Recent progresses on optical arbitrary waveform generation

Abstract

This paper reviews recent progresses on optical arbitrary waveform generation (AWG) techniques, which could be used to break the speed and bandwidth bottlenecks of electronics technologies for waveform generation. The main enabling techniques for optically generating optical and microwave waveforms are introduced and reviewed in this paper, such as wavelength-to-time mapping techniques, space-to-time mapping techniques, temporal pulse shaping (TPS) system, optoelectronics oscillator (OEO), programmable optical filters, optical differentiator and integrator and versatile electro-optic modulation implementations. The main advantages and challenges of these optical AWG techniques are also discussed.

Keywords

optical arbitrary waveform generation (AWG) / wavelength-to-time mapping / optoelectronics oscillator (OEO) / temporal pulse shaping (TPS) system / optical differentiator and integrator / electro-optic modulation

References

[1] Win M, Scholtz R. Ultra-wide bandwidth time-hopping spread-spectrum impulse radio for wireless multiple-access communications. IEEE Transactions on Communications, 2000, 48(4): 679–689

[2] Daniels R, Heath R Jr. 60 GHz wireless communications: emerging requirements and design recommendations. IEEE Vehicular Technology Magazine, 2007, 2(3): 41–50

[3] Lee J, Nguyen C, Scullion T. A novel, compact, low-cost, impulse ground-penetrating radar for nondestructive evaluation of pavements. IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, 2004, 53(6): 1502–1509

[4] Weiner A. Femtosecond pulse shaping using spatial light modulators. Review of Scientific Instruments, 2000, 71(5): 1929–1960

[5] Chou J, Han Y, Jalali B. Adaptive RF-photonic arbitrary waveform generator. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 2003, 15(4): 581–583

[6] Lin I, McKinney J, Weiner A. Photonic synthesis of broadband microwave arbitrary waveforms applicable to ultra-wideband communication. IEEE Microwave and Wireless Components Letters, 2005, 15(4): 226–228

[7] Farhang M, Salehi J A. Spread-time/time-hopping UWB CDMA communication. In: Proceedings of IEEE International Symposium on Communications and Information Technology (ISCIT). 2004, 2: 1047–1050

[8] Hamidi E, Weiner A. Phase-only matched filtering of ultrawideband arbitrary microwave waveforms via optical pulse shaping. Journal of Lightwave Technology, 2008, 26(15): 2355–2363

[9] McKinney J, Lin I, Weiner A. Shaping the power spectrum of ultra-wideband radio-frequency signals. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 2006, 54(12): 4247–4255

[10] Liu Y, Park S, Weiner A. Terahertz waveform synthesis via optical pulse shaping. IEEE Journal on Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, 1996, 2(3): 709–719

[11] Miyamoto D, Mandai K, Kurokawa T, Takeda S, Shioda T, Tsuda H. Waveform-controllable optical pulse generation using an optical pulse synthesizer. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 2006, 18(5): 721–723

[12] Takiguchi K, Okamoto K, Takahashi H, Shibata T. Flexible pulse waveform generation using silica-waveguide-based spectrum synthesis circuit. Electronics Letters, 2004, 40(9): 537–538

[13] Pan S, Yao J. IR-UWB over fiber systems compatible with WDM-PON networks. Journal of Lightwave Technology, 2011, 29(20): 3025–3034

[14] Lin J, Lu C L, Chuang H P, Kuo F M, Shi J W, Huang C B, Pan C L. Photonic generation and detection of W-band chirped millimeter-wave pulses for radar. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 2012, 24(16): 1437–1439

[15] Shabani M, Akbari M. Simultaneous microwave chirped pulse generation and antenna beam steering. Progress in Electromagnetics Research, 2012, 22: 137–148

[16] Shi J W, Kuo F, Chen N, Set S, Huang C, Bowers J. Photonic generation and wireless transmission of linearly/nonlinearly continuously tunable chirped millimeter-wave waveforms with high time-bandwidth product at W-band. IEEE Photonics Journal, 2012, 4(1): 215–223

[17] Deng Y, Li M, Huang N, Zhu N. Ka-band tunable flat-top microwave photonic filter using a multi-phase-shifted fiber Bragg grating. Photonics Journal, 2014, (in press)

