Generation of Phase-Coded LFM Signals Based on Fourier Domain Mode-Locked Optoelectronic Oscillator

Abstract

Phase-coded linearly frequency modulated (LFM) signals play essential roles in enhancing the performance of radar as well as exploring wireless communication. To generate phase-coded LFM signals, we propose to launch a phase-coded signal into an optoelectronic oscillator (OEO). When the OEO is Fourier domain mode-locked (FDML), a phase-coded LFM signal is generated. The center frequency, bandwidth, coding pattern, and bit rate of the generated signals can be flexibly adjusted. In the experiment, a phase-coded LFM microwave signal with a bandwidth of 5.0 GHz is generated, corresponding to a time bandwidth product (TBWP) of 2.8×10 <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">5</sup> . The center frequency and bandwidth of the generated signals are adjusted from 9.7 to 10.7 GHz and from 5.0 to 3.0 GHz, respectively. Meanwhile, different coding patterns and rates are also implemented, indicating that the phase-coded LFM signal can be used in wireless communications. The proposed approach can potentially be applied to multifunctional integration in radar.