Two-tone signal generation using a dual-parallel Mach-Zehnder modulator for third-order harmonics suppression

Abstract

We propose a novel two-tone signal generation method using a dual-parallel Mach-Zehnder modulator (DP-MZM). One MZM in the DP-MZM is used to generate a basic two-tone signal with high-order harmonics, which cause waveform distortion. The other MZM is used to compensate third-order harmonics, which are the most dominant cause of distortion. The proposed method was investigated by numerical simulation and experiment. In the experimental demonstration, suppression of the third-order harmonics component was improved by 20 dB.