Optical UWB Waveform Generation Using a Micro-Ring Resonator

Optical generation and transport of ultra-wideband (UWB) pulses extends the reach of these weak signals to several kilometers by exploiting passive optical networks. At the remote node, the UWB transmitter should be low cost and compact in size for indoor communications. We propose and experimentally demonstrate an integrated solution based on a racetrack micro-ring resonator in silicon-on-insulator technology. The resonator filters pulses generated by a gain-switched laser. Frequency-to-time mapping is obtained from fiber propagation. Balanced detection of the pulses ensures FCC-compliant UWB pulse generation.