Microwave Photonic Technique for Frequency Measurement of Simultaneous Signals

A novel microwave photonic frequency measurement (MPFM) receiver is reported. The technique directly maps the frequency information of the incoming simultaneous signals to a distinct set of relative time delays utilizing a dispersive medium. The measurement of the observed time delay directly equates to the value of the input signal frequency. The operation of the MPFM receiver concept is successfully verified for two simultaneous signals at 20 and 40 GHz, demonstrating a potential capability for use in a spectrally cluttered environment.