V.M. Vladimirov1, M.Yu. Reushev2, K.A. Drevin3

1,2 FRC KSC SB RAS (Krasnoyarsk, Russia)

3 OOO «NPF «Elektron» (Krasnoyarsk, Russia)

1 vlad@ksc.krasn.ru, 2 reuqem@mail.ru, 3 drevin_konstantin@mail.ru

Efficient distribution of optical signals from laser diodes, in systems of transmission of broadband signals over fiber-optic communication lines requires low fluctuations of laser radiation phase and high power of laser radiation. Small fluctuations of signal phase and high power of laser diodes when operating at high frequencies of radiation modulation contradict each other. In this case, the use of external optical modulators is required.

Among optical modulators, electro-optical modulators are the most promising. For example, application of fiber electro-optical modulator in the mode of conversion of high-frequency signals will allow to create tunable inter-band cross-couplings. Such connections can be relevant for use in the systems of receiving and transmitting antennas of spacecraft.

In order to study the processes of conversion of high frequency signals, with the help of electro-optical modulator, experimental studies were carried out.

During the spectral measurements, two modes of high-frequency signal conversion were observed. The first mode is a conversion of the «down-conversion» type with generation of the difference frequency from two mixed signals: ωout=ωi–ω0. The second mode, this is the «up-conversion» type conversion, in which a more complex spectrum was observed in the form of combinations of frequencies: mωi±nω0, where m = n = 1.

Comparison of measurement results for two modes of conversion of high-frequency signals allowed us to conclude that the «down-conversion» mode is more effective for application of EOM as a converter of RF signals. In this mode power losses for the difference frequency (ωi–ω0) of the mixed signals are minimal, due to the absence of parasitic components comparable in power to the signals ωi and ω0.

The main conclusions of the work are that the scheme of the mixer of high-frequency signals on the basis of fiber electro-optic modulator in the «down-conversion» mode allows to carry out an effective and one-stage conversion of the frequency of the mixed signals. Such a mixer scheme can be used in various radio-photonics systems, where it is required to carry out not only the transmission of radio-frequency signals over fiber-optic communication lines, but also their conversion in order to separate radio-frequency signals and create adjustable inter-band cross-connections for the transmission of both digital and analog signals. In particular, such a mixer can be used in payload systems of receiving and transmitting antennas onboard spacecraft.

Vladimirov V.M., Reushev M.Yu., Drevin K.A. Microwave signal mixer based on fiber electro-optical intensity modulator. Achievements of modern radioelectronics. 2023. V. 77. № 12. P. 35–41. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18127/j20700784-202312-05 [in Russian]

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