RF phase modulation of optical signals and optical/electrical signal processing

Abstract

Analog RF phase modulation of optical signals has been a topic of interest for many years, mainly focusing on Intensity Modulation Direct Detection (IMDD). The virtues of coherent detection combined with the advantages of Frequency Modulation, however, have not been explored thoroughly. By employing Frequency Modulation Coherent Detection (FMCD), the wide optical transmission bandwidth of optical fiber can be traded for higher signal-to-noise performance. In this thesis, we derive the FM gain over AM modulation -- the maximum achievable signal-to-noise ratio (by spreading the signal's spectrum) for specific carrier-to-noise ratio. We then employ FMCD for a scheme of remote antennas for which we use optical components and subsystem to perform signal processing such as nulling of interfering signals. The performance of optical processing on different modulation schemes are compared, and some important conclusions are reported relating to the use of conventional FMCD, FMCD with optical discriminator (FMCD O-D), and IMDD. Specifically, the superiority of conventional FMCD is shown; and, on the other hand, the inferiority of FMCD O-D is shown (same performance as IMDD) because of the use of an O-D. Finally, the remote antenna scheme is generalized for N antennas and N users.