SPIE Milestones are collections of seminal papers from the world literature covering important discoveries and developments in optics and photonics.

SPIE Milestones are collections of seminal papers from the world literature covering important discoveries and developments in optics and photonics.

Analog Optical Links presents the basis for the design of analog links. Following an introductory chapter, there is a chapter devoted to the development of the small signal models for common electro-optical components used in both direct and external modulation. However this is not a device book, so the theory of their operation is discussed only insofar as it is helpful in understanding the small signal models that result. These device models are then combined to form a complete link. With these analytical tools in place, a chapter is devoted to examining in detail each of the four primary link parameters; gain, bandwidth, noise figure and dynamic range. Of particular interest is the inter-relation between device and link parameters. A final chapter explores some of the trade offs among the primary link parameters.

Radio communications in the range of 60 GHz enable multi-Gigabit/s network access in indoor environments. Due to the propagation characteristics of such signals only very short range radio transmission is feasible. In order to distribute these signals across large distances, analog transmission over optical fiber is considered. In this work, mode-locked laser diodes serve as optoelectronic oscillators for the generation of such signals. Their system-relevant properties are studied in detail.

SPIE Milestones are collections of seminal papers from the world literature covering important discoveries and developments in optics and photonics.

In many applications, radio frequency (RF) signals need to be transmitted and processed without being digitalized. Optical fiber provides a transmission medium in which RF modulated optical carriers can be transmitted and distributed with very low loss, making it more efficient and less costly than conventional electronic systems. This volume presents a review of RF photonic components, transmission systems, and signal processing examples in optical fibers from leading academic, government, and industry scientists working in this field. It also introduces the reader to various related technologies such as direct modulation of laser sources, external modulation techniques, and detectors. The text is aimed at engineers and scientists engaged in the research and development of optical fibers and analog RF applications. With an emphasis on design, performance and practical application, this book will be of particular interest to those developing systems based on this technology.