A Compact Optoelectronic Oscillator Based on an Electroabsorption Modulated Laser

A novel method to miniaturize the optoelectronic oscillator (OEO) is proposed and demonstrated by replacing the laser source, intensity modulator, and photodetector with an electroabsorption modulated laser (EML), because the electroabsorption modulator (EAM) in the EML can perform simultaneously photodetection and intensity modulation. A 9.945-GHz microwave signal with a phase noise of -101.31 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset is experimentally generated. The dependence of the phase noise on the EAM bias voltage is investigated. The EML-based OEO features low cost, simple structure, and potentially high operational frequency, which can find applications in future communications, radars, navigation, and satellite systems.