A comparative study of dual-tone MWP links based on dual-drive MZM and DPMZM for tackling 3IMDs profile

Abstract This paper presents an overlook of different linearization schemes for generating linearized photonic signals of two different microwave photonic links based on dual-drive dual electrode Mach–Zehnder modulator (DE-MZM) and dual parallel MZM (DP-MZM). Linearization techniques used for respective links is mixed polarization and bias stabilization along with phase shifters. In this paper, problem of third order intermodulation distortion (3IMDs) products is taken into account which can deteriorate performance of the link profoundly. 41 dB improvements in suppression of 3IMDs are reported by launching appropriate values of polarization angles in DE-MZM link when compared to conventional non-linearized single MZM link. Also, suppression of 68 dB in powers of 3IMDs is reported for dual parallel configuration of same optical modulator by adjusting values of phase shifters and bias optimization of sub modulators.