Numerical Analysis of a Multi-Function Photonic Integrated Circuit for Coherent Radio-Over-Fiber

A digital coherent radio-over-fiber (RoF) system comprising a microwave photonic integrated circuit (MPIC) as the main building block is proposed. The multifunction MPIC circuit is analyzed to operate as a single-sideband (SSB) modulator and as an in-phase and quadrature modulator (IQM) of a baseband signal in the RoF downlink. The circuit is also analyzed in the uplink as an SSB of a 60-GHz frequency-shifted input. The performance of the MPIC is assessed through numerical simulations, computing the harmonic distortions in the SSB, as well as the error vector magnitude in the IQM and coherent RoF system. Obtained results illustrate the advantage of the proposed MPIC for heterodyne mixing by providing the upper and lower sidebands spatially located in distinct ports. Moreover, simulation results yield insights into the feasibility of the circuit as an IQM of both baseband and low-power intermediate frequency signals. A comparison of an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing system and a single carrier system employing the proposed circuit in the end-to-end transport of high data rate is presented through error vector magnitude calculations.