Highly stabilized millimeter-wave generation by using fiber-optic frequency-tunable comb generator

A novel optical generation and transport technique for millimeter-wave (mm-wave) signals by using the fiber-optic frequency-tunable comb generator having a discrete emission spectrum as the light source is proposed. 60 GHz mm-wave signal generation and transmission over a 108 km-long optical fiber link at /spl lambda/=1560 nm is demonstrated. Excellent stability of both the frequency and amplitude of the mm-wave carrier is attained, so that the 3 dB linewidth is less than 0.3 kHz and the variance of the amplitude fluctuation is 0.07 dB. The advantages include tunability of the carrier frequency, handling ease, and no need for a high-speed external light modulator.