An Exact Analytical Time-Domain Model for Nonlinear Optical Links with Mach-Zehnder Modulator and Photodetector in Dispersive Channel

In this paper, a time-domain approach for exact analytical model is presented to analyze nonlinear optical links in radio-on-fiber (RoF) systems. This analytical model unifies general cases of a dual drive Mach-Zehnder modulator (DD-MZM) and photodetector (PD) in dispersive channel, which results in output current after a PD as a function of the summation of each frequency component in time domain. Additionally, the model provides explicitly power spectral density function of a photocurrent. By utilizing simulations for typical optical double sideband and single sideband signals, we confirm that the model is well matched even in relatively high input radio frequency (RF) power