Novel combiner for hybrid digital/RF fiber-optic application

Abstract

In this paper, a combiner for a hybrid digital/RF fiber-optic link system is designed and implemented via the multi-layer organic (MLO) process. This combiner aggregates the baseband signal (7 Gbit/s PRBS) with the modulated RF signal (14 GHz) through the vertical coupling structure. The insertion loss between the RF port and output port of the combiner is measured as 1.9 dB. Measurement results also show isolation greater than 10 dB at 7 GHz and 38 dB at 14 GHz between the baseband port and RF port. This new type of combiner can work as a key component in hybrid fiber-optic applications.