Frequency-reconfigurable terahertz wireless transmission using an optical frequency comb based on radio-over-fiber technology

Abstract

We propose a prototype for frequency-reconfigurable terahertz (THz) wireless transmission using an optical comb based on radio-over-fiber technology. In the proposal, an electro-absorption modulator (EAM) followed by a phase modulator and an intensity modulator are used to generate a flat optical comb with a tunable frequency spacing. Then, a different THz signal can be generated by photo-mixing of optical two-tone signals from the comb lines. In the scheme, we obtain 46 comb lines within a 1-dB power deviation with an interval of about 10 GHz, and a THz up to 440 GHz is obtained. Moreover, a much higher bandwidth can be easily reached by adjusting the driving signal of the EAM. The feasibility and tunability of the proposed scheme are confirmed by the simulations. This method shows a simple cost-efficient configuration and good performance over long-distance delivery.