Optical communication systems - Signal processing applications - High-speed data transmission technologies

Problems Solved: - Precise control over phase shifts in optical signals - Efficient conversion of digital signals to analog optical signals

Benefits: - Improved signal processing accuracy - Enhanced data transmission speeds - Reduced signal distortion

Commercial Applications: Title: High-Speed Optical Communication Systems This technology can be utilized in telecommunications, data centers, and other industries requiring high-speed and accurate data transmission capabilities.

Questions about the technology: 1. How does the optical DAC improve signal processing accuracy? - The optical DAC allows for precise control over phase shifts between optical signals, resulting in more accurate data processing. 2. What are the potential commercial uses of this technology? - The technology can be applied in telecommunications, data centers, and other industries requiring high-speed data transmission capabilities.

Original Abstract Submitted

The present disclosure relates to an optical digital-to-analog converter (DAC). The optical DAC includes a first waveguide path configured to receive a first optical signal and a second waveguide path configured to receive a second optical signal. A first phase shifter segment interfaces with the first and second waveguide paths. The first phase shifter segment is configured to selectively generate a first phase shift between the first optical signal and the second optical signal in response to a first digital input. A second phase shifter segment interfaces with the first and second waveguide paths. The second phase shifter segment is configured to selectively generate a second phase shift between the first optical signal and the second optical signal in response to a second digital input. The first digital input and the second digital input correspond to different bits of a digital signal.