Linearized broadband optical detector: study and implementation of optical phase-locked loop

Abstract

Optical phase-locked loop (OPLL) is used to improve the linearity of an optical link for transmission of analog signals. The finite loop delay and the presence of a low-pass filter, required for stable loop operation, lead to a nontrivial frequency response. Here, the linearity improvement in OPLL is investigated, and simple relation among the loop delay, the open-loop gain, and the loop-filter bandwidth that must be satisfied for stable operation of the OPLL is found. This relation is used to determine the fundamental limit on spur-free dynamic range (SFDR) improvement that OPLL can offer over a conventional Mach-Zehnder (MZ)-type detector.