Precision calibration of an optically sampled analog-to-digital converter

The general configuration of the proposed high-speed ADC was described. A train of optical pulses samples the analog signal applied to the optical modulator. A dual-output Mach-Zehnder electro-optic modulator is used to implement phase-encoded optical sampling. Output circuits detect and integrate the modulated optical pulses. The integrated level is held until electronic digitizer converts the signal into digital form. The circuit then resets and waits for the next input pulse. The output circuits include amplifiers before the digitizers.