Comparison of Microcomb-Based Radio-Frequency Photonic Transversal Signal Processors Implemented with Discrete Components Versus Integrated Chips

RF photonic transversal signal processors, which combine reconfigurable electrical digital signal processing and high-bandwidth photonic processing, provide a powerful solution for achieving adaptive high-speed information processing. Recent progress in optical microcomb technology provides compelling multi-wavelength sources with a compact footprint, yielding a variety of microcomb-based RF photonic transversal signal processors with either discrete or integrated components. Although they operate based on the same principle, the processors in these two forms exhibit distinct performances. This paper presents a comparative investigation of their performances. First, we compare the performances of state-of-the-art processors, focusing on the processing accuracy. Next, we analyze various factors that contribute to the performance differences, including the tap number and imperfect response of experimental components. Finally, we discuss the potential for future improvement. These results provide a comprehensive comparison of microcomb-based RF photonic transversal signal processors implemented using discrete and integrated components and provide insights for their future development.