Signal enhancement by spectral equalization of high frequency broadband signals transmitted through optical fibers

A technique is discussed for enhancing the bandwidth and intensity of high frequency analog, spectrally broad signals transmitted through one kilometer of optical fiber. The existing method for bandwidth enhancement of such a signal uses a very narrow filter between the fiber and detector to limit bandwidth degradation due to material dispersion. Using this method, most of the available optical intensity is rejected and lost. This technique replaces the narrow band filter with a spectral equalizer device which uses a reflection grating to disperse the input signal spectrum and direct it onto a linear array of fibers.