Patents by Inventor Weimin Zhou

Weimin Zhou has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8506829
    Abstract: A semiconductor hollow-core waveguide using high-contrast gratings or photonic crystal claddings and a method of manufacturing the same includes providing a layered semiconductor structure; creating an etching mask pattern over the layered semiconductor structure; performing a combined cycled directional etching process on the layered semiconductor structure in one sequence and in one lithography level to create a 3-dimensional waveguide structure; and creating a hollow air core in the layered semiconductor structure by removing to define a shape of the waveguide. The etching process comprises vertically etching a series of deep trenches on the layered semiconductor structure with precise control and varying the width of the trench. Furthermore, the hollow air core is created by removing a portion of the sacrificial material located in the center of the waveguide and under the waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Weimin Zhou
  • Publication number: 20130202305
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing RF-photonic filtering link. Specifically, one embodiment is an apparatus comprising a radio frequency (RF)-photonic filter for filtering an RF signal, where the RF-photonic filter comprises a loop comprising an electro-optical modulator, an optical fiber, a photo detector. Another embodiment is a method of operating an RF-photonic filter comprising applying a reference signal to the RF-photonic filter; selecting a reference frequency for the RF-photonic filter upon the RF-photonic filter locking to the reference frequency, disconnecting the reference signal; and applying an RF input signal to the RF-photonic filter to lock the RF input signal to the RF-photonic filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventor: Weimin Zhou
  • Patent number: 8228228
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for receiving electromagnetic waves using photonics includes a transmission unit transmitting electromagnetic waves in intervals; a time delay unit coupled to the transmission unit and controlling the transmission unit to transmit the electromagnetic waves in the intervals; an antenna receiving the electromagnetic waves reflected from the target; an interferoceiver coupled to the antenna and receiving the electromagnetic waves from the antenna, the interferoceiver comprising an optical recirculation loop to produce replica electromagnetic waves; and a computer identifying the target from the reflected electromagnetic waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Ming-Chiang Li, Weimin Zhou
  • Publication number: 20120027061
    Abstract: A wireless modem device, a wireless modem system, a wireless modem device sleep/wake-up method, and a terminal are provided. The wireless modem device includes: a universal serial bus (USB) port, connected to the terminal through a serial bus to obtain an action signal from the terminal; and a sleep/wake-up circuit unit, connected to the USB port and configured to send a notification signal to a central processing unit (CPU) of the wireless modem device according to the received action signal to enable the wireless modem device to sleep or wake up. The terminal includes a USB port and a modem drive unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: Huawei Device Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yonghong Wang, Zongyan Li, Weimin Zhou, Ming Zhang, Hongchao Guan
  • Publication number: 20110286504
    Abstract: A wireless modem device, a wireless modem system, a wireless modem device sleep/wake-up method, and a terminal are provided. The wireless modem device includes: a universal serial bus (USB) port, connected to the terminal through a serial bus to obtain an action signal from the terminal; and a sleep/wake-up circuit unit, connected to the USB port and configured to send a notification signal to a central processing unit (CPU) of the wireless modem device according to the received action signal to enable the wireless modem device to sleep or wake up. The terminal includes a USB port and a modem drive unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yonghong Wang, Zongyan Li, Weimin Zhou, Ming Zhang, Hongchao Guan
  • Publication number: 20110188801
    Abstract: A semiconductor hollow-core waveguide using high-contrast gratings or photonic crystal claddings and a method of manufacturing the same includes providing a layered semiconductor structure; creating an etching mask pattern over the layered semiconductor structure; performing a combined cycled directional etching process on the layered semiconductor structure in one sequence and in one lithography level to create a 3-dimensional waveguide structure; and creating a hollow air core in the layered semiconductor structure by removing to define a shape of the waveguide. The etching process comprises vertically etching a series of deep trenches on the layered semiconductor structure with precise control and varying the width of the trench. Furthermore, the hollow air core is created by removing a portion of the sacrificial material located in the center of the waveguide and under the waveguide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventor: Weimin Zhou
  • Publication number: 20100259440
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for receiving electromagnetic waves using photonics includes a transmission unit transmitting electromagnetic waves in intervals; a time delay unit coupled to the transmission unit and controlling the transmission unit to transmit the electromagnetic waves in the intervals; an antenna receiving the electromagnetic waves reflected from the target; an interferoceiver coupled to the antenna and receiving the electromagnetic waves from the antenna, the interferoceiver comprising an optical recirculation loop to produce replica electromagnetic waves; and a computer identifying the target from the reflected electromagnetic waves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventors: Ming-Chiang Li, Weimin Zhou
  • Patent number: 7609971
