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Broadband Microwave Signal Processing via Low-Frequency-Detected Photonic Correlation in Parallel Bidirectional Frequency-Shifting Loops

delete2026-05-27
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PRE
AI
D
Di Peng
Z
Zewen Zhu
J
Jingyi Zhang
S
Shuoyang Qiu
L
Lingjie Zhang
付松年 (Songnian Fu)
Y
Yuwen Qin
DOI:10.1109/jlt.2026.3697566delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
We propose and demonstrate a photonic correlator based on parallel optical bidirectional frequency-shifting loops (BFSLs) and low-frequency detection, which enables broadband microwave signal processing with an extended time window. By mapping correlation results to low-frequency spectral envelopes, the system avoids the need for high-speed electronics. Precise control of relative delays in each BFSL ensures high temporal resolution and broad operating bandwidth. Moreover, the overall time window is significantly expanded via sequentially stitching spectra from multiple BFSLs. Both numerical simulation and experimental verification based on two parallel BFSLs confirm the feasibility of the scheme. Experiments demonstrate autocorrelation of sinusoidal signals, band–limited white noise, linear frequency–modulated (LFM) signals, and fourth–order raised–cosine shaped nonlinear frequency–modulated signals, achieving a doubled time window with temporal resolution ranging from 20 ps to 1 ns. In a radar ranging scenario using LFM signals centered at 4-10 GHz and with 1.5-4 GHz bandwidth, the system achieves a ranging error of 0.88 cm, a range resolution of 0.375 cm, and a time-window extension factor of 2. The scheme offers a practical solution for high-resolution broadband correlation with an extended time window, showing great potential for advanced radar and communication systems.
Keywords:
Correlation
microwave signal processing
optical frequency-shifting loops
radar ranging

Journal

Journal of Lightwave Technology cover
Journal of Lightwave Technology
IF:
4.8
Papers:
1.7W
Citations:
3.8W

Organization

U
university of electronic science and technology of china
Scholars:
1.1W
Papers: 4.3K
Citations: 4
G
guangdong university of technology
Scholars:
2.8W
Papers: 1.9W
Citations: 36
Cited Papers

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