[18] Zou X, Li M, Pan W, Luo B, Yan L, Shao L. Optical length change measurement via RF frequency shift analysis of incoherent light source based optoelectronic oscillator. Optics Express, 2014, 22(9): 11129–11139

[19] Deng Y, Li M, Huang N, Wang H, Zhu N. Optical length change measurement based on an incoherent single bandpass microwave photonic filter with high resolution. Photonics Research, 2014, 2(4): B35

[20] Deng Y, Li M, Huang N, Azana J, Zhu N. Serial time-encoded amplified microscopy for ultrafast imaging based on multi-wavelength laser. Chinese Science Bulletin, 2014, 59(22): 2693–2701

[21] Guo J J, Li M, Deng Y, Huang N, Liu J, Zhu N. Multichannel optical filters with an ultranarrow bandwidth based on sampled Brillouin dynamic gratings. Optics Express, 2014, 22(4): 4290–4300

[22] Zou X, Li M, Ge W, Pan W, Luo B, Yan L, Azaña J. Synthesis of fiber Bragg gratings with arbitrary stationary power/field distribution. IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics, 2014, 50(3): 186–197

[23] Wang H, Zheng J Y, Li W, Wang L X, Li M, Xie L, Zhu N H. Widely tunable single-bandpass microwave photonic filter based on polarization processing of a nonsliced broadband optical source. Optics Letters, 2013, 38(22): 4857–4860

[24] Zheng J, Zhu N, Wang L, Li M, Wang H, Li W, Qi X, Liu J. Spectral sculpting of chaotic-UWB signals using a dual-loops optoelectronic oscillator. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 2013, 25(24): 2397–2400

[25] Zou X, Li M, Pan W, Yan L, Azaña J, Yao J. All-fiber optical filter with an ultranarrow and rectangular spectral response. Optics Letters, 2013, 38(16): 3096–3098

[26] Li B, Li M, Lou S, Azaña J. Linear optical pulse compression based on temporal zone plates. Optics Express, 2013, 21(14): 16814–16830

[27] Malacarne A, Ashrafi R, Li M, LaRochelle S, Yao J, Azaña J. Single-shot photonic time-intensity integration based on a time-spectrum convolution system. Optics Letters, 2012, 37(8): 1355–1357

[28] Li W, Li M, Yao J. A narrow-passband and frequency-tunable micro-wave photonic filter based on phase-modulation to intensity-modulation conversion using a phase-shifted fiber Bragg grating. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 2012, 60(5): 1287–1296

[29] Liu W, Li M, Wang C, Yao J. Real-time interrogation of a linearly chirped fiber Bragg grating sensor based on chirped pulse compression with improved resolution and signal-to-noise ratio. Journal of Lightwave Technology, 2011, 29(9): 1239–1247

[30] Shahoei H, Li M, Yao J. Continuously tunable time delay using an optically pumped linearly chirped fiber Bragg grating. IEEE/OSA. Journal of Lightwave Technology, 2011, 29(10): 1465–1472

[31] Li Z, Wang C, Li M, Chi H, Zhang X, Yao J. Instantaneous microwave frequency measurement using a special fiber Bragg grating. IEEE Microwave Theory and Wireless Component Letters, 2011, 21(1): 52–54

[32] Capmany J, Mora J, Gasulla I, Sancho J, Lloret J, Sales S. Microwave photonic signal processing. Journal of Lightwave Technology, 2013, 31(4): 571–586

[33] Minasian R. Photonic signal processing of microwave signals. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 2006, 54(2): 832–846

[34] Yao J, Zeng F, Wang Q. Photonic generation of ultrawideband signals. Journal of Lightwave Technology, 2007, 25(11): 3219–3235

[35] Yao J. Photonic generation of microwave arbitrary waveforms. Optics Communications, 2011, 284(15): 3723–3736

[36] Wang C, Yao J. Fiber Bragg gratings for microwave photonics subsystems. Optics Express, 2013, 21(19): 22868–22884

[37] Torres-Company V, Metcalf A J, Leaird D E, Weiner A M. Multichannel radio-frequency arbitrary waveform generation based on multiwavelength comb switching and 2-D line-by-line pulse shaping. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 2012, 24(11): 891–893

