Reconfigurable microwave photonic transversal filter using a variable gain tilt filter

A novel and simple technique to realize reconfigurable microwave photonic transversal filter is presented. In the proposed method, a multi-wavelength source and a dispersive medium are applied to achieve multiple taps; and an electro-optic ceramic material-based variable gain tilt filter (VGTF) is utilized to control the tap weights of the filter. The VGTF is computer-controlled via a universal serial bus interface, which enables real-time reconfiguration of the filter. Filter responses with different passband bandwidth and different sidelobe suppression can be achieved. Compared with previous approaches, the given method features in less optical components involved and faster response speed. A three-tap reconfigurable filter with sub-millisecond response speed is experimentally demonstrated.