High performance photonic microwave frequency down-conversion using a dual-drive dual-parallel Mach-Zehnder modulator

Photonic microwave frequency down-conversion based on carrier suppression single sideband (CS-SSB) modulation via an integrated dual-drive dual-parallel Mach-Zehnder modulator (DP-MZM) is proposed. The MZM on the up path of the DP-MZM is used to generate SSB modulation signal, while the MZM on the bottom path of the DP-MZM is unmodulated. By adjusting the amplitude and phase of the unmodulated optical carrier, two optical carriers are cancelled out, which improves the performance of the system with reduced local oscillator (LO) power and large suppression of mixing spurious sidebands. The frequency down-conversion approach is theoretically analyzed and verified by simulation. Simulation results show that the power of frequency down-conversion signal is at least 39?dB higher than that of the mixing spurious sidebands. Besides, 9.5?dB gain, 2.8?dB noise figure (NF) and 1.9?dB spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR) improvements can be obtained compared with the previous OCS modulation frequency down-conversion scheme while the required LO power is 10?dB, 5?dB and 5?dB lower than that of the OCS modulation scheme, respectively.     

A simple analysis of the Dick effect in terms of phase noise spectral densities

In cold-atom frequency standards based on the Ramsey double interaction method, the phase noise of the interrogating signal appears as a random "end-to-end phase difference", thereby introducing frequency noise in the loop. This phenomenon is analyzed in this paper in the Fourier frequency domain, using phase noise power spectral densities S(phi)(f). In continuously operated standards, the excess noise thus introduced is servoed out in the long term to become eventually smaller than the atomic shot noise, whereas in standards with pulsed operation the phase noise around even harmonics of the pulse rate is down-converted by aliasing to base band. This latter mechanism is referred to in the literature as Dick effect. In this paper, a model of the frequency control servo system is proposed, in which the input signal is the (known) local oscillator (LO) phase noise S(phi)(f) and the output signal is the (unknown) phase noise S(phi)(f) of the standard in closed loop operation. The level of excess white frequency noise added by aliasing on the stabilized LO through the Dick effect can be related analytically to the characteristics of the free LO phase noise. From this, the stability limitation (with slope tau(-1/2)) typical of the Dick effect can then be obtained by the usual conversion formulas based on the power law model.     

A model for phase noise generation in amplifiers

In this paper, a model is presented for predicting the phase modulation (PM) and amplitude modulation (AM) noise in bipolar junction transistor (BJT) amplifiers. The model correctly predicts the dependence of phase noise on the signal frequency (at a particular carrier offset frequency), explains the noise shaping of the phase noise about the signal frequency, and shows the functional dependence on the transistor parameters and the circuit parameters. Experimental studies on common emitter (CE) amplifiers have been used to validate the PM noise model at carrier frequencies between 10 and 100 MHz     

A simplified filterless photonic frequency octupling scheme based on cascaded modulators

A simplified filterless frequency octupling scheme by connecting an intensity modulator (IM) with a dual-parallel Mach–Zehnder (DPMZM) in series is proposed in this paper. The LO signal is distributed into two parts, and one part is used to drive the IM and the other part is applied to drive the DPMZM’s upper sub-modulator, both at the peak point. The lower sub-modulator is only driven by dc bias, and the parent modulator works at null point. By properly adjusting dc bias of the lower sub-modulator, only ±4th-order optical sidebands dominate at the output of the DPMZM. The approach is verified by experiments, and 32-GHz and 40-GHz millimetre waves (mm-waves) are generated using 4-GHz and 5-GHz LO signals, respectively. We acquire a 15-dB electrical spurious suppression ratio (ESSR) and a relatively good phase noise of the signal. Compared with other schemes, the scheme is simple in configuration because only an IM and a DPMZM are needed. What’s more, the scheme is tunable in frequency as no filter is used.     

