A novel approach for microwave signal generation utilizing DFB-laser wavelength chirp

Optical generation of RF and mm-wave signals is an appealing solution. There are several different optical methods to generate microwave carriers including the development of new devices. In this paper we propose a new approach, which utilizes the wavelength chirp of the semiconductor DFB lasers. With a simple two-arm combiner scheme this property of directly modulated lasers, which is usually a limiting factor at telecommunication solutions, can be used to generate sweep and pulse mode RF carriers.