Programmable RAMZI Filter for Integrated Microwave Photonic Processors

This paper introduces an optimization technique for a fully tunable RAMZI (Ring-Assisted Mach-Zehnder Interferometer) filter, specifically focusing on its application in integrated microwave photonic processors. The proposed filter design eliminates the need for monitoring components and employs a novel optimization technique that operates independently in each ring by switching between the two arms of the filter. Additionally, the filter can be configured to implement different filter architectures, allowing for flexible filtering requirements in communication systems. Experimental demonstrations were conducted using the device as an interleaver, implementing various types of IIR (Infinite Impulse Response) filters and SCISSOR (Side-Coupled Integrated Spaced Sequence of Resonators) filters. These results demonstrate the exceptional reconfigurability of the filter design proposed herein in terms of bandwidth and central frequency.