Theoretical study of the Dick effect in a continuously operatedRamsey resonator

It is well established that passive frequency standards operated in pulsed mode may suffer a degradation of their frequency stability due to the frequency (FM) noise of the Local Oscillator (LO). In continuously operated frequency standards, it has been shown that a similar degradation of the frequency stability may arise, depending on the used modulation-demodulation scheme. In this paper, we report a theoretical analysis on the possible degradations of the frequency stability of a continuous fountain due to the LO FM noise. A simple model is developed to evaluate whether or not aliasing persists. This model is based on a continuous frequency control loop of a frequency standard using a Ramsey resonator. From this model, we derive a general formula, valid for all usual modulation-demodulation schemes, for the LO frequency fluctuations due to aliasing in closed loop operation. We demonstrate that in an ideal situation and for all usual modulation waveforms, no aliasing occurs if the half-period of modulation equals the transit time of atoms in the Ramsey resonator. We also deduce that in the same conditions, square-wave phase modulation provides the strongest cancellation of the LO instabilities in closed loop operation. Finally, we show that the “Dick formula” for the specific case of the pulsed fountain can be recovered from the model by a sampling operation     

High spectral purity microwave oscillator: design using conventional air-dielectric cavity

We report exceptionally low PM noise levels from a microwave oscillator that uses a conventional air-dielectric cavity resonator as a frequency discriminator. Our approach is to increase the discriminator's intrinsic signal-to-noise ratio by use of a high-power carrier signal to interrogate an optimally coupled cavity, while the high-level of the carrier is suppressed before the phase detector. We developed and tested an accurate model of the expected PM noise that indicates, among other things, that a conventional air-dielectric resonator of moderate Q will exhibit less discriminator noise in this approach than do more esoteric and expensive dielectric resonators tuned to a high-order, high-Q mode and driven at the dielectric's optimum     

Current sensor using heterodyne detection

Based on the Faraday effect for measuring ac current, we describe a fiber-optic sensor that uses laser-diode intensity modulation to perform heterodyne signal detection. The sensor output at the carrier frequency is used as a reference signal to normalize the results. The sensing element consists of a few coils low-birefringence fibers between polarizers. We built the current sensor described above and tested its performance-sensitivity and noise-as functions of the angle between polarizers.     

Origin of 1/f PM and AM noise in bipolar junction transistor amplifiers

In this paper we report the results of extensive research on phase modulation (PM) and amplitude modulation (AM) noise in linear bipolar junction transistor (BJT) amplifiers. BJT amplifiers exhibit 1/f PM and AM noise about a carrier signal that is much larger than the amplifiers thermal noise at those frequencies in the absence of the carrier signal. Our work shows that the 1/f PM noise of a BJT based amplifier is accompanied by 1/f AM noise which can be higher, lower, or nearly equal, depending on the circuit implementation. The 1/f AM and PM noise in BJTs is primarily the result of 1/f fluctuations in transistor current, transistor capacitance, circuit supply voltages, circuit impedances, and circuit configuration. We discuss the theory and present experimental data in reference to common emitter amplifiers, but the analysis can be applied to other configurations as well. This study provides the functional dependence of 1/f AM and PM noise on transistor parameters, circuit parameters, and signal frequency, thereby laying the groundwork for a comprehensive theory of 1/f AM and PM noise in BJT amplifiers. We show that in many cases the 1/f PM and AM noise can be reduced below the thermal noise of the amplifier.     

Frequency and phase contributions to the detection of temporal luminance modulation

Observers detected a temporally modulated luminance pattern embedded in dynamic noise. A Gabor function with a carrier frequency, in separate conditions of 0, 1.56, or 3.12 Hz, modulated signal contrast. Classification images were constructed in the time, temporal frequency, and temporal phase domains. As stimulus frequency increased, amplitudes of the phase images decreased and amplitudes of the frequency images increased, indicating a corresponding shift in the observers' criteria. The reduced use of phase attenuated time-domain images from signal-absent trials, but physical interactions between signal and noise components tended to preserve time-domain images from signal-present trials. The results illustrate a frequency-dependent strategy shift in detection that may reflect a degree of stimulus uncertainty in the time domain.     

