Abstract: A method for performing an operation on an input signal includes receiving, by a multi-mode waveguide, the input signal imposed on laser light. The received input signal imposed on the laser light is propagated through the waveguide a plurality of times in a plurality of modes, the modes interfering each time they propagate through the waveguide to generate an interference pattern of the plurality of modes. Portions of the interference pattern of the plurality of modes are nonlinearly activated each time those modes propagate through the multi-mode waveguide. Portions of the activated interference pattern of the plurality of modes are output to an optical detector array in parallel with one another each time those modes propagate through the multi-mode waveguide.

Abstract: A method for performing an operation on an input signal includes receiving, by a multi-mode waveguide, the input signal imposed on laser light. The received input signal imposed on the laser light is propagated through the waveguide a plurality of times in a plurality of modes, the modes interfering each time they propagate through the waveguide to generate an interference pattern of the plurality of modes. Portions of the interference pattern of the plurality of modes are nonlinearly activated each time those modes propagate through the multi-mode waveguide. Portions of the activated interference pattern of the plurality of modes are output to an optical detector array in parallel with one another each time those modes propagate through the multi-mode waveguide.

Abstract: Under one aspect, a method is provided for detecting events that are sparse in time. The method can include (a) receiving N analog input signals that are continuous and are independent from one another, wherein each one of the events causes a change in a corresponding one of the analog input signals, and N is 2 or greater. The method also can include (b) by a first analog circuit, for each of the N analog input signals, outputting products of that analog input signal and a plurality of gain factors. The method also can include (c) by a second analog circuit, outputting M sums of the products, wherein M is 2 or greater and is less than or equal to N. The method also can include (d) detecting a first one of the events based on the M sums of the products.

Abstract: Under one aspect, a method for performing an operation is provided. The method can include receiving, by different physical locations of a multi-mode waveguide, an input signal and a plurality of coefficients imposed on laser light. The method also can include generating, by the multi-mode waveguide, a speckle pattern based on the different physical locations, the input signal, and the plurality of coefficients. The method also can include adjusting at least one of the coefficients based on the speckle pattern.

Abstract: Under one aspect, a method for performing an operation is provided. The method can include receiving, by different physical locations of a multi-mode waveguide, an input signal and a plurality of coefficients imposed on laser light. The method also can include generating, by the multi-mode waveguide, a speckle pattern based on the different physical locations, the input signal, and the plurality of coefficients. The method also can include adjusting at least one of the coefficients based on the speckle pattern.

Abstract: Under one aspect, a method for performing a linear algebra operation includes imposing matrix elements onto a chirped optical carrier; inputting into a multi-mode optic the matrix elements imposed on the chirped optical carrier; outputting by the multi-mode optic a speckle pattern based on the matrix elements imposed on the optical carrier; and performing a linear algebra operation on the matrix elements based on the speckle pattern. The matrix elements can be from matrix A and a vector b, and the multi-mode optic can optically transform each of matrix A and vector b by a speckle transformation S, so as to output a speckle pattern including elements of a matrix SA of dimension p,n and matrix elements of a vector Sb of dimension p. The linear algebra operation can include generating {tilde over (x)}=(SA)†Sb, wherein † indicates a pseudo-inverse operation.

Abstract: Under one aspect, a method for performing a linear algebra operation includes imposing matrix elements onto a chirped optical carrier; inputting into a multi-mode optic the matrix elements imposed on the chirped optical carrier; outputting by the multi-mode optic a speckle pattern based on the matrix elements imposed on the optical carrier; and performing a linear algebra operation on the matrix elements based on the speckle pattern. The matrix elements can be from matrix A and a vector b, and the multi-mode optic can optically transform each of matrix A and vector b by a speckle transformation S, so as to output a speckle pattern including elements of a matrix SA of dimension p,n and matrix elements of a vector Sb of dimension p. The linear algebra operation can include generating {tilde over (x)}=(SA)†Sb, wherein † indicates a pseudo-inverse operation.

