title: Photonically-enabled RF front-end for wideband flexible down-conversion.
abstract: We demonstrate a flexible RF photonics down-converter that enables spectral folding of a 2-18 GHz RF band into a common 2 GHz wide intermediate frequency (IF) band for identification of specific signals of interest. The system can then be reconfigured for selective down-conversion of a given sub-band to a common IF output. We present an analysis of the performance of the down-converter and experimentally demonstrate both the spectral folding and selective modes. A sensitivity of -42 dBm in an IF bandwidth of 2 GHz and a spurious free dynamic range of 103 dB.Hz2/3is achieved in the spectral folding mode.
authors.forename: Anjali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Agarwal
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Dailey
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Toliver
authors.forename: Thomas C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Banwell