Optical communications with a Geiger mode APD array

In this thesis, I evaluated the theoretical and practical performance of a Geiger mode avalanche photodiode (GM-APD, or Geiger mode APD) array for use in optical communications systems. I designed and implemented a test pattern generator, capable of producing waveforms with OOK and PPM modulations at a variety of symbol rates and duty cycles. Using this pattern generator, I tested the receiver properties over a wide range of data rates and illumination levels, and was able to demonstrate the capability for error-free communications in both modulation formats, up to 78.8 Mbps at a sensitivity of 1.8 photons per bit for OOK, and 34.9 Mbps at 2 photons per bit for PPM.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2016

Author dc:creator

• Horkley, Benjamin William

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Timothy M. Yarnall and Robert T. Morris.

• Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/106009

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/106009