Optical replication technique for wideband transient waveform digitization

Alan Johnstone; Meirion F. Lewis; Jonathan D. Hares

doi:10.1117/12.307609

4 May 1998 Optical replication technique for wideband transient waveform digitization

Alan Johnstone, Meirion F. Lewis, Jonathan D. Hares

Proceedings Volume 3285, Fabrication, Testing, Reliability, and Applications of Semiconductor Lasers III; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.307609
Event: Optoelectronics and High-Power Lasers and Applications, 1998, San Jose, CA, United States

Abstract

In many modern military systems it is necessary to digitize wideband data of bandwidth up to 10 GHz or more at say 8-bit accuracy for subsequent processing by computer. This is currently beyond the capability of any single current electronic A/D converter, and a variety of alternative techniques have been investigated to alleviate this problem. In the laboratory a digital sampling oscilloscope can digitize signals of bandwidth up to at least 50 GHz, but only through the use of a repetitive input waveform. Our technique involves amplitude-modulating a single radar return on to the output of a laser diode, and using of an assembly of single-mode optical fiber delay lines and couplers to replicate this optical waveform in time, effectively converting it into a repetitive (optical) waveform. This repetitive waveform is converted back to the electrical domain through a photodiode, and sampled with a conventional (relatively) low-speed ADC. The latter operates in a Vernier mode, taking successive samples at different elapsed times in the replicated electrical waveforms, so as to build up a complete record of the waveform. The paper discusses the design of the system and various practical issues, and presents preliminary results on its operation.

Citation Download Citation

Alan Johnstone, Meirion F. Lewis, and Jonathan D. Hares "Optical replication technique for wideband transient waveform digitization", Proc. SPIE 3285, Fabrication, Testing, Reliability, and Applications of Semiconductor Lasers III, (4 May 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.307609

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available