Abstract
We study the phase and amplitude stability of RF signals, generated
at different frequencies by heterodyning pairs of modes from the optical spectrum
of an active mode-locked laser, and we focus on the dependence of noise on
the RF frequency. A specific theoretical model is derived, and the amplitude
and timing jitter behaviour of the RF signals are analyzed and experimentally
validated. The timing jitter reveals to be constant at any RF generated frequency,
making the considered RF generation method suitable for the realization of
flexible and highly stable micro- and millimeter-wave coherent radar transceivers.
The performance of the considered RF generation architecture are compared
with a state-of-the-art RF synthesizer, proving that the optically generated
RF signals meet the high stability requirements of the new generation of coherent
radar systems, even at extremely high frequencies (EHF).
© 2011 IEEE
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