Photonic-enabled millimeter-wave F-band wireless link using photonic integrated circuits

Abstract

Millimeter-waves (30-300 GHz) have interest due to the wide bandwidths available for carrying information, enabling broadband wireless communications. Photonics is a key technology for millimeter wave signal generation, recently demonstrating the use of photonic integration to reduce size and cost. In this paper, we present two dual-wavelength Photonic Integrated Circuit structures designed for signal generation using the optical heterodyne technique. We demonstrate a 1 Gbps data rate wireless link that does not require any stabilization scheme to lock the two wavelengths. Both integrated dual-wavelength sources are based on an Arrayed Waveguide Grating element. A novel building block-Multimode Interference Reflectors - is used to integrate on-chip one of these structures, without need of cleaved facets to define the laser cavity. This fact enables us to locate any of these structures at any location within the photonic chip.