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.