Microwave photonics frequency-to-time mapping based on a Fourier domain mode locked optoelectronic oscillator.

An approach to microwave photonics frequency-to-time mapping (MWP FTM) is proposed based on a Fourier domain mode locked optoelectronic oscillator (FDML OEO). In this approach, a relationship between the frequency of the input microwave signal and the time difference of the output pulses is established with the help of the fast frequency scanning capability of the FDML OEO. The ability to measure the microwave spectral information in the time domain using the proposed system has the potential to enable new metrology and signal processing schemes with a superior performance in terms of real-time bandwidth and operation speed compare with traditional approaches. As an application example, single and multi-tone microwave frequency measurement are experimentally demonstrated based on the proposed MWP FTM system.