Radio frequency analog optical heterodyne links

Coherent links have been previously shown to have superior performance than direct detection counterparts in terms of linearity and noise performance. However, requirements like phase noise cancellation increase the complexity of the coherent links thereby limiting their application especially at high frequencies. This dissertation presents wideband filter - rectifier - narrowband filter (WIRNA) receiver based coherent links that rival the direct detection links in circuit complexity while maintaining the high performance seen in coherent links. Specifically, analog frequency modulated WIRNA links, operating from the L to Ku bands (1--18GHz), are looked into. An experimental 16GHz link with noise figure (NF) = (40 +/- 1) dB and spurious free dynamic range (SFDR) = (108 +/- 2) dB-Hz2/3 were experimentally demonstrated, which to the best of our knowledge is the fastest RF link reported to date.; Enhancement of link performance through the use of pre-emphasis and balanced photodiodes (BPD) is discussed. A BPD monolithically integrated with a MMI coupler was fabricated using asymmetric twin-waveguide (ATG) technology. Experimental WIRNA links employing the integrated BPD were compared with single photodiode based counterparts. A fully integrated heterodyne receiver is also studied, and suggestions for further improvements are made.; Transmission volume Bragg gratings (VBG) are introduced as ideal candidates to implement 3dB couplers and wavelength multiplexers needed for vertical incidence optical links. The modeling of multiplexed VBGs using coupled mode theory is described, along with an analysis of grating non-idealities using a perturbation technique.; Finally, practical limitations to the noise figure and the dynamic range of the FM-WIRNA links are studied. An optical phase locked loop (PLL) based FM link is presented as a possible alternative to achieve higher dynamic ranges. The PLL link also serves as an illustration of the complexity of typical coherent links. The methods and results of this dissertation enhance the power and simplicity of the WIRNA link, making coherent links more attractive than direct detection links than before.