938Gb/s, 145-GHz-Bandwidth Wireless Transmission Over the Air Using Combined Electronic and Photonic-Assisted Signal Generation

We demonstrate an ultra-wide 145 GHz bandwidth wireless transmission of OFDM signals over the air spanning 5–150 GHz frequency region. This is achieved by combining the merits of high-speed electronics and microwave photonics technologies. The signals over 5–75 GHz are generated using high speed digital-to-analog converters. The high frequency mm-wave band signals, including W-band (75–110 GHz) and D-band (110–150 GHz) signals, are generated by mixing optically modulated signals with frequency-locked lasers on high-speed photodiodes. By frequency-locking two pairs of narrow linewidth lasers and refer the frequency difference to a common quartz oscillator source, we generated W-band and D-band signals with precise frequencies and significantly reduced phase noise compared to free-running laser counterpart, enabling enhanced spectral efficiency and utilization into W and D bands. The use of OFDM format and bit loading technique ensures 938 Gb/s capacity with minimal gaps between different RF and millimeter wave bands.