Photonic generation of multi-format chirped signals with a high switching rate

A novel photonic method for multi-format chirped signal generation with a high switching rate based on a dual-polarization binary phase shift keying (DP-BPSK) modulator is proposed and demonstrated. An up-chirp signal and a binary code signal are used to drive one of the sub-dual-drive Mach–Zehnder modulators (sub-DDMZMs) integrated in the DP-BPSK modulator. Another integrated sub-DDMZM is driven by a down-chirp signal and another binary code signal. By carefully tuning the DC biases of the DP-BPSK modulator, the format of the output chirped signal is controlled by the binary code signals. A proof-of-concept experiment is performed and multi-format chirped signals with a high switching rate are generated. Due to the high switching rate, simple structure, and high adjustability, the proposed multi-format chirped signal generator may find potential applications in multifunctional radar systems, wireless communication systems, and dual-function radar-communication systems.