Performance analysis of reconfigurable multifunctional photonic filters using triple coupled microring resonators

Abstract In this paper, we have introduced a new device architecture based on triple coupled microring resonators structure. The analytical model of the device is developed and performance analysis is carried out. The novelty of this device is that it performs as a multifunctional reconfigurable photonic filter in which multiple filtering functions such as notch, bandpass and bandstop responses are achieved by programming the coupling coefficients associated with it using thermal or electro optic tuning. Moreover, it can be used as a tuneable photonic true time delay line. As a bandpass reconfigurable filter, the maximally flat-top rectangular shape like bandpass response of 42 dB suppression ratio, and maximally flat-top bandwidth tunability of 1 GHz to 45 GHz are achieved. The notch filter response has an ultra-high rejection ratio of 148 dB. The flat bottom bandstop response has high suppression ratio of 81.5 dB within 7 GHz bandwidth. The device exhibits minimum group delay distortion over 18 GHz bandwidth, and a minimum of 8 ps and a maximum of 58 ps time delay tunability.