Spectrally efficient digital data transmission utilizing phase encoded mmw

Abstract

A digital data transmission device is provided comprising optical waveguide architecture, a sideband generator, a modulation controller, an optical filter, a data mapping unit, and a phase controller. The optical waveguide architecture is configured to direct an optical signal through the sideband generator and the optical filter. The sideband generator comprises an electrooptic interferometer comprising first and second waveguide arms. The modulation controller is configured to generate an electrical drive signal to drive the sideband generator at a control voltage that is substantially larger than Vπ to generate optical frequency sidebands about a carrier frequency of the optical signal. The optical filter is configured to discriminate between the optical frequency sidebands and the optical carrier frequency such that optical sidebands of interest can be directed through the optical waveguide architecture as an optical millimeter wave signal. The data mapping unit is configured to generate an encoded data signal representing a digital data input received by the data mapping unit. The phase controller is configured to alter the phase of the electrical drive signal in response to the encoded data signal generated by the data mapping unit. The sideband generator is configured such that encoded alterations in the phase of the electrical drive signal are manifested as encoded alterations in the phase of the optical millimeter wave signal, creating an encoded representation of the digital data input in the optical millimeter wave signal. Methods of transmitting digital data are also provided.