IQ Modulator

The fully integrated optical frontend that converts differential electrical RF signals into Dual Polarization IQ-modulated optical signals has been developed in cooperation with ID Photonics in Munich, Germany and supports research for Multi Terabit capacity systems. ID Photonics is a manufacturer of next generation test and measurement instruments for coherent transmission solutions. 

The new IQ Modulator Optical Multi-Format Transmitter is a fully integrated optical frontend instrument that converts differential electrical RF signals into various optical modulation formats (e.g. QPSK and m-QAM) by the use of a high-bandwidth dual-polarization IQ Mach Zehnder based optical modulator and an optional high fidelity tunable laser source. This device provides excellent quality and matched channels optimized for next generation multi-level transmission formats at very high symbol rates and is an ideal match to convert signals generated by an electrical Arbitrary Waveform Generator (AWG) source into the optical domain. At a bandwidth exceeding 60GHz, this device provides high signal fidelity for research in next generation multi-level transmission formats even at high symbol rates of up to 100GBaud/s. It is suitable as reference transmitter for receiver characterization or transmitter reference setup. Furthermore, device specific calibration files enable software-based pre-distortion of the transmitted Signal. The unique RF amplitude / modulation format independent automated BIAS control allows users to apply customized RF input signals without requiring manual tweaking of parameters and guaranteeing operation at the optimal operating point. This enables long-term stable operation and automated switching between modulation formats.