[38] Shahoei H, Yao J. Continuously tunable chirped microwave waveform generation using a tilted fiber Bragg grating written in an erbium/ytterbium codoped fiber. IEEE Photonics Journal, 2012, 4(3): 765–771

[39] Jiang H, Yan L, Ye J, Pan W, Luo B, Zou X. Photonic generation of microwave signals with tunabilities. Chinese Science Bulletin, 2014, 59(22): 2672–2683

[40] Burla M, Cortés L R, Li M, Wang X, Chrostowski L, Azaña J. Integrated waveguide Bragg gratings for microwave photonics signal processing. Optics Express, 2013, 21(21): 25120–25147

[41] Wang C, Yao J. Photonic generation of chirped millimeter-wave pulses based on nonlinear frequency-to-time mapping in a nonlinearly chirped fiber Bragg grating. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 2008, 56(2): 542–553

[42] Wang C, Yao J. Phase-coded millimeter-wave waveform generation using a spatially discrete chirped fiber Bragg grating. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 2012, 24(17): 1493–1495

[43] Zhang F, Ge X, Pan S, Yao J. Photonic generation of pulsed microwave signals with tunable frequency and phase based on spectral-shaping and frequency-to-time mapping. Optics Letters, 2013, 38(20): 4256–4259

[44] Zhang F, Ge X, Pan S. Background-free pulsed microwave signal generation based on spectral shaping and frequency-to-time mapping. Photonics Research, 2014, 2(4): B5–B10

[45] Rashidinejad A, Weiner A.Photonic radio-frequency arbitrary waveform generation with maximal time-bandwidth product capability. Journal of Lightwave Technology, 2014, PP(99): 1

[46] Yao J, Zhang J, Asghari M H. Time-bandwidth product expansion of microwave waveforms using anamorphic stretch transform. In: Proceedings of CLEO: QELS_Fundamental Science. 2014, JTh2A.38

[47] Wang C, Zeng F, Yao J. All-fiber ultrawideband pulse generation based on spectral shaping and dispersion-induced frequency-to-time conversion. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 2007, 19(3): 137–139

[48] Chi H, Zeng F, Yao J. Photonic generation of microwave signals based on pulse shaping. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 2007, 19(9): 668–670

[49] Wang C, Yao J. Photonic generation of chirped microwave pulses using superimposed chirped fiber Bragg gratings. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 2008, 20(11): 882–884

[50] Chi H, Yao J. All-fiber chirped microwave pulse generation based on spectral shaping and wavelength-to-time conversion. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 2007, 55(9): 1958–1963

[51] Li M, Shao L, Albert J, Yao J. Tilted fiber Bragg grating for chirped microwave waveform generation. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 2011, 23(5): 314–316

[52] Leaird D E, Weiner A M. Femtosecond direct space-to-time pulse shaping in an integrated-optic configuration. Optics Letters, 2004, 29(13): 1551–1553

[53] McKinney J D, Leaird D E, Weiner A M. Millimeter-wave arbitrary waveform generation with a direct space-to-time pulse shaper. Optics Letters, 2002, 27(15): 1345–1347

[54] Ashrafi R, Li M, Azana J. Multi-TBaud optical coding based on superluminal space-to-time mapping in long period gratings. Scientific Research, 2013, 3(2): 126–130

[55] Ashrafi R, Li M, Belhadj N, Dastmalchi M, LaRochelle S, Azaña J. Experimental demonstration of superluminal space-to-time mapping in long period gratings. Optics Letters, 2013, 38(9): 1419–1421

[56] Ashrafi R, Li M, Azaña J. Tsymbol/s optical coding based on long period gratings. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 2013, 25(10): 910–913

[57] Ashrafi R, Li M, Azaña J. Coupling-strength-independent long-period grating designs for THz-bandwidth optical differentiators. IEEE Photonics Journal, 2013, 5(2): 7100311

[58] Ashrafi R, Li M, LaRochelle S, Azaña J. Superluminal space-to-time mapping in grating-assisted co-directional couplers. Optics Express, 2013, 21(5): 6249–6256

[59] Chi H, Yao J. Symmetrical waveform generation based on temporal pulse shaping using an amplitude-only modulator. Electronics Letters, 2007, 43(7): 415–417

