Frequency measurement of microwave signals in a wide frequency range based on an optical frequency comb and channelization method

Abstract

We propose a new, to the best of our knowledge, scheme for the frequency measurement of wideband microwave signals by applying the optical frequency comb (OFC) and channelization technique. Unlike the usual method of using radio-frequency driving signals to generate an OFC, our scheme uses digital driving signals, which makes the comb spacing adjustable and the comb bandwidth wider. In the measurement process, multiple sets of beat signals can be obtained at the same time, and multiple frequency components of the microwave signals can be measured at the same time. The theoretical analysis model of the scheme is established, and the scheme is validated by VPI simulation software. The results show that the range of frequency measurement is 0 ∼ 50 G H z , and it can be further expanded by extending the width of the OFC.