Abstract: Under one aspect, a method is provided for detecting events that are sparse in time. The method can include (a) receiving N analog input signals that are continuous and are independent from one another, wherein each one of the events causes a change in a corresponding one of the analog input signals, and N is 2 or greater. The method also can include (b) by a first analog circuit, for each of the N analog input signals, outputting products of that analog input signal and a plurality of gain factors. The method also can include (c) by a second analog circuit, outputting M sums of the products, wherein M is 2 or greater and is less than or equal to N. The method also can include (d) detecting a first one of the events based on the M sums of the products.

Abstract: A multi-mode optic can receive as input a radio-frequency (RF) signal imposed on an optical carrier, and can output a speckle pattern. A digital representation of the radio-frequency signal can be obtained based on the speckle pattern. An optical sensor can be irradiated with a first portion of the speckle pattern, the first portion of the speckle pattern including an optical intensity profile that is different than an optical intensity profile of a second, spatially separated, portion of the speckle pattern. The multi-mode optic can impose the optical intensity profile on the first portion of the speckle pattern as a function of wavelength of the optical carrier. The optical intensity profiles of portions of the speckle pattern can define a mixing matrix. The digital representation of the RF signal can be obtained based on an output of the optical sensor and the mixing matrix.

Abstract: An image detection assembly includes a light source that is configured to generate at least one pulsed light beam. A modulator is configured to direct the pulsed light beam onto a device via a plurality of light patterns such that a plurality of electrical signals are generated by the device. Each electrical signal corresponds to a different light pattern. A signal processing apparatus is coupled to the device and the signal processing apparatus is configured to receive the electrical signals and to digitize each electrical signal to record a plurality of signal vectors such that each signal vector corresponds to a different electrical signal. The signal processing apparatus is also configured to generate at least one image output based, at least in part, on the recorded signal vectors and the light patterns such that the image output enables a determination of at least one transient effect on the device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for converting wideband signals into the digital domain are provided herein. The system may include an electronic or guided-wave optic based replicator configured to obtain at least M replicas of a signal applied thereto, and an electronic or guided-wave optic based segmenter configured to segment a signal applied thereto into at least N segments based on time or wavelength. Together, the replicator and the segmenter obtain M×N segment replicas of the received signal. An electronic or guided-wave optic based mixer is configured to multiply the M×N segment replicas by a mixing matrix having dimension M×N and then to form M integrations each of N segment replicas so as to obtain a measurement vector of length M. A signal recovery processor is configured to obtain a digital representation of the received signal based on the measurement vector and the mixing matrix.

Abstract: Systems and methods for converting wideband signals into the digital domain are provided herein. The system may include an electronic or guided-wave optic based replicator configured to obtain at least M replicas of a signal applied thereto, and an electronic or guided-wave optic based segmenter configured to segment a signal applied thereto into at least N segments based on time or wavelength. Together, the replicator and the segmenter obtain M×N segment replicas of the received signal. An electronic or guided-wave optic based mixer is configured to multiply the M×N segment replicas by a mixing matrix having dimension M×N and then to form M integrations each of N segment replicas so as to obtain a measurement vector of length M. A signal recovery processor is configured to obtain a digital representation of the received signal based on the measurement vector and the mixing matrix.

