Optical encoder devices and systems

A photonic filtered sampler, comprising:

• a spectral shaper configured to receive an optical pulse train;
• a dispersive element positioned to receive an output of the spectral shaper and to expand spectral contents thereof in time;
• and
• a modulator configured to receive an output of the dispersive element and a radio frequency (RF) signal, and to produce a modulated output optical signal in accordance with the RF signal, wherein one or more characteristics of the modulated output optical signal is determined based on a spectral shape provided by the spectral shaper and dispersive properties of the dispersive element, and wherein the photonic filtered sampler is configured as part of a filtered photonic encoder comprising:
• an optical multiplexer configured to receive the modulated output optical signal from the modulator and an optical probe signal,
• a non-linear optical medium positioned to receive an output of the optical multiplexer, and
• an optical demultiplexer configured to receive an output of the non-linear optical medium and to produce a phase-modulated probe signal.

A photonic filtered sampler, comprising:

• a delay line interferometer configured to receive an optical pulse train;
• a dispersive element positioned to receive an output of the delay line interferometer and to expand spectral contents thereof in time;
• and
• a modulator configured to receive an output of the dispersive element and a radio frequency (RF) signal, and to produce a modulated output optical signal in accordance with the RF signal, wherein one or more characteristics of the modulated output optical signal is determined based on an amount of delay provided by the delay line interferometer, and wherein the photonic filtered sampler is configured as part of a filtered photonic encoder comprising:
• an optical multiplexer configured to receive the modulated output optical signal from the modulator and an optical probe signal,
• a non-linear optical medium positioned to receive an output of the optical multiplexer, and
• an optical demultiplexer configured to receive an output of the non-linear optical medium and to produce a phase-modulated probe signal.