Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-g7gxr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-11T01:50:31.133Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Simulation of microwave optical links and proof of noise figure lower than electrical losses

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 December 2010

Anne-Laure Billabert*
Affiliation:
ESYCOM-CNAM, 292 rue Saint-Martin, 75141 Paris Cedex 3, France.
Mourad Chtioui
Affiliation:
Thales Air Systems, Hameau de Roussigny, 91470 Limours, France.
Christian Rumelhard
Affiliation:
ESYCOM-CNAM, 292 rue Saint-Martin, 75141 Paris Cedex 3, France.
Catherine Algani
Affiliation:
ESYCOM-CNAM, 292 rue Saint-Martin, 75141 Paris Cedex 3, France.
Mehdi Alouini
Affiliation:
Institut de Physique de Rennes, UMR 6251, CNRS-Université de Rennes 1, 35042 Rennes Cedex, France.
Quentin Lévesque
Affiliation:
Thales Air Systems, Hameau de Roussigny, 91470 Limours, France.
Christophe Feuillet
Affiliation:
Thales Air Systems, Hameau de Roussigny, 91470 Limours, France.
Alexandre Marceaux
Affiliation:
Thales Air Systems, Hameau de Roussigny, 91470 Limours, France.
Thomas Merlet
Affiliation:
Thales Air Systems, Hameau de Roussigny, 91470 Limours, France.
*
Corresponding author: A.-L. Billabert Email: anne-laure.billabert@cnam.fr

Abstract

The operation of a microwave photonic link is thoroughly investigated both theoretically and experimentally. To this aim, we have developed a simulation tool based on an accurate physical model embedded in a radio frequency (RF) chain simulator. The theoretical predictions are tested on an intensity modulation-direct detection (IMDD) link we have specifically developed to this purpose. Our simulation tool takes into account both optical and electrical characteristics of the link components including the laser dynamics and impedance matching networks. It thus enables an accurate understanding of the different physical and electrical phenomena governing the link's performances even under unusual operation conditions. Specifically, we were able to isolate an unusual behavior and to confirm it experimentally. It is thereby clear that the noise figure of a microwave optical link can be lower than the electrical losses, such as a mismatched output passive electrical network. This state is reached when the optical losses are high enough and when the link's output impedance is mismatched, too.

Type
Original Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press and the European Microwave Association 2010

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

[1]Gay, E.; LeLigné, M.; Hui Bon Hoa, D.: PartII: an example of the use of the comsis software: simulation of an optical network which uses wavelength multiplexing, fsk modulation format and direct detection. Ann. Telecommun., 50(3–4) (1995), 389400.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
[2]Garenaux, K.; Merlet, T.; Alouini, M.; Lopez, J.; Boula-Picard, R.; Breuil, N.: Recent breakthroughs on RF photonics for radar and electronics warfare, in Radar 2004 Conf., UWB, paper 11A-UWB-1, Toulouse, France, 2004.Google Scholar
[3]Bdeoui, A.; Billabert, A.-L.; Polleux, J.-L.; Algani, C.; Rumelhard, C.L.: A new definition of opto-microwave S parameters and noise figures for a IM-DD microwave photonic link. Proc. Eur. Microw. Assoc., 4 (2008), 212220.Google Scholar
[4]Ackerman, E.I.; Cox III, C.; Betts, G.; Roussell, H.; Ray, K.; O'Donnell, F.: Input impedance conditions for minimizing the noise figure of an analog optical link. IEEE Trans. Microw. Theory Tech., 46(12) (1998), 20252031.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
[5]Cox III, C.H.: Analog Optical Links: Theory and Practise, New York: Cambridge University Press, 2004.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
[6]Frigyes, I.: Radio over Fiber Technologies for Mobile Communications Networks, Chap 1, London: Artech House, 2002, 163.Google Scholar
[7]Tucker, R.S.; Pope, D.J.: Microwave circuit models of semi conductor injection laser. IEEE Trans. Microw. Theory Tech., 31 (3) (1983), 289294.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
[8]Blanc, S.; Alouini, M.; Garenaux, K.; Queguiner, M., Merlet, T.: Optical multibeamforming network based on WDM and dispersion fiber in receive mode, IEEE. Trans. Microw. Theory Tech. 54 (2006), 402.CrossRefGoogle Scholar