Integrated RF Photonic Front-End Capable of Simultaneous Cascaded Functions

Integrated radio frequency (RF) photonic front-ends are capable of ultra-broadband signal reception and processing. However, state-of-the-art demonstrations are typically limited to performing a single functionality at any given time, failing to meet the demands of advanced RF applications in complex electromagnetic environments. In this work, a novel integrated RF photonic front-end that enables simultaneous cascaded functionalities with enhanced RF performances is introduced, representing a significant departure from conventional approaches. Specifically, the presented design can delay or phase-shift signals within a selected frequency band while concurrently suppressing interferers in other bands, effectively replicating the operation of a conventional RF front-end chain. Additionally, an on-chip linearization technique is implemented to enhance the spurious-free dynamic range and a low-biasing technique to improve the link gain and noise performances of the system. This work marks an advancement in RF photonic front-end design and expands their potential for practical applications.