Short Courses

SC160 Microwave Photonics

Monday, February 25, 1:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Keith J. Williams; NRL, USA

Level: Advanced Beginner (basic understanding of topic is necessary to follow course material)

Course Description
There has been significant progress in photonic components and technology applicable to microwave (analog) systems; several unique microwave functions have been implemented in the photonic domain. Along with or because of these technical advancements, there has been expanding acceptance of photonics for microwave systems. This updated/revised Short Course will review some of the current capabilities and limitations of photonics as divided into four areas. They are: techniques and devices for generating microwave-modulated light, techniques and devices for detection, RF transmission links (distinguished from digital transmission systems), and microwave signal processing (including time-delay beamforming, downconverting, filtering, microwave circuit control, and photonic analog-to-digital conversion). Emphasis will be placed on relating device operation to basic photonic subsystem performance and relating the photonic link and functions to comparable microwave techniques (e.g., link loss, noise figure, dynamic range and phase error). More recent technology advancements will also be incorporated.

Benefits and Learning Objectives
This course should enable you to:

• Explain limitations of photonics for microwave systems.
• Identify promising technologies for analog system improvements.
• Discuss and relate analog and digital fiber optic system differences.
• Design optical systems for microwave applications.

Intended Audience
The course attendee should have a basic understanding of lasers, photodetectors, and/or fiber optics. A bachelor’s degree in engineering or the physical sciences or an equivalent level of experience would be necessary to understand the system and design aspects of the course.

Instructor Biography
Keith J. Williams received his B.S.E.E. degree from the University of Nebraska and the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Maryland. His doctoral research was conducted on microwave p-i-n photodetector nonlinearities. He is presently the head of the Photonics Technology Branch of the Naval Research Lab, Washington, D.C., where his research interests include microwave-optical devices, microwave fiber-optic links and systems and high current photodiodes.