Ultra Wideband Signals and Systems in Communication Engineering

Resonance conditions for a substrate-superstrate printed antenna geometry which allow for large antenna gain are presented. Asymptotic formulas for gain, beamwidth, and bandwidth are given, and the bandwidth limitation of the method is discussed. The method is extended to produce narrow patterns about the horizon, and directive patterns at two different angles.

Gain enhancement methods for printed circuit antennas

Recent advances in photonic integration have propelled microwave photonic technologies to new heights. The ability to interface hybrid material platforms to enhance light–matter interactions has led to the development of ultra-small and high-bandwidth electro-optic modulators, low-noise frequency synthesizers and chip signal processors with orders-of-magnitude enhanced spectral resolution. On the other hand, the maturity of high-volume semiconductor processing has finally enabled the complete integration of light sources, modulators and detectors in a single microwave photonic processor chip and has ushered the creation of a complex signal processor with multifunctionality and reconfigurability similar to electronic devices. Here, we review these recent advances and discuss the impact of these new frontiers for short- and long-term applications in communications and information processing. We also take a look at the future perspectives at the intersection of integrated microwave photonics and other fields including quantum and neuromorphic photonics. This Review discusses recent advances of microwave photonic technologies and their applications in communications and information processing, as well as their potential implementations in quantum and neuromorphic photonics.

Integrated microwave photonics

A new class of planar optics has emerged using subwavelength gratings with a large refractive index contrast, herein referred to as high-contrast gratings (HCGs). This seemingly simple structure lends itself to extraordinary properties, which can be designed top-down based on intuitive guidelines. The HCG is a single layer of high-index material that can be as thin as 15% of one wavelength. It can be designed to reflect or transmit nearly completely and with specific optical phase over a broad spectral range and/or various incident beam angles. We present a simple theory providing an intuitive phase selection rule to explain the extraordinary features. Our analytical results agree well not only with numerical simulations but also experimental data. The HCG has made easy fabrication of surface-normal optical devices possible, including vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs), tunable VCSELs, and tunable filters. HCGs can be designed to result in high-quality-factor (Q) resonators with surface-normal output, which is promising for wafer-scale lasers and optical sensors. Spatially chirped HCGs are shown to be excellent focusing reflectors and lenses with very high numerical apertures. This field has seen rapid advances in experimental demonstrations and theoretical results. We provide an overview of the underlying new physics and the latest results of devices.

/pdf/high-contrast-gratings-for-integrated-optoelectronics-3ykfc99oae.pdf

High-contrast gratings for integrated optoelectronics

A vertical-cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) was invented 30 years ago. A lot of unique features can be expected, such as low-power consumption, wafer-level testing, small packaging capability, and so on. The market of VCSELs has been growing up rapidly in recent years, and they are now key devices in local area networks using multimode optical fibers. Also, long wavelength VCSELs are currently attracting much interest for use in single-mode fiber metropolitan area and wide area network applications. In addition, a VCSEL-based disruptive technology enables various consumer applications such as a laser mouse and laser printers. In this paper, the recent advance of VCSEL photonics will be reviewed, which include the wavelength extension of single-mode VCSELs and their wavelength integration/control. Also, this paper explores the potential and challenges for new functions of VCSELs toward optical signal processing

https://cnst.nctu.edu.tw/mbe08/abstract/6-13.30-14.00-koyama.pdf

Recent Advances of VCSEL Photonics

We experimentally demonstrate a novel tunable true-time delay line with separate carrier tuning using dual-parallel Mach-Zehnder modulator and stimulated Brillouin scattering-induced slow light. The phase of the optical carrier can be continuously and precisely controlled by simply adjusting the dc bias of the dual-parallel Mach-Zehnder modulator. In addition, both the slow light and single-sideband modulation can be simultaneously achieved in the stimulated Brillouin scattering process with three types of configuration. Finally, the true-time delay technique is clearly verified by a two-tap incoherent microwave photonic filter as the free spectral range of the filter is changed.

True-time delay line with separate carrier tuning using dual-parallel MZM and stimulated Brillouin scattering-induced slow light

This Letter reports an optically controlled microwave phase shifter with an ultra-wideband working bandwidth and a full 360° phase shifting range based on nonlinear polarization rotation (NPR) in a highly nonlinear fiber (HNLF). A continuous wave probe light is modulated by a polarization modulator (PolM) that is driven by a microwave signal to be phase shifted. The optical carrier and the first-order sidebands of the probe light experience different phase shifts due to the NPR induced by the control light in the HNLF. An optical bandpass filter is used to realize single-sideband modulation of the probe light by removing one of the first-order sidebands, as well as to reject the control light. After detecting by a photodetector, the phase of the recovered microwave signal is continuously tunable by adjusting the power of the control light. The proposed approach is theoretically analyzed and experimentally verified. A full 360° tunable phase shift is realized over an ultra-wideband frequency range from 8 to 38 GHz when the power of the control light is tuned from 0 to 570 mW.

Optically controlled microwave phase shifter based on nonlinear polarization rotation in a highly nonlinear fiber.

We report a new approach to photonic generation of binary phase-coded microwave signals based on the asymmetric phase modulation indexes of a phase modulator in the TE and TM polarization states. The proposed system is extremely simplified compared with any other techniques reported in the previous literature since we only use one phase modulator. The microwave carrier frequency is widely tunable, and the π phase shift of the microwave signal is independent of the amplitude of the electrical driving signal. The proposed technique is theoretically analyzed and experimentally verified at carrier frequencies of 10 and 25 GHz, respectively.

Single Phase Modulator for Binary Phase-Coded Microwave Signals Generation

We summarized the design, fabrication challenges and important technologies for multi-wavelength laser transmitting photonic integration. Technologies discussed include multi-wavelength laser arrays, monolithic integration and modularizing coupling and packaging. Fabrication technique requirements have significantly declined with the rise of reconstruction-equivalent-chirp and second nanoimprint mask technologies. The monolithic integration problem between active and passive waveguides can be overcome with Butt-joint and InP array waveguide grating technologies. The dynamic characteristics of multi-factors will be simultaneously measured with multi-port analyzing modules. The performance of photonic integration chips is significantly improved with the autoecious factors compensation packaging technique.

/pdf/photonic-integrated-technology-for-multi-wavelength-laser-9olyjryhme.pdf

Photonic integrated technology for multi-wavelength laser emission

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a photonic-assisted approach to microwave frequency measurement based on frequency-to-time mapping using a Fourier domain mode-locked optoelectronic oscillator (FDML OEO) operating around oscillation threshold. A relationship between the frequency of the unknown input microwave signals and the time difference of the output pulses is established with the help of the frequency scanning capability of the FDML OEO and, thus, can be used for microwave frequency measurement. The proposed scheme is characterized as having broad bandwidth, high resolution, multiple-frequency detection capability, and tunable measurement range. Microwave frequency measurement with a measurement range up to 16 GHz and a low measurement error of 0.07 GHz is realized.

Ninghua Zhu

Papers

True-time delay line with separate carrier tuning using dual-parallel MZM and stimulated Brillouin scattering-induced slow light

Optically controlled microwave phase shifter based on nonlinear polarization rotation in a highly nonlinear fiber.

Single Phase Modulator for Binary Phase-Coded Microwave Signals Generation

Photonic integrated technology for multi-wavelength laser emission

Multiple-frequency measurement based on a Fourier domain mode-locked optoelectronic oscillator operating around oscillation threshold