D-Band mm-Wave SSB Vector Signal Generation Based on Cascaded Intensity Modulators

Abstract

We proposed and experimentally demonstrated a novel and simple method to realize D-band millimeter-wave (mm-wave) single-sideband (SSB) vector signal generation using cascaded one single-drive Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM) and one push-pull MZM. After the first MZM driven by a radio frequency (RF) signal of 20-GHz, an optical frequency comb (OFC) with six flat carriers was successfully generated. Using the subsequent push-pull MZM driven by 10-GHz SSB vector signals and a photodiode (PD) for detection, we finally generated D-band SSB vector mm-wave signals at frequencies of 130-GHz and 150-GHz, respectively. The experimental results are well consistent with theoretical and simulation analysis. Based on the proposed scheme, 4-Gbaud generated D-band quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) and 16 quadrature amplitude modulation (16QAM) mm-wave signals were transmitted over 10-km/25-km single-mode-fiber (SMF) and 1-m wireless links. The bit-error-rate (BER) performance can reach less than 7% hard-decision forward-error-correction (FEC) threshold of 3.8 × 10 −3 .

Research progress of optical millimeter wave generation technology in RoF system

“…When setting ∆φ=(2k+1)π/2, φ=±π/2, MZM can output SSB modulation signal, the signal can be expressed as : (11) SSB modulation filters out an optical sideband carrying the same information, which improves the frequency band utilization compared with DSB modulation and avoids the problem of periodic fading of signal power. However, the SSB modulation signal is affected by the symbol time shift effect during transmission due to the different transmission speeds of the optical carrier and the modulation sideband in the fiber, resulting in limited transmission distance [55] .…”

Photonic aided vector millimeter-wave signal generation without digital-to-analog converter

“…Finally, the combined optical signal is sent into the PD, according to square detection law of the PD, and the vector mm-wave signal is generated after the PD. In the traditional vector mm-wave signal generation system, the DAC is indispensable [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31] . However, the DAC is expensive, has large power consumption, and also has limited bandwidth.…”

“…[21] is complex and costly. Instead, the external modulator is employed to realize vector mm-wave signal generation with the aid of photonic frequency multiplication and pre-coding techniques or without precoding [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39] , and the system is simple and cost effective. It has the advantages of high stability, high purity, and significantly less bandwidth requirement for transmitters.…”

“…However, in Refs. [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39], it cannot generate high-speed vector mm-wave signals due to the limitation of the digital-to-analog converter (DAC) bandwidth. Moreover, the system cannot be integrated by using photonic technology.…”

Application and analysis of integrated sensing and communication technology based on millimeter wave

“…Besides, the mm-wave communication has high transmission rate and low atmospheric and rainfall attenuation, which can be used for deep space communication and emergency communication. [1][2][3] Due to the wide deployment of mm-wave and large-scale multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology, communication signals in future wireless systems often have high resolution in both the time domain and the angular domain, so that communication signals can be used to achieve high-precision perception. Therefore, the mm-wave communication technology and the sensing system can be combined to improve the overall system spectrum efficiency, reduce the cost, and realize the cooperative work of the two systems from the design of the frequency band and hardware that can be shared.…”