Photonic Vector Demodulation Architecture for Remote Detection of M-QAM Signals

In this paper, a novel photonic vector demodulator (PVdM) architecture for remote detection of quadrature modulated electrical (QAM) signals at microwave/millimeter-wave (mm-wave) frequencies is proposed. In this scheme, two optical carriers are modulated for both an electrical tone and a QAM signal at microwave/mm-wave band. Using a dispersive medium as standard single mode optical fiber (SSMF) both in-phase and quadrature components of the QAM signal are simultaneously downconverted to baseband. In addition, the architecture provides easily remote detection capabilities. The demodulator scheme is suitable for antenna remote detection at high frequency bands since no intermediate electrical devices are necessary. Preliminary experimental results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed architecture at millimeter-wave frequencies.