Integrated Multi-Format Microwave Signal Generator Using Thin-Film Lithium Niobite Mach–Zehnder Modulator

Thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) is emerging as a promising platform for applications in optical communications, microwave photonics (MWP), and quantum technologies, offering distinct performance and scalability advantages over traditional bulk lithium niobate platforms. In this work, we propose and demonstrate a photonic-assisted multi-format microwave signal generator based on an on-chip TFLN Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM). By simply adjusting the coding signal and modulation index of the modulator, the generator can be reconfigured to produce a variety of microwave signals, including square wave at 5 GHz, triangular wave at 4 GHz, amplitude shift keying (ASK) signals at 4 Gb/s-8 GHz, phase shift keying (PSK) signals at 4 Gb/s-8 GHz, and dual-chirp signals at 8 ± 0.5 GHz. Furthermore, it enables flexible switching between different carrier frequencies and coding rates, with a bandwidth exceeding 50 GHz. The on-chip TFLN MZM ensures a compact design with no need for additional optical processing, featuring a wide frequency range, low power consumption, and ease of operation, making it highly suitable for applications in optical communications, radar, and electronic warfare.