Optical transmission using PSK-modulated subcarriers at frequencies to 16 GHz

The use of a 1.3 μm InGaAsP constricted mesa laser to transmit microwave subcarriers at frequencies from 3 GHz to 16 GHz is described. The subcarriers are phase-modulated at 2 Gbit/s and the error rate is measured for transmission over 34 km. The effect of laser intensity noise on the system transmission is described.