Multi-Wavelength Variable Drive-Voltage Modulator for use in High Dynamic Range Photonic Links

A novel technique for linearizing photonic links employing Mach-Zehnder modulators is presented. A truncated Fourier series representation of a linear transfer function is used to determine the modulator drive voltages V-a and the optical power levels to be applied to a dual parallel modulator configuration. Simulation results are used to compare the dynamic range performance of the dual modulator configuration with a standard single modulator photonic link. The dual modulator configuration shows that improvements in compressive and spurious-free dynamic range can be achieved over the single modulator configuration, and that it is possible to further optimize the parameters to yield a significant improvement in spurious-free dynamic range without degrading the 1dB compression point or the compressive dynamic range.