Time reversal of broadband microwave signal based on frequency conversion of multiple subbands

Time reversal of broadband microwave signals based on frequency conversion of multiple subbands is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The broadband input spectrum is cut into a number of narrowband subbands, and the center frequency of each subband is reassigned by multiheterodyne measurement. The input spectrum is inversed, while the time reversal of the temporal waveform is also realized. The equivalence between time reversal and the spectral inversion of the proposed system is verified by mathematical derivation and numerical simulation. Meanwhile, spectral inversion and time reversal of a broadband signal with instantaneous bandwidth larger than 2 GHz are experimentally demonstrated. Our solution shows good potential for integration where no dispersion element is employed in the system. Moreover, this solution for an instantaneous bandwidth larger than 2 GHz is competitive in the processing of broadband microwave signals. (c) 2023 Optica Publishing

Automated summary

A time reversal method for broadband microwave signals based on frequency conversion of multiple subbands is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The input spectrum is divided into narrowband subbands and the center frequency of each subband is reassigned using multiheterodyne measurement. The system achieves both spectral inversion and time reversal of the input waveform. Mathematical derivation and numerical simulation support the equivalence between time reversal and spectral inversion in this system. Experimental results also show successful spectral inversion and time reversal of a broadband signal with instantaneous bandwidth larger than 2 GHz. The proposed solution shows promise for integration without dispersion elements and is competitive for processing broadband microwave signals.