Photonic analog-to-digital converters

Area of Science:

• Photonics
• Electrical Engineering
• Signal Processing

Background:

• Overview of electronic analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) and their properties.
• Explanation of analog optical link characteristics relevant to photonic ADCs.
• Contextualization of photonic ADCs within the broader field of signal conversion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively review over three decades of research on photonic analog-to-digital converters (ADCs).
• To categorize existing photonic ADC architectures and analyze their performance.
• To discuss the future prospects and potential impact of photonic ADCs.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of scientific literature on photonic ADCs published over the last 30+ years.
• Classification of photonic ADCs into four distinct categories based on the roles of photonic and electronic components.
• Analysis of the fundamental principles and technological advancements in each category.

Main Results:

• Identification and review of four primary classes of photonic ADCs: photonic-assisted, photonic sampling/electronic quantizing, electronic sampling/photonic quantizing, and fully photonic sampling/quantizing.
• Clarification that all reviewed photonic ADC architectures incorporate electronic sampling and quantization.
• Summary of the state-of-the-art performance and limitations of current photonic ADC technologies.

Conclusions:

• Photonic ADCs offer significant potential for advancing high-frequency signal digitization.
• Further research and development are needed to overcome current limitations and realize the full capabilities of photonic ADCs.
• Photonic ADCs are poised to play a crucial role in future electronic systems requiring high-speed data conversion.