Photonics-Based Broadband Microwave Measurement

Microwave measurement refers to the acquisition of parameters of a microwave signal or the identification of properties of an object via microwave-based approaches. Thanks to the broad bandwidth and high speed provided by modern photonics, microwave measurement in the optical domain can provide better performance in terms of bandwidth and speed which may not be achievable using traditional, even state-of-the-art electronics. In this tutorial, techniques for photonics-based broadband and high-speed microwave measurement are discussed with an emphasis on the system architectures for microwave signal parameter measurement and object property identification. Emerging technologies in this area and possible future research directions are also discussed.