Photonic-assisted signal processing of high-bandwidth signals emerges as a solution for challenges encountered in electronic-based processing. Here we present a concept for a compact, photonic-assisted digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and optical IQ-modulator in one single integrated device based on two innovative concepts: a segmented Mach–Zehnder modulator and orthogonal sampling. For electrically driving the modulator, only a single radio frequency oscillator and no pulse source or electrical DAC are required. The presented and simulated proof-of-concept device with six segments can generate a multi-level and high-bandwidth signal from low-bandwidth electronic drivers; e.g., we show the generation of a 120 Gbps data rate, 16-quadrature amplitude modulation (16-QAM, 30 Gbaud) signal solely based on low-bandwidth (5 GHz) non-return-to-zero (NRZ) signals. Integrated on a silicon photonic platform, the device provides fixable speed and bandwidth operations, positioning it as a viable solution for diverse communication systems.

中文翻译：

---

用于正交采样和多级高带宽信号生成的集成分段 IQ 调制器

高带宽信号的光子辅助信号处理作为解决电子处理中遇到的挑战的解决方案而出现。在这里，我们提出了一种在单个集成器件中集成紧凑型光子辅助数模转换器 (DAC) 和光学 IQ 调制器的概念，该概念基于两个创新概念：分段马赫-曾德尔调制器和正交采样。对于电驱动调制器，仅需要单个射频振荡器，不需要脉冲源或电 DAC。所提出的模拟概念验证设备具有六个部分，可以从低带宽电子驱动器生成多级高带宽信号；例如，我们展示了仅基于低带宽 (5 GHz) 不归零 (NRZ) 信号生成 120 Gbps 数据速率、16 正交幅度调制（16-QAM、30 Gbaud）信号。该器件集成在硅光子平台上，提供可固定的速度和带宽操作，使其成为多种通信系统的可行解决方案。