Optimization of novel configurations of millimetre-wave fibre radio systems using optical Fabry-Perot filters

Abstract

Two Mach-Zehnder (MZ) modulators are used in the system configurations under consideration for the FRANS project for generating and modulating optical carriers. In the novel system configurations currently suggested by us, however, only one MZ modulator will be needed for both creating and modulating the optical carriers. For these configurations an Fabry-Perot (FP) filter is used to select or eliminate optical spectral components. We find that the system performance of those configurations depends on the bandwidth of the FP filter and on whether there exists a misalignment between the central frequency of the FP filter and the optical spectral component to be selected or eliminated. An optimal filter bandwidth may exist. Through optimisation using a modelling platform developed for millimetre-wave fibre radio systems, significant improvement of system performance has been demonstrated. (6 pages)