Optoelectronic $K$-Band Oscillator With Gigahertz Tuning Range and Low Phase Noise

Abstract

We propose and demonstrate a K -band optoelectronic oscillator with ultralow phase noise performance and a frequency tuning range exceeding 1 GHz. The operation principle is based upon using two parallel optoelectronic loops with similar but not equal length and an electrical phase shifter for frequency tuning. We experimentally demonstrate tunable microwave signal generation within 20.7-21.8 GHz with a coarse frequency resolution of ~100 MHz. Fine tuning of the generated signal within a range of ±5 MHz is also achieved. The linewidth and phase noise of the generated microwave signal are <;3 Hz and -105 dBc/Hz at 10-kHz offset, respectively. Within the full gigahertz tuning range, the phase noise and output power of the generated microwave signal varies by only ±1.5 and <;1 dB, respectively.