Title :
A photonic-link millimeter-wave mixer using cascaded optical modulators and harmonic carrier generation
Author :
Sun, C.K. ; Orazi, R.J. ; Pappert, S.A. ; Burns, W.K.
Author_Institution :
NCCOSC RDT&E, San Diego, CA, USA
Abstract :
Efficient frequency conversion into and out of the millimeter wave frequency band has been demonstrated using photonic link signal mixing with cascaded optical modulators. By adjusting the modulator bias point and RF drive power to the modulator introducing the local oscillator signal at f/sub LO/=8.8 GHz, frequency conversions from f/sub s/ to f/sub LO//spl plusmn/f/sub s/, sf/sub LO//spl plusmn/f/sub s/, and 4f/sub LO//spl plusmn/f/sub s/ with respective losses of 4.8, 6.3, and 7.5 dB have been demonstrated. The direct phase noise measurement of the optical RF signal at 2f/sub LO/=17.6 GHz with 1 kHz offset shows -89 dBc/Hz, limited by the RF drive source.
Keywords :
electro-optical modulation; microwave oscillators; millimetre wave devices; multiwave mixing; optical communication equipment; optical frequency conversion; optical losses; phase noise; 4.8 dB; 6.3 dB; 7.5 dB; 8.8 GHz; RF drive power; RF drive source; cascaded optical modulators; direct phase noise measurement; harmonic carrier generation; local oscillator signal; millimeter wave frequency band; modulator bias point; optical RF signal; optical frequency conversion; photonic link signal mixing; photonic-link millimeter-wave mixer; Frequency conversion; Local oscillators; Mixers; Optical frequency conversion; Optical harmonic generation; Optical losses; Optical mixing; Optical modulation; RF signals; Radio frequency;
Journal_Title :
Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE