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Photon frequency measurement system and method using complimentary electro-optical modulation

Nogueira, R.N. ; Drummond, M. V.

Instituto de Telecomunicações, Universidade de Aveiro

Invention Title: Photon frequency measurement system and method using complimentary electro-optical modulation

Patent Nr.: PCT/IB2010/055744

Type: Patent

Regional Coverage: PCT

Priority Date: 10-12-2010

Filing Date: 10-12-2010

Abstract
The present invention relates to a photon system for measuring the frequency of a radiofrequency (RF) signal (1). The system is based on conversion of the RF signal to the optical domain, generated by a Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM) and two electrodes and two optical outputs (8, 9, 10, 11). The power of the RF carriers of the two optical signals (12) obtained after electro-optical modulation of an appropriate source (7) varies with the frequency of the RF signal. Said variation is dissimilar in the two optical signals obtained but is complimentary. The frequency of the RF signal is determined (15, 16) on the basis of the measured power (14) of the RF carriers of the two optical signals obtained after electro-optical modulation. Two preferred configurations are proposed, which differ from one another in terms of the method used to remove (13) the optical carrier from one of the two modulated optical signals. The invention further comprises the appropriate electrical circuits (2, 3, 4, 5, 6).