Optical microwave generation and transmission experiments in the 12- and 60-GHz region for wireless communications

Experiments on the optical generation and transmission of millimeter-wave radio signals are reported. The millimeter-wave signals are generated by heterodyning the optical spectral lines of a mode-locked laser (MLL) or of two or more semiconductor lasers at an optic/millimeter-wave converter (OMC). 70-, 140-, and 155-Mb/s data transmission experiments have been carried out successfully in optical single-channel and multichannel systems at radio frequencies of 12 GHz and 58-70 GHz. Bit-error-rate measurements yielded error-free transmission and no error floor was observed. A monolithically integrated tunable optical-signal source was developed and used for generating the millimeter-wave signals. This technology promises a high cost-saving potential for applications in radio-over-fiber systems.