Advances in Microwave Photonic Signal Processing and Sensing

Advances in microwave photonic signal processing are presented. These include versatile photonic-assisted scanning receivers for high-speed microwave frequency measurement of unknown signals. They feature the ability to operate over extremely wide frequency ranges and can measure multiple frequencies including very closely spaced frequencies. Also a high-resolution microwave photonic sensing system is described. This is based on a reflective double-pass spectrum slicing sensing scheme, using low coherence interferometry in combination with a dispersive media, and the results display extremely high sensitivity. These microwave photonic processors provide new capabilities for the realisation of high-performance signal processing and sensing.