A Novel Comb Based Multi-Function Architecture for ISAC System

As a typical scenario of 6 G wireless networks, Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) has attracted great industry and academia attention due to its extensive applications in the Internet of Things (IoT), autonomous driving, low-altitude economy etc. In this article, we report an Integrated System for Measurement and Down-conversion (ISMD) based on optical frequency comb (OFC) and microwave photonic technology (MWP), which is able to down-convert and transfer radio frequency (RF) signals in both broad spectrum and high frequencies and measure the delay of optical carrier RF transmission links, simultaneously. In the proof-of-concept experiment, the link delay measurement and communication signal transmission verification experiments were realized on the prototype experimental link. With repetition frequencies of 125 MHz and 124.99 MHz, the time measurement accuracy is better than 5 ps, the coverage signal bandwidth can reach 40 GHz, and the wireless communication rate 12.5 Msps of a single carrier frequency is also verified. We anticipate that the proposed ISMD will use the construction of an integrated 6 G sensing communication network in the future as a key support for applications such as spectrum management and high precision positioning.