A generalized circuit architecture for RF-photonic frequency multiplication with minimum RF energy. Issue 3 (6th February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hasan, Mehedi; Hinzer, Karin; Hall, Trevor
• Is Part Of: Journal of modern optics. Volume 66:Issue 3(2019)
• Page Start: 287
• Page End: 292
• Publication Date: 2019-02-06
• Subjects: Frequency multiplication -- cascade MZM; Optics -- Periodicals; 535
• DOI: 10.1080/09500340.2018.1519607
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0950-0340

Abstract

ABSTRACT: A general radio frequency (RF)-photonic circuit design for implementing frequency multiplication is proposed. The circuit consists ofN cascaded differentially driven Mach–Zehnder modulators (MZMs) biased at the minimum transmission point with a progressive RF phase shift ofπ / N applied to each stage. The frequency multiplication factor obtained is2 N . The novelty of the design is the reduced input RF energy required in comparison to the functionally equivalent parallel MZM configuration. Using the transfer matrix method, anN = 3 architecture is modelled to obtain frequency sextupling. An industry standard simulation tool is used to verify the architectural concepts and analysis. The proposed design requires neither optical or electrical filtering nor careful adjustment of the modulation index for correct operation. In addition, the overall intrinsic conversion efficiency of theN = 3 cascade circuit is improved by∼ 5 dB over a parallel MZM circuit. Finite MZM extinction and/or phase errors and power imbalances in the electric drive signals are also taken into consideration and their impact on the overall performance has been investigated. The circuit can be integrated in any material platform that offers electro-optic modulators.