Photonic Generation of Multiple Shapes and Sextupled Microwave Signal Based on Polarization Modulator

In this article, a photonic technique is proposed for generating the microwave signal of multiple shapes. Furthermore, this is modified to give a microwave signal with frequency multiplying capability, which does not require an optical filter. The proposed methodology is relied on the polarization modulator (PM), the Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM), and the variable optical delay line (VODL), where the transmission point of PM has been selected by static phase of polarizer controller and MZM by the dc bias voltage. An RF signal of 6-GHz frequency is applied at PM to modulate the optical carrier signal. Frequency-dependent VODL has been used to provide dynamic phase shifts in the harmonics of the modulated signal. Firstly, 12-GHz full-wave rectified (FWR) and 6-GHz half-wave rectified (HWR) sinusoidal signals have been generated using PM and VODL. For the generation of FWR and HWR, respective phase shifts of - π/2 and π have been introduced by VODL. Then, a sextupled microwave signal of 36-GHz frequency has been generated which is further processed for the generation of triangular-shaped HWR of 6-GHz frequency. This has been achieved by modulating one of the split powers of PM with the help of an MZM. The generation of such multishape rectified waveforms has not been reported before. Also, the frequency sextupling capability of the proposed technique defines the multifunctionality of the system. Theoretical analysis of the considered approach has been given which is supported by simulated results and validated by the experimental results.