A LOW-LOSS DOWNCONVERTING ANALOG FIBEROPTIC LINK

An analog fiber-optic link for concurrent detection and downconversion of microwave signals is reported. Optical amplification is employed i n conjunction with electrical power combining of photodetectors to dem onstrate link losses of 19.6 and 22.9 dB at RF carrier frequencies of 9 and 16 GHz, respectively. Analytic expressions validating the experi mental observations are also developed. The link may be employed to de tect phase sensitive or phase-modulated microwave signals and shows ex cellent potential for application in sensor systems involving remoting of an antenna element.