Design of a phase locked loop for optical upconversion

Abstract

Silicon Photonics has become a key technology in the design of devices for the next generation of wireless communications. One of the most important challenges of 5G is the transport of microwave signals over fiber links, in what are known as Radio over Fiber systems. Optical Phase Lock Loop (OPLL) is positioning itself as one of the most relevant techniques for the generation of stable GHz signals. In this thesis, the different elements that form an OPLL are analyzed in both the optical and electrical domains. A SIMULINK model for an OPLL that reaches stable operation at frequencies between 3 and 10 GHz is obtained. Also, the suitability of a novel Semiconductor Laser structure that acts as a Phase Modulator is analyzed with three different software tools that study the modulation process form the carrier concentration to the effective index change.