Flexible tunable spectrum sliced microwave photonic filter using parallel Fabry-Pérot filters and fiber delay

A simple, low-cost spectrum sliced microwave photonic filter with high tunability has been implemented. This is based on use of two Fabry-Perot filters with same free spectral range connected in parallel but one filter with an external fiber delay. This architecture overcomes the tuning difficulties of a single Fabry-Perot filter employed as a slicing element. Flexible tunability, large overall free spectral range and high quality factor have been obtained with the proposed configuration owing to the use of fiber delay. Simulation results show wide and flexible tuning of the filter in the frequency range of 40 to 50 GHz. The additional components are another Fabry-Perot filter and an adjustable fiber delay to the conventional spectrum slicing technique which makes the proposed architecture highly cost-effective.