Optical frequency comb based multi-band microwave frequency conversion for satellite applications

Abstract

Based on optical frequency combs (OFC), we propose an efficient and flexible multi-band frequency conversion scheme for satellite repeater applications. The underlying principle is to mix dual coherent OFCs with one of which carrying the input signal. By optically channelizing the mixed OFCs, the converted signal in different bands can be obtained in different channels. Alternatively, the scheme can be configured to generate multi-band local oscillators (LO) for widely distribution. Moreover, the scheme realizes simultaneous inter- and intra-band frequency conversion just in a single structure and needs only three frequency-fixed microwave sources. We carry out a proof of concept experiment in which multiple LOs with 2 GHz, 10 GHz, 18 GHz, and 26 GHz are generated. A C-band signal of 6.1 GHz input to the proposed scheme is successfully converted to 4.1 GHz (C band), 3.9 GHz (C band) and 11.9 GHz (X band), etc. Compared with the back-to-back (B2B) case measured at 0 dBm input power, the proposed scheme shows a 9.3% error vector magnitude (EVM) degradation at each output channel. Furthermore, all channels satisfy the EVM limit in a very wide input power range.

Multi-band local microwave signal generation based on an optical frequency comb generator

“…Utilizing a local microwave signal at the frequency of 5 GHz, continuously tunable microwave signals over a span from 5 GHz to 40 GHz are generated no optical filter. The experimental results confirm that the scheme has an excellently wideband tunability compared with the previous reported method [18].…”

“…However, the optical comb was generated by only single phase modulator resulting in generating limited harmonics which is determined by the half-wave voltage of the modulator. Recently, Yang proposed to generate multi-band microwave signal based on an OFC, which is assisted by an optical bandpass filter leading to generate microwave signal only through beating between two adjacent modulation sidebands [18]. In addition, the frequency of the generated microwave signal cannot be continuously changed in a wide frequency range.…”

Two-way interconversion of millimeter-wave and optical fields in Rydberg gases

“…Next we show that Rydberg-Rydberg interactions are negligible for the level scheme in figure 5 and for an atomic density of =´- 2 10 m 17 3 . First we note that the Rydberg blockade radius is m…”

Satellite Payloads Pay Off

“…If multiple optical LO signals are sent to the MZM, all LOs are combined with the RF signal to generate multiple IF signals at the same time. For example, taking advantage of the optical LOs generated by the OFC, a 6.1-GHz C-Band signal can be converted to 4.1-GHz (C Band), 3.9-GHz (C Band), and 11.9-GHz (X Band) signals simultaneously [37]. Due to the negligible optical nonlinearity in the MZM and the optical fiber, optical LOs and IFs with different wavelengths do not interact, so large channel isolation can be guaranteed.…”