Patent attributes
A method of performing optical serial-to-parallel conversion of an optical signal includes performing phase modulation of the optical pulse stream and outputting a phase-modulated optical signal as a result thereof. The method also includes performing optical switching of the phase-modulated optical signal by optical switches connected to each other in a series relationship on a signal path. The method further includes performing optical switching of a reference optical clock signal by optical switches connected to each other in a series relationship on a reference path. The method also includes performing, by I/Q demodulators, I/Q demodulation of the optically switched phase-modulated optical signal respectively output by one of the optical switches on the signal path at timings corresponding to the optically switched reference optical clock signal respectively output by one of the optical switches on the reference path, in which the I/Q demodulators respectively output I and Q demodulated signals as a result thereof. The method further includes performing, by pairs of gated photodetectors respectively connected to the I/Q demodulators, photodetection of the I and Q demodulated signals respectively output of the I/Q demodulators.
