RF silicon photonics for wideband, high dynamic range microwave and millimeter-wave signal processing

We review the potential of RF photonics for microwave and millimeter-wave communication systems. The integration of photonic components in silicon CMOS processes introduces new potential for realizing RF beamforming systems with substantial signal processing and relatively low-power remote antennas. This paper reviews RF photonic link operation and reveals fundamental device challenges to wide-band high dynamic range photonic links. We demonstrate the potential for spur-free dynamic range of more than 110 dBc Hz
^2/3
is possible in silicon processes in microwave bands. We also present measurements of a silicon photonic MZM that reaches 102.8 dBcHz
^2/3
at 1 GHz.