Remote millimeter-wave antenna fiber optic communication system using dual optical signal with millimeter-wave beat frequency

A receiving system comprising:

• (A) a dual optical signal generator producing a first optical signal and a second optical signal respectively, wherein said first optical signal is offset in frequency from said second optical signal by a difference frequency, and a coupler for combining said first and second optical signals to produce a combined output signal;
• (B) a remote antenna station comprising,
• (1) an antenna for receiving a carrier signal containing modulation comprising a baseband signal,
• (2) an external modulator for modulating, in accordance with a baseband signal, said combined output signal;
• (C) a first optical fiber having one end coupled to said combined output signal;
• and
• (D) a receiver station comprising,
• (1) a photodetector coupled to another end of said optical fiber for receiving said combined output signal and converting said combined output signal to an electrical signal.

A transmission system comprising:

• (A) a transmitter station comprising,
• (1) a dual optical signal generator producing a first optical signal and a second optical signal respectively, wherein said first optical signal is offset in frequency from said second optical signal by a difference frequency,
• (2) a coupler for receiving said first and second optical signals and combining said first and second optical signals to produce a combined output signal, wherein both of said first optical signal and said second optical signal are unmodulated by a baseband signal before said coupler combines said first and second optical signals;
• (3) an external modulator for modulating, in accordance with a baseband signal, said combined output signal;
• (B) an optical fiber having one end coupled to said combined output signal;
• and
• (C) a remote antenna station comprising,
• (1) a photodetector coupled to another end of said optical fiber for converting said combined output signal to an electrical signal, and
• (2) an antenna coupled to said electrical signal.