Abstract: A method of performing analog to digital conversation of an analog signal Vin(t), the method including the steps of: utilizing both of the complementary arms of an electro-optic modulator to recover the analog input signal Vin(t), while using only one time-stretch element and one ?-demultiplexer after the electro-optic modulator. The single time-stretch element and one ?-demultiplexer serve to stretch and demultiplex the signals from both of the complementary output arms of the electro-optic modulator thereby improving and simplifying post-processing algorithms used to correct for static distortions and nonlinearities that originate from imperfect photonic hardware. Double-balanced photoreceivers are preferably coupled to outputs of the single ?-demultiplexer. The single time-stretch element is preferably implemented by a chirped fiber grating. Apparatus for carrying out the method is described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for converting wideband signals in the optical domain are provided. A device for obtaining a digital representation of a received signal may include a spatially dispersive element that may be configured to spatially disperse frequencies in an optical-domain representation of the received signal; a spatial light modulator that may be configured to mix the dispersed optical frequencies by imposing a mixing matrix on an optical intensity of the dispersed optical frequencies; an optical sensor that may be configured to obtain an electrical representation of the mixed dispersed optical frequencies; and a signal recovery processor that may be configured to obtain a digital representation of the received signal based on the electrical representation and the mixing matrix. The signal recovery processor may be further configured to determine a modulation format of the digital representation and may demodulate the digital representation based on the modulation format.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for simulating a mixed-signal system. The invention comprises a first operation of generating a matrix-based wavelet operator representation of equations characterizing a system, with the matrix-based wavelet operator representation including wavelet connection coefficients. A second operation is performed by selecting a number of wavelets and a set of wavelet basis functions with which to represent a performance of the system, whereby the wavelet operator, the number of wavelets and the set of wavelet basis functions represent a wavelet model of the system. A third operation is performed by iteratively applying the wavelet model over a series of clock cycles to develop a behavioral model of the system. The invention has particular use in the area of computer-aided design and may be applied to any suitable system, whether electrical, mechanical, or other.

Abstract: A satellite constellation has a plurality of network satellites that form a network. A gateway satellite is disposed adjacent to the network. The gateway satellites receive an optical signal from the network and converts the signal to an electrical signal. The gateway satellite has a sorter and a reshaping circuit for reshaping the electrical signal to form a reshaped signal. The electrical signal is converted back to an optical signal corresponding to the reshaped signal. The optical signal corresponding to the reshaped signal has reduced noise in comparison to the input optical signal. The optical signal is then retransmitted to another satellite.

Abstract: A satellite constellation has a plurality of satellites. Each of the satellites has an RF ground link for communicating with a ground station and an optical link for communication with at least one of the plurality of satellites. Each of the satellites has a reconfigurable optical transmitter for sending and receiving data streams. Each reconfigurable optical transmitter has a first optical carrier associated therewith and a reconfigurable optical receiver. The plurality of satellites is arranged to have a first subset of satellites. The first subset of satellites is configured to communicate. The plurality of satellites is reconfigured to have a second subset of satellites having at least one different satellites than that of said first subset. The second subset supercedes the first subset. The second subset of satellites is configured to communicate. Various subset around the globe may form local area networks. The local area networks are preferably optically coupled to form a wide area network.

Abstract: A node for satellite system communications between a ground station and a satellite includes a fiber optic bus on the satellite. An optical drop is coupled to the bus. The optical drop resolves an optical signal destined to the given satellite from the optical bus. An uplink and downlink receive and transmit communications from a ground terminal. A router is coupled to the optical drop and the uplink and downlink. An address reader and a table are used by the router to determine the destination of the received RF signals. The received RF signals are converted to optical signals by an optical source. The optical source has a wavelength that corresponds with the destination satellite. The optical signals are transmitted to an adjacent satellite by an optical transmitter such as a transmitting telescope.

Abstract: A satellite constellation has a plurality of network satellites that form a network. A gateway satellite is disposed adjacent to the network. The gateway satellites receive an optical signal from the network and converts the signal to an electrical signal. The gateway satellite has a sorter and a reshaping circuit for reshaping the electrical signal to form a reshaped signal. The electrical signal is converted back to an optical signal corresponding to the reshaped signal. The optical signal corresponding to the reshaped signal has reduced noise in comparison to the input optical signal. The optical signal is then retransmitted to another satellite.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for simulating a mixed-signal system. The invention comprises a first operation of generating a matrix-based wavelet operator representation of equations characterizing a system, with the matrix-based wavelet operator representation including wavelet connection coefficients. A second operation is performed by selecting a number of wavelets and a set of wavelet basis functions with which to represent a performance of the system, whereby the wavelet operator, the number of wavelets and the set of wavelet basis functions represent a wavelet model of the system. A third operation is performed by iteratively applying the wavelet model over a series of clock cycles to develop a behavioral model of the system. The invention has particular use in the area of computer-aided design and may be applied to any suitable system, whether electrical, mechanical, or other.