Abstract

Oversampling analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) [1] use a low resolution comparator (typically single bit) in a negative feedback loop, so that the large error associated with a single measurement is diffused over many subsequent samples. Post-processing of the bit stream is used to recover the signal. An optical oversampled ADC has been proposed by Shoop and Goodman [2] which has the potential to exceed an electronic ADC in both speed and resolution. This scheme involves the use of self electro-optic effect devices (SEEDs) [3] to perform the functions of optical subtraction and comparison/quantisation.

© 1996 Optical Society of America