A two-channel optical downconverter for phase detection

Author

Biernacki, Paul D. ; Nichols, Lee T. ; Enders, D.G. ; Williams, Keith J. ; Esman, Ronald D.

Author_Institution

Naval Res. Lab., Washington, DC, USA

Volume

46

Issue

11

fYear

1998

fDate

11/1/1998 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

1784

Lastpage

1787

Abstract

Experimental results for a two-channel optical downconverter link operating from 2 to 18 GHz are presented. Using low-noise preamplifiers results in a noise figure (NF) of 8.5-14 dB over the frequency range of 2-18 GHz. For the first time, relative phase measurements between optically downconverted signals have been performed. An in-phase/quadrature phase-measurement technique indicates a phase precision of ±2° with as little as -60 dBm radio frequency (RF) received power. Comparing the optical microwave downconverter to an electrical microwave downconverter in terms of phase detection reveals similar performance between the two systems

Keywords

demodulation; electro-optical modulation; heterodyne detection; microwave links; microwave photonics; optical communication equipment; optical fibre networks; optical frequency conversion; phase detectors; phase measurement; preamplifiers; 2 to 18 GHz; 8.5 to 14 dB; demodulation; fiber optic link; in-phase/quadrature phase-measurement technique; low-noise preamplifiers; optical microwave down-converter; phase detection; photonics; relative phase measurements; remoting; two-channel optical down-converter; Erbium-doped fiber amplifier; Noise cancellation; Optical interferometry; Optical modulation; Optical noise; Optical sensors; Phase detection; Phase shift keying; Preamplifiers; Radio frequency;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Microwave Theory and Techniques, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9480

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/22.734580

Filename

734580