A Novel Analog Broadband RF Predistortion Circuit to Linearize Electro-Absorption Modulators in Multiband OFDM Radio-Over-Fiber Systems

We propose and demonstrate a novel and simple predistortion circuit using reflective antiparallel diodes for linearization of electro-absorption modulators (EAMs) in multiband orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (MB-OFDM) ultra-wideband (UWB) radio-over-fiber systems for UWB signals from 3.1 to 4.8 GHz. In this novel predistortion circuit, neither amplifiers, nor phase shifters are used, while only two antiparallel connected diodes are used, and the predistortion signal is adjusted by tuning the diodes' dc-bias current. The simple architecture makes the circuit cost effective and suitable for UWB system applications. By adding the predistortion circuit before the EAM, more than 7-dB suppression in third-order intermodulation distortion and 11-dB improvement in spurious-free dynamic range are achieved over the frequency range of 3.1-4.8 GHz, i.e., bandgroup 1 of MB-OFDM UWB. Correspondingly, 1-dB improvement in error vector magnitude is obtained experimentally when the designed predistortion circuit is used.