High-speed high-resolution optically assisted analog-to-digital conversion

The realization of a high-speed, high-resolution Analog-to-Digital Converted (ADC) is presented. The approach modifies an analog fiber optic link with a recirculating optical loop as a means to store a time-limited microwave signal so that it may be digitized by using a slower, conventional electronic ADC. Detailed analytical analysis of the dynamic range and noise figure shows that under appropriate conditions the microwave signal degradation is sufficiently small so as to allow the digitization of a multi-gigahertz signal with a resolution greater than 10 effective bits. Preliminary experimental results are presented to support the theory.

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