Signal modulation facilitated by a single organic electrochemical transistor

Abstract

Signal modulation plays a critical role in data transmission across electronic devices and communication systems. However, a conventional signal modulator typically relies on power- and area-intensive filtering and amplification circuits. In this study, we demonstrate that single organic electrochemical transistor, with unique “V”-shaped transfer characteristics, can serve as versatile and low-power platforms for complex signal modulation. These nonlinear transfer characteristics enable multifunctional operations such as frequency doubling, phase inversion, and binary modulation (including binary phase-shift keying and binary frequency-shift keying) through simple gate bias adjustments in a single unit, eliminating the need for additional filtering or amplification circuits. Compared with traditional silicon-based modulator circuits, which often require complex arrangements with multiple transistors and passive components, our approach employs a single organic device, significantly reducing circuit size, fabrication complexity while maintaining high fidelity. This work paves the way for integrated, miniaturized signal processing and data transmission technologies in advanced bio-inspired and wearable applications.