This paper will discuss mission requirements and possible architectures of optical fibre network for the distribution of Master Local Oscillator (MLO) signals to multiple RF input ports on-board Satellite payloads. With that purpose, each of the MLO signals is modulated onto a different CW optical carrier in order to be distributed and power is equally split into multiple fibre paths while in the optical domain. The MLO signals to be delivered can be either lower power digital signals as well as high power analogue signals (> 0 dBm), and/or a combination of both, in the frequency range between 1 GHz and 20 GHz.
The novel contribution of this paper is the comparison of two architectures whose main distinction is a different number of amplifiers against the required RF ports. This in turn defines the optimum way for optical amplification implementation in the optical signal distribution network. The trade-off shows that for the high number of MLOs and smaller number (<32) of RF output ports the wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) before optical amplification is preferred, while for the low MLO number and high number (>100) of RF ports distribution network the high power highly efficient optical power amplification is more beneficial. These two types of networks are compared focusing on the DC power consumption of all the equipment and the flexibility to accommodate them onto the Spacecraft.
Join John Lincoln, Natalie Wheeler, Richard Carter, Rob Richards, and Kasia Balakier as they present a vision for the future of photonics, identifying the key topics that will be the focus of research a decade or more from now. Based on the collective input of 26 of the UK’s leading photonics academics, 70 key topics are highlighted for future research focus across materials, optical and physical phenomena, future manufacturing processes, device and systems. This unique horizon scanning exercise, jointly published with the All Party Parliamentary Group on Photonics and Quantum, aims to stimulate engagement from government, funding agencies and industry to shape future innovation strategy and to inspire the next generation of researchers.
We present a vision for the future of photonics, identifying the key topics that will be the focus of research a decade or more from now. Based on the collective input of 26 of the UK’s leading photonics academics, 70 key topics are highlighted for future research focus across materials, optical and physical phenomena, future manufacturing processes, device and systems. This unique horizon scanning exercise, jointly published with the All Party Parliamentary Group on Photonics and Quantum, aims to stimulate engagement from government, funding agencies and industry to shape future innovation strategy and to inspire the next generation of researchers.
In this paper we present two different techniques for photonic generation of millimeter and THz waves. Each of them tackles the phase noise problem associated with optical sources in a different way. The first one relays on the heterodyne down-conversion of two phase noise correlated optical tones. The correlation is achieved by generation of an optical frequency comb. To select one of the optical lines we use an optical phase lock loop, which besides enabling a frequency offset between output and input, can provide optical gain and is highly selective. The second one relays on the envelope detection of a single sideband-with carrier signal. In this approach the photonic remote antenna unit is implemented as monolithically integrated photonic chip.
A comparative study of two different Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) structures for continuous-wave generation of millimeter-wave (MMW) signals is presented, each using a different approach. One approach is optical heterodyning, using an integrated dual-wavelength laser source based on Arrayed Waveguide Grating. The other is based on ModeLocked Laser Diodes (MLLDs). A novel building block -Multimode Interference Reflectors (MIRs) – is used to integrate on-chip both structures, without need of cleaved facets to define the laser cavity. This fact enables us to locate any of these structures at any location within the photonic chip. As will be shown, the MLLD structure provides a simple source for low frequencies. Higher frequencies are easier to achieve by optical heterodyne. Both types of structures have been fabricated on a generic foundry in a commercial MPW PIC technology.
Optical fibre transmission has enabled greatly increased transmission rates, with 10 Gb/s common in local area networks. End users find wireless access highly convenient, however limited spectrum availability at microwave frequencies results in per-user transmission rates which are limited to much lower values, 500 Mb/s for 5 GHz band IEEE 802.11ac, for example. Extending the high data-rate capacity of optical fibre transmission to wireless devices, requires greatly increased carrier frequencies. This paper will describe how photonic techniques can enable ultra-high capacity wireless data distribution and transmission using signals at millimetre-wave and TeraHertz (THz) frequencies.
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