Photonics-based RF phase shifter for ultra-broadband communications

This paper presents a simple and reconfigurable photonics-based radiofrequency phase shifter (PBPS) for ultra-broadband communications. The proposed approach makes use of a single DC voltage control to manage the RF signal phase. It employs a single-drive Mach-Zehnder modulator, an optical filter and optical phase shifter for performing a continuous (from 0 to 360°) RF phase shift over an ultra-wide frequency range. Numerical results demonstrate a flatness phase shift of RF signals up to 100 GHz, with low amplitude and phase deviations of 0.002 dB and 0.050°, respectively. The proposed device can be applied to future wireless networks, including 5G systems operating in the millimeter-waves.