Advanced noise reduction techniques for ultra-low phase noise optical-to-microwave division with femtosecond fiber combs

We report what we believe to be the lowest phase noise optical-to-microwave frequency division using fiber-based femtosecond optical frequency combs: a residual phase noise of -120 dBc/Hz at 1 Hz offset from an 11.55 GHz carrier frequency. Furthermore, we report a detailed investigation into the fundamental noise sources which affect the division process itself. Two frequency combs with quasi-identical configurations are referenced to a common ultrastable cavity laser source. To identify each of the limiting effects, we implement an ultra-low noise carrier-suppression measurement system, which avoids the detection and amplification noise of more conventional techniques. This technique suppresses these unwanted sources of noise to very low levels. In the Fourier frequency range of ～200 Hz to 100 kHz, a feed-forward technique based on a voltage-controlled phase shifter delivers a further noise reduction of 10 dB. For lower Fourier frequencies, optical power stabilization is implemented to reduce the relative intensity noise which causes unwanted phase noise through power-to-phase conversion in the detector. We implement and compare two possible control schemes based on an acousto-optical modulator and comb pump current. We also present wideband measurements of the relative intensity noise of the fiber comb.     

Simultaneous line center and linewidth measurement using dual frequency modulation spectroscopy

We propose a method to simultaneously measure the center frequency of a spectral feature and the frequency linewidth of the feature. The method relies on dual frequency modulation of a carrier frequency, which probes the spectral feature, and phase sensitive detection of the transmitted signal at the two modulation frequencies. The detected signals provide two servo-stabilization signals for frequency control of the carrier frequency to the resonance line center and one of the modulation frequencies to the resonance linewidth.     

A derivation of the long-term degradation of a pulsed atomic frequency standard from a control-loop model

The phase of a frequency standard that uses periodic interrogation and control of a local oscillator (LO) is degraded by a long-term random-walk component induced by downconversion of LO noise into the loop passband. The Dick formula for the noise level of this degradation is derived from an explicit solution of an LO control-loop model.     

差分振子时间历程在微弱调制信号检测中的应用

单一的差分振子仅可实现对周期信号中某一频率成分进行检测,对于强噪声背景下的边频带,尽管可以利用多个差分振子组成差分阵列进行逐个检测,进而确定边频带的间隔,但这种做法无疑会带来巨大的计算量。在对调制信号进行Hilbert变换包络分析时,所得到的时域信号是原始调制信号中的低频分量,亦是调制波信号,若该低频分量仍然包含较强的噪声成分,传统的频谱分析将会失效。此时,我们可借助差分振子时间历程对含较强的噪声的包络进行检测。因此,提出基于差分振子时间历程的微弱调制信号检测方法,即首先对信号进行Hilbert包络解调,然后利用差分振子时间历程对含较强的噪声的幅值包络进行检测,并成功应用于风机早期故障检测中。     

基于变尺度多稳随机共振的微弱信号检测研究

针对强噪声背景下微弱信号难以检测的难题,提出基于变尺度多稳随机共振的微弱信号检测方法。多稳随机共振系统比双稳随机共振系统具有更好的微弱信号检测能力,为强噪声背景下微弱信号的检测提供了新方法。首先对大频率信号进行尺度变换使之满足随机共振条件,将频率压缩后的信号通过多稳系统,调整参数使其发生随机共振得到信号的频谱特征,并与双稳随机共振方法得到的特征频率进行比较,仿真和实例结果均表明:相同条件下,多稳随机共振方法比双稳随机共振方法得到的频率准确,可以增强信号的幅值,有效地检测出被噪声淹没的微弱信号。     

