Integrated microwave photonics for phase modulated systems

For the last 25 years, microwave photonic (MWP) systems and links have relied almost exclusively on discrete optoelectronic devices, standard optical fibers and fiber-based components. With this concept, various functionalities like RF signal generation, distribution, processing and analysis have been demonstrated. However, configurations with discrete devices are bulky, expensive, high in power consumption and severely lacking in reconfigurability. We believe that a new trend termed as integrated microwave photonics [1] is emerging. Integrated MWP addresses the incorporation of MWP subsystems in photonic integrated circuit (PIC) technologies, to achieve reduction in inter-element coupling loss, power consumption and cost. But more importantly, photonic (and eventually electronic) integration aims at increased MWP systems performance and reconfigurability unprecedented by more traditional solutions.