RF Photonics

In parallel with the development of fiber optics for transmission of digital information, the 1970s and 1980s saw the development of techniques for the transmission of wide-bandwidth analog radio-frequency (RF) signals over optical fibers. The simultaneous need for high linearity and high signal-to-noise in RF photonic links spurred the development of lasers, modulators and detectors matched to the special needs of such links. RF photonics was also explored for the processing of RF signals by means of optically implemented filters and variable-delay lines. Commercial applications of RF photonics included cable television signal distribution and subcarrier-multiplexed digital signals.