    Abstract: An multi-beam multifunction electro optical scanning antenna having a first variable wavelength tunable laser having an output wavelength variable within a first range and a second variable wavelength tunable laser having an output wavelength variable within a second range, different from the first range. The outputs from both lasers are modulated by independent microwave sources and the modulated outputs from both lasers are combined by an optical combiner into a combined output signal. An antenna array includes a plurality of radiators and a photodetector is associated with each radiator which converts the combined optical output from the lasers to microwave signals. Beam splitters divide the combined output signals to each of the antenna radiators while first and second wavelength-dependent time delay elements are optically connected in series between each sequential beam splitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Weimin Zhou
  • Publication number: 20090002236
    Abstract: An electro optical scanning phased array antenna having a laser which generates a pulsed output. A microwave source has an output which amplitude modulates the optical output from the laser through an optical modulator. An optical loop circuit has an input connected to an output from the optical modulator and a variable time delay element. The optical loop circuit generates a plurality of modulated optical pulses at equidistantly spaced time intervals from each other at an output from the loop circuit. These time intervals vary as a function of the variable time delay element and a control circuit controls the time delay attributable to the variable time delay element. An antenna array includes end elements while a circuit converts the optical output pulses from the optical loop circuit to radio frequency signals electrically connected to the elements of the antenna array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventor: Weimin Zhou
  • Patent number: 7454110
    Abstract: A method for constructing a reconfigurable photonic band gap device having a substrate and a crystal membrane with a lattice structure having its ends attached to a substrate so that a midportion of the lattice membrane is spaced upwardly from the substrate and forms a chamber therebetween. A bridge is disposed in the chamber between and separated from both the lattice membrane midportion and the substrate. At least one post is attached to the bridge and aligned with at least one hole in the lattice so that movement of the bridge relative to the lattice varies the degree of insertion of the post relative to its associated hole to vary the photonic band gap behavior of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Weimin Zhou
  • Patent number: 7409116
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) to optical converter for RF imaging, wherein the converter comprises an array of RF antenna pixels adapted to receive RF signals, wherein the RF antenna pixels are adapted to facilitate RF resonance of the received RF signals; a photonic band gap (PBG) layer connected to the array of RF antenna pixels, the PBG layer comprising at least two materials, arranged in a photonic crystal (PC), wherein at least one of the materials comprises an electro-optic (EO) material, wherein the EO material is adapted to use the RF resonant signals to produce changes in optical properties of the EO material, and wherein the PC is adapted to use changes in optical properties of the EO material to produce enhanced changes in optical properties of the PBG layer; and an RF ground plane connected to the PBG layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: David M. Mackie, Weimin Zhou
  • Patent number: 7158710
    Abstract: A reconfigurable photonic band gap device having a substrate and a crystal membrane with a lattice structure having its ends attached to a substrate so that a midportion of the lattice membrane is spaced upwardly from the substrate and forms a chamber therebetween. A bridge is disposed in the chamber between and separated from both the lattice membrane midportion and the substrate. At least one post is attached to the bridge and aligned with at least one hole in the lattice so that movement of the bridge relative to the lattice varies the degree of insertion of the post relative to its associated hole to vary the photonic band gap behavior of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Weimin Zhou
  • Patent number: 7151415
    Abstract: An injection locked dual opto-electronic oscillator having a master oscillator which generates a high Q RF output signal with a plurality of harmonic signals within a predetermined pass band. A slave oscillator has a modulation input coupled to the output signal from the master oscillator as well as an output signal. The slave oscillator has a cavity length selected to produce a single mode operation within the pass band. An electronic phase shifter in the slave oscillator is adjustable to produce constructive interference at a single harmonic of the output signal from the master oscillator and destructive interference of all other harmonics within the pass band and to bring the slave oscillator into injection locked condition with the master oscillator. Therefore the slave OEO is used as a filter for the spurious radiation generated by the master OEO and at the same time preserves the high Q of the RF carrier signal from the master OEO.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Weimin Zhou
  • Patent number: 6388616
    Abstract: A true time delay system for optical control of a phased array antenna includes a first time delay unit having a pair of parallel end walls having mirrored surfaces facing each other in a zigzag pattern, and an intermediate wall which is substantially parallel to the end walls and has mirrored surfaces on both sides which match the end walls. The intermediate wall also has matching openings in the mirrored surfaces to permit light to pass through the intermediate wall. A displacement unit displaces the intermediate wall relative to the end walls to change the distance that a series of input light beams travels, creating a true time delay between each two consecutive light beams in a first dimension. A second time delay unit receives the output of the first time delay unit, provides a time delay between each two consecutive light beams in a second dimension and outputs light beams having a sequence of time delay in both the first and second dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Weimin Zhou