[60] Li M, Yao J. Photonic generation of continuously tunable chirped microwave waveforms based on a temporal interferometer incorporating an optically-pumped linearly-chirped fiber Bragg grating. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 2011, 59(12): 3531–3537

[61] Li M, Yao J. All-optical short-time Fourier transform based on a temporal pulse shaping system incorporating an array of cascaded linearly chirped fiber Bragg gratings. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 2011, 23(20): 1439–1441

[62] Han Y, Li Z, Pan S, Li M, Yao J. Photonic-assisted tunable microwave pulse fractional Hilbert transformer based on a temporal pulse shaping system. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 2011, 23(9): 570–572

[63] Li M, Han Y, Pan S, Yao J. Experimental demonstration of symmetrical waveform generation based on amplitude-only modulation in a temporal pulse shaping system. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 2011, 23(11): 715–717

[64] Li M, Wang C, Li W, Yao J. An unbalanced temporal pulse shaping system for chirped microwave waveform generation. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 2010, 58(11): 2968–2975

[65] Wang C, Li M, Yao J. Continuously tunable photonic microwave frequency multiplication by use of an unbalanced temporal pulse shaping system. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 2010, 22(17): 1285–1287

[66] Li W, Yao J. Generation of linearly chirped microwave waveform with an increased time-bandwidth product based on a tunable optoelectronic oscillator and a recirculating phase modulation loop. Journal of Lightwave Technology, 2014: 1

[67] Huang N, Li M, Deng Y, Zhu N. Optical pulse generation based on an optoelectronic oscillator with cascaded nonlinear semiconductor optical amplifiers. Photonics Journal, 2014, 6(1): 5500208-1–5500208-8

[68] Li M, Li W, Yao J. A tunable optoelectronic oscillator based on a high-Q spectrum-sliced photonic microwave transversal filter. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 2012, 24(14): 1251–1253

[69] Scott R P, Fontaine N K, Heritage J P, Yoo S J. Dynamic optical arbitrary waveform generation and measurement. Optics Express, 2010, 18(18): 18655–18670

[70] Hu Y, Li M, Bongiovanni D, Clerici M, Yao J, Chen Z, Azaña J, Morandotti R. Spectrum to distance mapping via nonlinear Airy pulses. Optics Letters, 2013, 38(3): 380–382

[71] Li M, Jeong H S, Azaña J, Ahn T J. 25-terahertz-bandwidth all-optical temporal differentiator. Optics Express, 2012, 20(27): 28273–28280

[72] Liu W, Li M, Guzzon R, Norberg E, Parker J, Coldren L, Yao J. Photonic temporal integrator with an ultra-long integration time window based on an InP-InGaAsP integrated ring resonator. Journal of Lightwave Technology, 2014: 1

[73] Huang N, Li M, Ashrafi R, Wang L, Wang X, Azaña J, Zhu N. Active Fabry-Perot cavity for photonic temporal integrator with ultra-long operation time window. Optics Express, 2014, 22(3): 3105–3116

[74] Fernandez M, Li M, Dastmalchi M, Carballar A, LaRochelle S, Azaña J. Picosecond optical signal processing based on transmissive fiber Bragg gratings. Optics Letters, 2013, 38(8): 1–3

[75] Li M, Dumais P, Ashrafi R, Bazargani H, Quéléne J, Callender C, Azaña J. Ultrashort flat-top pulse generation using on-chip CMOS-compatible Mach-Zehnder interferometers. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 2012, 24(16): 1387–1389

[76] Li M, Yao J. Ultrafast all-optical wavelet transform based on temporal pulse shaping incorporating a two-dimensional array of cascaded linearly chirped fiber Bragg gratings. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 2012, 24(15): 1319–1321

[77] Li M, Yao J. Multichannel arbitrary-order photonic temporal differentiator for wavelength-division-multiplexed signal processing using a single fiber Bragg grating. Journal of Lightwave Technology, 2011, 29(17): 2506–2511

[78] Li M, Shao L, Albert J, Yao J. Continuously tunable photonic fractional temporal differentiator based on a tilted fiber Bragg grating. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 2011, 23(4): 251–253

