Ultralow-phase-noise millimetre-wave signal generator assisted with an electro-optics-modulator-based optical...

Area of Science:

• Electrical Engineering
• Optoelectronics
• Signal Processing

Background:

• Low-phase-noise millimetre-wave signals are crucial for advanced applications like digital sampling, ultra-wideband communications, and coherent radar.
• Conventional signal generators (SGs) suffer from increasing phase noise at higher millimetre-wave frequencies, limiting their utility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance commercially available signal generators (SGs) for producing low-phase-noise millimetre-wave signals.
• To investigate the use of an electro-optics-modulator-based optical frequency comb (EOM-OFC) to mitigate phase noise in SGs.

Main Methods:

• Utilized an electro-optics-modulator-based optical frequency comb (EOM-OFC) to bridge the frequency gap between gigahertz and terahertz ranges.
• Employed the EOM-OFC as a phase noise amplifier to effectively reduce the inherent phase noise of the SG.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated significant reduction in phase noise for millimetre-wave signals generated by conventional SGs.
• Achieved phase noise reduction across an arbitrary frequency range from 6 to 72 GHz.
• The EOM-OFC acted as a critical component in magnifying the SG's phase noise, leading to its subsequent reduction.

Conclusions:

• The integration of an EOM-OFC offers a viable method to significantly decrease phase noise in millimetre-wave signals.
• This approach enhances the performance of widely used signal generators for high-frequency applications.
• The EOM-OFC serves as an effective phase noise reduction tool for millimetre-wave signal generation.