Method to transmit analog information by using a long distance photonic link with distributed feedback lasers biased in the low laser threshold current region.

We describe an analog microwave photonic link system, which is used to transmit in a multiplexed way a TV signal over 30 km of standard optical fiber. The experimental setup is composed mainly by two distributed feedback (DFB) laser diodes emitting at 1500 nm. When these DFB lasers are operated in the low laser threshold current region, relaxation oscillation frequencies are obtained. Relaxation oscillations in the laser intensity can be seen as sidebands on both sides of the main laser line. The optical emissions generated in each laser are combined and amplified by using an erbium-doped fiber amplifier. Next, the amplified optical signal is detected by a fast photo-detector using direct detection method, and as result of this photo-detection, microwave signals are generated. Since microwave signals obtained by using this technique are tuned continuously; we can use them as electrical carriers to transmit simultaneously a TV signal at 4 and 5 GHz and over 30 km of standard optical fiber by using a Mach-Zehnder modulator. At the end of the optical link the modulated light is photo-detected in order to recover efficiently and successfully the analog TV signal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]