Simultaneous up-conversion of multiple wavelengths to 18GHz and 36GHz using 4-f technique and optical filtering

The optical generation and delivery of microwave and millimeter wave signals is of great interest in a number of areas. To lower the cost of such systems it would be advantageous to remove any duplication of high frequency components. In this paper we demonstrate a technique that allows optical carriers that are modulated with an IF radio signal to be simultaneously up-converted to either 18 GHz or 36 GHz. A single electro-optic modulator specified for 10Gbit/s operation is used to up-convert multiple wavelengths, with the dominant frequency of reception determined by thermally tuning of the source laser.