Radio-over-fiber DSB-to-SSB conversion using semiconductor lasers at stable locking dynamics.

In radio-over-fiber systems, optical single-sideband (SSB) modulation signals are preferred to optical double-sideband (DSB) modulation signals for fiber distribution in order to mitigate the microwave power fading effect. However, typically adopted modulation schemes generate DSB signals, making DSB-to-SSB conversion necessary before or after fiber distribution. This study investigates a semiconductor laser at stable locking dynamics for such conversion. The conversion relies solely on the nonlinear dynamical interaction between an input DSB signal and the laser. Only a typical semiconductor laser is therefore required as the key conversion unit, and no pump or probe signal is necessary. The conversion can be achieved for a broad tunable range of microwave frequency up to at least 60 GHz. In addition, the conversion can be carried out even when the microwave frequency, the power of the input DSB signal, or the frequency of the input DSB signal fluctuates over a wide range, leading to high adaptability and stability of the conversion system. After conversion, while the microwave phase quality, such as linewidth and phase noise, is mainly preserved, a bit-error ratio down to 10-9 is achieved for a data rate up to at least 8 Gb/s with a detection sensitivity improvement of more than 1.5 dB.

Photonic microwave amplification for radio-over-fiber links using period-one nonlinear dynamics of semiconductor lasers.

For radio-over-fiber links, microwave-modulated optical carriers with high optical modulation depth are preferred because high optical modulation depth allows generation of high microwave power after photodetection, leading to high detection sensitivity, long transmission distance, and large link gain. This study investigates the period-one nonlinear dynamics of semiconductor lasers for optical modulation depth improvement to achieve photonic microwave amplification through modulation sideband enhancement. In our scheme, only typical semiconductor lasers are required as the amplification unit. The amplification is achieved for a broad microwave range, from less than 25 GHz to more than 60 GHz, and for a wide gain range, from less than 10 dB to more than 30 dB. The microwave phase quality is mainly preserved while the microwave power is largely amplified, improving the signal-to-noise ratio up to at least 25 dB. The bit-error ratio at 1.25 Gbits/s is better than 10(-9), and a sensitivity improvement of up to at least 15 dB is feasible.

Optical double-sideband modulation to single-sideband modulation conversion using period-one nonlinear dynamics of semiconductor lasers for radio-over-fiber links.

To distribute microwaves over fibers, optical single-sideband (SSB) modulation signals are preferred to optical double-sideband (DSB) modulation signals. This study investigates an optically injected semiconductor laser at period-one nonlinear dynamics for optical DSB-to-SSB conversion. For the operating microwave frequencies up to 40 GHz investigated in this study, the proposed system regenerates or even enhances the microwave features of an optical DSB input while converting its optical feature into SSB with an intensity difference of at least 20 dB. The bit-error ratio at 622 Mb/s is down to 10(-9) with a sensitivity improvement of up to 3 dB. The proposed system can be self-adapted to certain changes in the operating microwave frequency and can operate stably under certain fluctuations in the input optical power and frequency.

Radio-over-fiber AM-to-FM upconversion using an optically injected semiconductor laser.

A radio-over-fiber system uses light to carry a microwave subcarrier on optical fibers. The microwave is usually frequency modulated for wireless broadcasting. A conventional optical communication system usually operates at the baseband with amplitude modulation. The interface of the two systems thus needs an upconversion from the baseband to the microwave band with AM-to-FM transformation. An all-optical solution employing an optically injected semiconductor laser is investigated. The laser is operated in a dynamic state, where its intensity oscillates at a microwave frequency that varies with the injection strength. When the injection carries AM data, the microwave is frequency modulated accordingly. We demonstrate optical conversion from an OC-12 622-Mbps AM baseband signal to the corresponding FM microwave signal. The microwave is centered at 15.90 GHz. A bit-error rate of less than 10(-9) is measured.