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Chinese Physics B

Optimization strategies for operational parameters of Rydberg atom-based amplitude modulation receiver

Yuhao 宇豪 Wu 吴, Dongping 冬萍 Xiao 肖, Huaiqing Zhang, Sheng Yan

Published Oct 18, 2024• 8 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Abstract The Rydberg atom-based receiver, as a novel type of antenna, demonstrates broad application prospects in the field of microwave communications. However, since Rydberg atomic receivers are nonlinear systems, mismatches between the parameters of the received amplitude modulation (AM) signals and the system’s linear workspace and demodulation operating points can cause severe distortion in the demodulated signals. To address this, the article proposes a method for determining the operational parameters based on the mean square error (MSE) and total harmonic distortion (THD) assessments and presents strategies for optimizing the system’s operational parameters focusing on linear response characteristics (LRC) and linear dynamic range (LDR). Specifically, we employ a method that minimizes the MSE to define the system’s linear workspace, thereby ensuring the system has a good LRC while maximizing the LDR. To ensure that the signal always operates within the linear workspace, an appropriate carrier amplitude is set as the demodulation operating point. By calculating the THD at different operating points, the LRC performance within different regions of the linear workspace is evaluated, and corresponding optimization strategies based on the range of signal strengths are proposed. Moreover, to more accurately restore the baseband signal, we establish a mapping relationship between the carrier Rabi frequency and the transmitted power of the probe light, and optimize the slope of the linear demodulation function to reduce the MSE to less than 0.8 × 10 −4 . Finally, based on these methods for determining the operational parameters, we explore the effects of different laser Rabi frequencies on the system performance, and provide optimization recommendations. This research provides robust support for the design of high-performance Rydberg atom-based AM receivers.

