Fig. 1. (a) Schematic of the frequency-switch generation system using the proposed photonic method. (b) A frequency-domain illustration of the system working principle. (c) A time-domain illustration of the signal waveforms.

Fig. 2. (a) The schematic and (b) photomicrograph of the silicon modulator. (S, signal; G, ground.)

Fig. 3. (a) Electro-optical bandwidth measurements of the TW-Si-mod (with a bias of 0 V). (b) Measured power transmissions of the TW-Si-mod for different bias voltages.

Fig. 4. Experimental setup of the proposed millimeter (mm)-wave frequency-switch system. (ECL, external cavity laser; PC, polarization controller; PPG, pulse pattern generator; EDFA, erbium-doped fiber amplifier; WSS, waveshaper; PD, photodiode.)

Fig. 5. Power transmissions before TW-Si-mod, after TW-Si-mod with control signal on and off, (a)–(c) when both external MZMs are biased at quadrature transmission point, (d)–(f) when both external MZMs are biased at minimum transmission point. (RF seed frequencies are 20 GHz and 15 GHz.)

Fig. 6. Waveform measurements of generated RF signals without chip: (a) and (b) with DSB-FC modulation; (c) and (d) with DSB-SC modulation. (RF seed frequencies are 20 GHz and 15 GHz.)

Fig. 7. Waveform measurements of generated RF signals modulated by a square wave signal: (a)–(c) with DSB-FC modulation; (d)–(f) with DSB-SC modulation. (RF seed frequencies are 20 GHz and 15 GHz.)