Motion of contrast envelopes: peace and noise

We examined the effect of changing the composition of the carrier on the perception of motion in a drifting contrast envelope. Human observers were required to discriminate the direction of motion of contrast modulations of an underlying carrier as a function of temporal frequency and scaled (carrier) contrast. The carriers were modulations of both color and luminance, defined within a cardinal color space. Random-noise carriers had either binary luminance profiles or flat (gray-scale-white) or 1/f (pink) spectral power functions. Independent variables investigated were the envelope spatial frequency and temporal-drift frequency and the fundamental spatial frequency, color, and temporal-update frequency of the carrier. The results show that observers were able to discriminate correctly the direction of envelope motion for binary-noise carriers at both high (16 Hz) and low (2 Hz) temporal-drift frequencies. Changing the carrier format from binary noise to a flat (gray-scale) or 1/f amplitude profile reduced discrimination performance slightly but only in the high-temporal-frequency condition. Manipulation of the fundamental frequency of the carrier elicited no change in performance at the low temporal frequencies but produced ambiguous or reversed motion at the higher temporal frequencies as soon as the fundamental frequency was higher than the envelope modulation frequency. We found that envelope motion detection was sensitive to the structure of the carrier.     

Properties of an oscillator slaved to a periodically interrogated atomic resonator

In advanced atomic resonators, such as those using a fountain of cold cesium atoms or an ensemble of stored ions, the atomic medium is interrogated periodically, and the control signal of the slaved oscillator is updated at equally spaced time intervals. We analyze the properties of the output frequency of these frequency standards. We establish the equations that describe the time behavior of this frequency. We give the stability condition and the transient response of the frequency feedback loop, the response to systematic frequency changes of the free running oscillator, the frequency stability for given free-running oscillator noise and given optical detection noise, and the limitation of the frequency stability by down-conversion of the intrinsic oscillator frequency noise (Dick effect). We point out that a second integration in the feedback loop may not improve significantly the rejection of slow perturbations, unless a condition relative to the timing of the atom-field interaction is verified.     

磁巴克豪森噪声检测材料疲劳的励磁频率优化研究

磁巴克豪森噪声在铁磁性材料早期疲劳损伤的检测中具有巨大的应用潜力.在疲劳检测过程中,励磁频率作为磁巴克豪森噪声的激发源,对检测结果有重要影响.实验研究励磁频率对磁巴克豪森噪声检测铁磁性材料疲劳时检测结果的影响规律,以20R钢材料为对象进行低周疲劳实验,并在励磁频率分别为9,16,35,60?Hz下对取自同一母材的3个试...     

A Novel Technique for Spatial Phase-shifting Interferometry

Abstract

A novel technique for phase detection using three-step spatial phase-shifting interferometry is presented. The presented technique overcomes and studies the two main problems presented in the commonly used three-step phase-stepping technique. These problems deal with the leak of carrier frequency in the detected phase and the optimal carrier frequency to obtain the highest phase noise robustness.     

Microwave generation with photonic frequency octupling using a DPMZM in a Sagnac loop

A photonic microwave signal generation scheme with frequency octupling is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The scheme is based on bi-directional use of a dual-parallel Mach–Zehnder modulator (DPMZM) in a Sagnac loop. The two sub-modulators in the DPMZM are driven by two low-frequency signals with a π/2 phase difference, and the dc biases of the modulator are all set at the maximum transmission points. Due to the velocity mismatch of the modulator, only the light wave along the clockwise direction is effectively modulated by the drive signals to generate an optical signal with a carrier and ±4th order sidebands, while the modulation of the light wave along the counterclockwise direction is far less effective and can be ignored. By properly adjusting the polarization of the light wave output from the Sagnac loop, the optical carrier can be significantly suppressed at a polarizer, and then an optical signal with only ±4th order sidebands is generated. In the experiment, a pure 24-GHz microwave signal without additional phase noise from the optical system is generated using a 3-GHz local oscillator signal. As no electrical or optical filter is used, the photonic frequency octupler is of good frequency tunability.