Performance of Subsampled Analog Optical Links

Author

Pile, Brian C. ; Taylor, Geoff W.

Author_Institution

Electr. & Comput. Eng. Dept., Univ. of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA

Volume

30

Issue

9

fYear

2012

fDate

5/1/2012 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

1299

Lastpage

1305

Abstract

We analyze the operation and performance of subsampled analog optical links. These links downconvert microwave signals by optically sampling at a rate much lower than the RF carrier frequency. Expressions for conversion gain, noise figure, and spurious-free dynamic range are derived for intensity modulation and direct detection. The impact of pulse width on link performance is revealed and quantified. Also, in order to characterize noise in a subsampled link, the influence of timing jitter in the periodic optical source is considered. Timing jitter and pulse width are found to be two important factors which limit the noise figure and dynamic range in subsampled links.

Keywords

intensity modulation; microwave photonics; optical frequency conversion; optical links; optical modulation; timing jitter; RF carrier frequency; conversion gain; direct detection; intensity modulation; link performance; microwave signals; noise figure; optical frequency conversion; optical sampling; periodic optical source; pulse width; spurious-free dynamic range; subsampled analog optical links; timing jitter; Noise; Optical distortion; Optical fiber communication; Optical fibers; Optical filters; Optical modulation; Dynamic range; frequency conversion; microwave photonics; noise figure; optical sampling;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Lightwave Technology, Journal of

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0733-8724

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/JLT.2012.2185216

Filename

6135481