Directly Synthesized Complex Impulse Response Technique in Microwave Photonic Signal Processor and Its Experimental Characterization

A new direct synthesis technique for designing a microwave photonic signal processor is presented. A complex continuous-time impulse response is synthesized from the microwave filter parameters. The impulse response is then mapped to the corresponding parameters in the optical domain by configuring the optical spectrum and phase of the modulated optical light source. Design and synthesis procedures for arbitrary RF/microwave response are derived. Through analysis, simulation and experimental results, we demonstrate a continuous-time impulse response synthesis technique for microwave photonic filters.