Ultrahigh Dynamic Range and Low Noise Figure Programmable Integrated Microwave Photonic Filter

Abstract

Microwave photonics (MWP) has adopted a number of important concepts and technologies over the recent pasts, including photonic integration, versatile programmability, and techniques for enhancing key radio frequency performance metrics such as the noise figure and the dynamic range. However, to date, these aspects have not been achieved simultaneously in a single circuit. Here, we demonstrate, for the first time, a multi-functional integrated microwave photonic circuit that enables on-chip programmable filtering functions while achieving record-high of >120 dB.Hz dynamic range and 15 dB of noise figure that are previously unreachable. We achieve this unique feature using versatile complex spectrum tailoring enabled by an all integrated modulation transformer and a double injection ring resonator as a multi-function optical filtering component. This work breaks the conventional and fragmented approach of integration, functionality and performance that currently prevents the adoption of integrated MWP systems in real applications.

Chip-Based Brillouin Processing for Microwave Photonic Phased Array Antennas

“…Recent demonstrations of MWP filters with optimised link performance have come close to the target metrics, using a combination of fibre-based and chip-based components [45], [46], [158]. For example, Daulay et al reported an MWP filter using on-chip processing that achieved a link gain of 10 dB, and noise figure of 15 dB, and SFDR of 116 dB.Hz 2/3 [158]. This performance was enabled using low-biasing, high power lasers and optical amplifiers [158].…”

“…However, most integrated microwave photonic systems do not meet these metrics, or do not report them. Recent demonstrations of MWP filters with optimised link performance have come close to the target metrics, using a combination of fibre-based and chip-based components [45], [46], [158]. For example, Daulay et al reported an MWP filter using on-chip processing that achieved a link gain of 10 dB, and noise figure of 15 dB, and SFDR of 116 dB.Hz 2/3 [158].…”

“…To simplify the discussion without loss of generality, we discuss the PAA The core components of the integrated Brillouin processor are highlighted in Fig. 19 (b), which works as follows; an input RF signal is modulated onto the optical carrier by MZM2 at (i), a modulation transformer [157], [158] generates the required modulation format at (ii), on-chip optical amplifiers set the pump and probe power as required before the probe undergoes Brillouin processing at (iii), an optical notch filter suppresses reflections of the Brillouin pump at (iv). Reflections are primarily caused by index changes between different materials and can be greatly reduced in an appropriately designed integrated platform, compared to systems that rely on a combination of chip-scale and fibre components [94].…”

“…For example, Daulay et al reported an MWP filter using on-chip processing that achieved a link gain of 10 dB, and noise figure of 15 dB, and SFDR of 116 dB.Hz 2/3 [158]. This performance was enabled using low-biasing, high power lasers and optical amplifiers [158]. When the same MWP filter was optimised to maximise linearity, an SFDR of 123 dB.Hz 2/3 was observed [158].…”

“…This performance was enabled using low-biasing, high power lasers and optical amplifiers [158]. When the same MWP filter was optimised to maximise linearity, an SFDR of 123 dB.Hz 2/3 was observed [158]. Although the noise figure and linearity were not all optimised simultaneously, this device recorded highest linearity, and lowest noise figure in an MWP link that uses on-chip processing to-date [158].…”