An Extended Duration Arbitrary Waveform Generation with Large Time Bandwidth Product

Arbitrary waveforms are important for advanced coherent communication systems envisioned for several potential military uses. Such systems require waveforms from high frequency bandwidth sources, where the amplitude and phase of each of the frequency components are independently controllable. Example systems include advanced radar, advanced LIDAR, frequency agile optical fiber communication, and quantum communications. Although many uses with arbitrary waveform generators are envisioned, they have not been realized due to practical issues in implementation. For coherent communications, the key parameters of interest are 1) large bandwidth, 2) long time durations and 3) large waveform complexity or time bandwidth product (TBP). Current techniques with THz bandwidths have only demonstrated a TBP of few hundred, while over 10,000 is necessary for practical use. Luna Innovations proposes to develop a novel pulse shaping scheme and pulse extender that allow highly efficient arbitrary waveform generation with a microsecond long pulse width and waveform complexities in excess of several tens of thousands. The novel waveform generator will be designed to address >10,000 spectral features in a compact and efficient implementation.