DOI
10.1088/1674-1056/ad886a

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Abstract The Rydberg atom-based receiver, as a novel type of antenna, demonstrates broad application prospects in the field of microwave communications. However, since Rydberg atomic receivers are nonlinear systems, mismatches between the parameters of the received amplitude modulation (AM) signals and the system’s linear workspace and demodulation operating points can cause severe distortion in the demodulated signals. To address this, the article proposes a method for determining the operational parameters based on the mean square error (MSE) and total harmonic distortion (THD) assessments and presents strategies for optimizing the system’s operational parameters focusing on linear response characteristics (LRC) and linear dynamic range (LDR). Specifically, we employ a method that minimizes the MSE to define the system’s linear workspace, thereby ensuring the system has a good LRC while maximizing the LDR. To ensure that the signal always operates within the linear workspace, an appropriate carrier amplitude is set as the demodulation operating point. By calculating the THD at different operating points, the LRC performance within different regions of the linear workspace is evaluated, and corresponding optimization strategies based on the range of signal strengths are proposed. Moreover, to more accurately restore the baseband signal, we establish a mapping relationship between the carrier Rabi frequency and the transmitted power of the probe light, and optimize the slope of the linear demodulation function to reduce the MSE to less than 0.8 × 10 −4 . Finally, based on these methods for determining the operational parameters, we explore the effects of different laser Rabi frequencies on the system performance, and provide optimization recommendations. This research provides robust support for the design of high-performance Rydberg atom-based AM receivers.
The Rydberg atom cell nonlinear distortion in the demodulation amplitude modulation (AM) microwave is analyzed in this paper. We use the total harmonic distortion (THD) to quantitatively describe this nonlinear distortion. Simulation suggests that THD can be efficiently depressed by adjusting the coupling laser Rabi frequency and the AM microwave Rabi frequency static operation point. Numerical analysis shows that the THD can reach the minimum 0.14%, when the coupling laser Rabi frequency is 2×107（rad/s）, the AM microwave Rabi frequency static operation point is 2.5×104(rad/s) and the baseband microwave Rabi frequency is 2×103(rad/s).
With the advancement of quantum physics and deeper exploration of atomic systems, the integration of atoms into communication systems has garnered significant attention. Among these efforts, the use of Rydberg atoms as a communication receiver has emerged as a prominent area of research. In this work, we introduce a new mathematical modeling approach to more accurately establish the input-output relationship of a Rydberg atomic receiver. We categorize this relationship into three segments: one linear region and two nonlinear regions, facilitating a comprehensive analysis of the nonlinear challenges associated with Rydberg atomic receiver. Our findings indicate that adjusting the Rabi oscillation frequency of the coupling laser can effectively extend the linear operating range of the receiver. Furthermore, focusing on complex quadrature amplitude modulation, we propose a digital nonlinear distortion compensation method specifically designed for Rydberg atomic receiver. This method demonstrates a significant improvement in performance, enhancing the demodulation bit error rate compared to conventional linearization techniques.
In recent years, electric field measurement techniques based on Rydberg atoms have shown unique advantages in high sensitivity and wideband applications and miniaturization. The Rydberg atom receiver senses the electromagnetic signal using the quantum coherence effect, which overcomes the inherent defects of traditional electronic receivers in terms of thermal noise, insertion loss of microwave devices, and the use of wavelength-dependent antennas, thus providing the Rydberg atomic receivers the potential to become the next generation of microwave receivers. For some particular application scenarios such as radar and communication, superheterodyne reception is a critical technical approach, and the linear dynamic range is an essential factor in evaluating the performance of the superheterodyne receivers. It is challenging to promote the Rydberg atomic receiver without figuring out the influence of system parameters on the linear dynamic range. This paper starts with the response mechanism of the Rydberg atomic superheterodyne receiver, and a theoretical model is established to simulate the atom-microwave responses. Then the harmonics' generation mechanism is discussed, and the atomic linear dynamic range under different probe light Rabi frequencies is studied further. Furthermore, a method to evaluate the antiblocking performance of the system is proposed. This work is expected to provide theoretical guidance for the design and performance optimization of the Rydberg atomic superheterodyne receiver.
Abstract Rydberg-atom-based superheterodyne receivers integrate self-calibration, high sensitivity, a wide operational frequency range, and phase/frequency resolved detection capabilities, demonstrating broad application prospects as next-generation microwave receivers. Linear gain and linear dynamic range (LDR) are critical metrics for assessing receiver sensitivity and demodulation fidelity, respectively. We numerically solve the four-level master equation and then employ particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm to co-optimize linear gain and LDR in atomic superheterodyne receivers based on balanced homodyne detection. Further, we systematically account for dominant dephasing mechanisms in the simulation, encompassing spontaneous decay, transit dephasing, collision dephasing, laser linewidth dephasing, and Doppler averaging. Homodyne readout utilizes both the real and imaginary parts of polarizability for sensing. In the case of the photon shot noise limit, its signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) expression resembles that of direct optical-intensity readout. However, the inherent coherent subtraction operation in homodyne detection significantly suppresses common-mode noise, while appropriately increasing the reference beam power enhances the gain in practical experiments. Indeed, this co-optimization problem, characterized by a high-dimensional variable space, two objectives, and non-convexity, is well-suited for solution by PSO. In addition, probe and coupling detuning contribute equivalently to polarizability and compensate for each other owing to Doppler averaging, thereby reducing the optimization variable space by one. By adopting a product form of linear gain and LDR as the fitness function, the PSO achieves rapid convergence. Here, the effectiveness of the PSO results is verified via the total harmonic distortion (THD). The relative error-based LDR calculation method we proposed efficiently measures receiver response linearity with consuming fewer computational resources. This research is expected to offer valuable insights into enhancing the performance of Rydberg-atom-based superheterodyne receivers.
Rydberg atoms possess a large electric dipole moment and exhibit high sensitivity to electromagnetic signals. Receivers based on Rydberg atoms represent a novel reception mechanism, demonstrating broad application prospects in the field of communication. Current research has not addressed the influence of the operating parameters of Rydberg atomic receiver on channel capacity. This study establishes a channel capacity model for Rydberg atomic receiver based on Shannon's formula and the response mechanism of the electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) effect. Using this model, the influences of atomic number density, laser beam waist, and coupling laser Rabi frequency on the channel capacity of Rydberg atomic receiver are analyzed. A strategy for optimizing channel capacity by adjusting the coupling laser Rabi frequency is proposed, and an analytical solution for the Rabi frequency that maximizes channel capacity is derived. The accuracy of this analytical solution is then verified through numerical simulations. The channel capacity corresponding to the analytical solution in this study is similar to the optimal channel capacity obtained using the one-dimensional optimization method (Newton’s method) and is superior to the results obtained by the quadratic interpolation method, demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed analytical solution in optimizing the channel capacity of Rydberg atomic receiver. This research provides theoretical guidance for designing high-performance Rydberg atomic receiver and optimizing channel capacity.
Rydberg sensors offer a unique approach to radio-frequency (rf) detection, leveraging the high sensitivity and quantum properties of highly excited atomic states to achieve performance levels beyond classical technologies. Nonlinear responses and distortion behavior in Rydberg atom receivers are critical to evaluating and establishing performance metrics and capabilities such as spur-free dynamic range and tolerance to unwanted interfering signals. We report here on the measurement and characterization of nonlinear behavior and spurious response of a Rydberg atomic heterodyne receiver. Single-tone and two-tone testing procedures are developed and implemented for measurement of harmonic and intermodulation distortion in Rydberg atomic receivers based on multiphoton Rydberg spectroscopy and radio-frequency heterodyne signal detection and demodulation in an atomic vapor. For a predetermined set of atomic receiver parameters and rf carrier wave in the super high frequency band near-resonant to a cesium Rydberg transition, we measure and characterize atomic receiver selectivity, bandwidth, roll-off, compression point (P1dB), second-order (IP2) and third-order (IP3) intercepts, and spur-free dynamic range. Receiver intermodulation distortion is characterized for the case of an interfering signal wave applied at two frequency offsets relative to the near-resonant reference local oscillator, Δ F / F = 10 − 4 at 6 dB and 10 − 6 at 22 dB single-tone bandwidths, respectively. We observe that under suitable operating conditions the atomic receiver can exhibit a suppression of harmonic and intermodulation distortion relative to that of classical receiver mixer amplifiers.