[79] Li M, Yao J. Experimental demonstration of a wideband photonic temporal Hilbert transformer based on a single fiber Bragg grating. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 2010, 22(21): 1559–1561

[80] Li M, Yao J. All-fiber temporal photonic fractional Hilbert transformer based on a directly designed fiber Bragg grating. Optics Letters, 2010, 35(2): 223–225

[81] Li M, Janner D, Yao J, Pruneri V. Arbitrary-order all-fiber temporal differentiator based on a fiber Bragg grating: design and experimental demonstration. Optics Express, 2009, 17(22): 19798–19807

[82] Liu W, Yao J. Photonic generation of arbitrary microwave waveforms based on a polarization modulator in a Sagnac loop. Journal of Lightwave Technology, 2014, (accepted)

[83] Xiang P, Zheng X, Zhang H, Li Y, Chen Y. A novel approach to photonic generation of RF binary digital modulation signals. Optics Express, 2013, 21(1): 631–639

[84] Liu X, Pan W, Zou X, Zheng D, Yan L, Luo B, Lu B. Photonic generation of triangular-shaped microwave pulses using SBS-based optical carrier processing. Journal of Lightwave Technology, 2014, PP(99): 1

[85] Xiang P, Zheng X, Zhang H, Li Y, Wang R. Photonic generation of BFSK RF signals based on optical pulse shaping. Optoelectronics Letters, 2012, 8(5): 368–371

[86] Chi H, Yao J. An approach to photonic generation of high-frequency phase-coded RF pulses. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 2007, 19(10): 768–770

[87] Chi H, Yao J. Photonic generation of phase-coded millimeter-wave signal using a polarization modulator. IEEE Microwave and Wireless Components Letters, 2008, 18(5): 371–373

[88] Li W, Wang L X, Zheng J Y, Li M, Zhu N H. Photonic generation of ultrawideband signals with large carrier frequency tunability based on an optical carrier phase-shifting method. IEEE Photonics Journal, 2013, 5(5): 5502007

[89] Li W, Wang L X, Li M, Zhu N H. Photonic generation of widely tunable and background-free binary phase-coded radio-frequency pulses. Optics Letters, 2013, 38(17): 3441–3444

[90] Li W, Wang L X, Li M, Zhu N H. Single phase modulator for binary phase-coded microwave signals generation with large carrier frequency tunability. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 2013, 25(19): 1867–1870

[91] Li W, Wang L X, Zheng J Y, Li M, Zhu N H. Photonic MMW-UWB signal generation via DPMZM-based frequency up-conversion. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 2013, 25(19): 1875–1878

[92] Li W, Wang L X, Li M, Wang H, Zhu N H. Photonic generation of binary phase-coded microwave signals with large frequency tunability using a dual-parallel Mach-Zehnder modulator. IEEE Photonics Journal, 2013, 5(4): 5501507

[93] Fernández-Ruiz M R, Li M, Azaña J. Time-domain holograms for generation and processing of temporal complex information by intensity-only modulation processes. Optics Express, 2013, 21(8): 10314–10323

[94] Li M, Li Z, Yao J P. Photonic generation of a precisely pi phase shifted binary phase-coded microwave signal. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 2012, 24(22): 2001–2004

[95] Li Z, Li M, Chi H, Zhang X, Yao J. Photonic generation of phase-coded millimeter-wave signal with large frequency tunability using a polarization-maintaining fiber Bragg grating. IEEE Microwave and Wireless Components Letters, 2011, 21(12): 694–696

[96] Khan M H, Shen H, Xuan Y, Zhao L, Xiao S, Leaird D E, Weiner A M, Qi M. Ultrabroad-bandwidth arbitrary radiofrequency waveform generation with a silicon photonic chip-based spectral shaper. Nature Photonics, 2010, 4(2): 117–122

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank our colleagues for their contributions in these works, such as Reza Ashrafi, Chao Wang, Tae-Jung Ahn, Ze Li, Wei Li, Ningbo Huang, Ye Deng, Yi Hu, Roberto Morandotti, Yichen Han, Shilong Pan, Maria Rosario and Wangzhe Li. This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 61377002, 61321063, and 61090391). This work was also supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). Ming Li was supported in part by the “Thousand Young Talent” program.

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

2014 Higher Education Press and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg