Class-B microlwave-photonic link using optical frequency modulation and linear frequency discriminators

A class-B optical link is demonstrated as a means to provide high spur-free dynamic-range (110.4 dB (.) Hz(2/3)) with a minimum average received power associated with the optical carrier. The link uses optical frequency modulation, linear fiber-Bragg-grating frequency discriminators, and balanced detection to provide high linearity and maximum signal power. Shot and intensity noises are minimized by the low total average received photocurrent (0.88 mA) that results from class-B operation.