Efficient, Simple Optical Heterodyne Receiver: DC TO 80 GHz

D. K. Donald; D. M. Bloom; F. K. David

doi:10.1117/12.948341

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28 October 1985 Efficient, Simple Optical Heterodyne Receiver: DC TO 80 GHz

D. K. Donald, D. M. Bloom, F. K. David

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Proceedings Volume 0545, Optical Technology for Microwave Applications II; (1985) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.948341
Event: 1985 Technical Symposium East, 1985, Arlington, United States

Abstract

An optical receiver front end was built which detects optical heterodyne signals up to 80 GHz. The unit combines optical detection in a GaAs photodiode with RF mixing of that same detected signal in the same photodiode. At low frequencies the diode is biased with DC, working as a conventional detector. Above 2 GHz the photodiode in the unit can be excited simultaneously with both light and a local oscillator voltage. The unit then produces intermedite frequency mixer products. When the signal mixes with the fundamental of the local oscillator (LO), these products are only 5 dB weaker than the original heterodyne signal. The LO voltage was 1.4 VRMS and its frequency 2-6 GHz. Above 6 GHz higher harmonics of the LO voltage mix with the RF photosignal. They mix unusually well in this receiver, and deliver significant power to the IF amplifier. Near 80 GHz, the receiver's IF power of -88 dBm was generated when the 14th harmonic of the LO mixed with the signal.

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D. K. Donald, D. M. Bloom, and F. K. David "Efficient, Simple Optical Heterodyne Receiver: DC TO 80 GHz", Proc. SPIE 0545, Optical Technology for Microwave Applications II, (28 October 1985); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.948341

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