Limitation Due to Signal-Clipping in Linearized Microwave-Photonic Links

Microwave-photonic links with ideally linear transfer functions (class A or B) are limited by distortion due to signal clipping. This limitation is investigated theoretically and through numerical simulation, with results for up to 50 input carriers confirming analytic results based on a Gaussian input distribution. An ultimate clipping-free dynamic range of 183.5 dB - Hz is predicted for an ideal class-B link, up to 70 dB greater than achieved with conventional links.