  • Patent number: 6188808
    Abstract: An optical signal processor is implemented as a monolithically integrated semiconductor structure having optical waveguide devices forming beam splitters, optical amplifiers and optical phase shifters. The monolithic structure photonically controls a phased-array microwave antenna. Phase-locked master and slave lasers generate orthogonal light beams having a difference frequency that corresponds to the microwave carrier frequency of the phased-array antenna. The lasers feed the signal processor, which performs beam splitting, optical amplifying and phase shifting functions. A polarizer and an array of diode detectors convert optical output signals from the signal processor into microwave signals that feed the phased-array antenna. The optical waveguides of the signal processor are fabricated in a single selective epitaxial growth step on a semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Weimin Zhou, Paul H. Shen, Mitra Dutta, Jagadeesh Pamulapati
  • Patent number: 5953479
    Abstract: Opto-electronic integrated waveguide devices are provided using a tilted valence band quantum well semiconductor double heterostructure with one growth of the same waveguide material, that operate simply by their normal operating forward bias for active waveguides with optical gain and operating in a reverse or no bias for active waveguide without optical gain or passive waveguides. The optical waveguides comprise a substrate, a bottom cladding layer, a core layer having a quantum well optical waveguiding double heterostructure and a top cladding layer. The quantum well optical waveguiding double heterostructure includes an InGaPAs first barrier layer atop the bottom cladding layer, a quantum well layer constructed of InxGa1.sub.-x-y Al.sub.y As is stacked on top of the first barrier layer which is graded from one side to the other forming a linearly increasing quantum well energy bandgap and an In.sub..52 AlGaAs second barrier layer is stacked on top of said quantum well core layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Weimin Zhou, Paul W. Cooke
  • Patent number: 5930031
    Abstract: An optical signal processor is implemented as a monolithically integrated semiconductor structure having optical waveguide devices forming beam splitters, optical amplifiers and optical phase shifters. The monolithic structure photonically controls a phased-array microwave antenna. Phase-locked master and slave lasers generate orthogonal light beams having a difference frequency that corresponds to the microwave carrier frequency of the phased-array antenna. The lasers feed the signal processor, which performs beam splitting, optical amplifying and phase shifting functions. A polarizer and an array of diode detectors convert optical output signals from the signal processor into microwave signals that feed the phased-array antenna. The optical waveguides of the signal processor are fabricated in a single selective epitaxial growth step on a semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Weimin Zhou, Paul H. Shen, Mitra Dutta, Jagadeesh Pamulapati
  • Patent number: 5770472
    Abstract: An optical signal processor is implemented as a monolithically integrated semiconductor structure having optical waveguide devices forming beam splitters, optical amplifiers and optical phase shifters. The monolithic structure photonically controls a phased-array microwave antenna. Phase-locked master and slave lasers generate orthogonal light beams having a difference frequency that corresponds to the microwave carrier frequency of the phased-array antenna. The lasers feed the signal processor, which performs beam splitting, optical amplifying and phase shifting functions. A polarizer and an array of diode detectors convert optical output signals from the signal processor into microwave signals that feed the phased-array antenna. The optical waveguides of the signal processor are fabricated in a single selective epitaxial growth step on a semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Weimin Zhou, Paul H. Shen, Mitra Dutta, Jagadeesh Pamulapati
  • Patent number: 5535045
    Abstract: The dielectric constant and the optical properties of a semiconductor device are changed by tuning the electron density in modulation doped quantum wells. The quantum wells are formed in an "i" region of a p-i-n structure having, in sequence, a 150 .ANG. wide GaAs quantum well, a wider Al.sub.x Ga.sub.1-x As barrier with a central silicon doped section and an undoped AlGaAs barrier with a slightly higher barrier height to prevent transfer of carriers to the next well. When a reverse bias is applied, more D centers are tuned below the Fermi level so that they can trap electrons from the wells, thereby reducing electron density and changing the optical properties of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Mitra Dutta, Weimin Zhou
  • Patent number: 5412225
    Abstract: An opto-electronic semiconductor device including a variable strained layered quantum well structure having at least two superimposed heavy- and light-hole triangular bottom valance band quantum wells with mutually opposite slopes. Upon the application of a bias potential across a thickness dimension of the quantum wells, an electric field is generated therethrough which produces an interchange of the confined energy levels of heavy-holes and light-holes in the quantum wells which causes a change in the transmission characteristics of light passing through the device as a result of the heavy- and light-hole energy bands having different light absorption anisotropy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Mitra Dutta, Weimin Zhou, Hongen Shen, Jagadeesh Pamulapati