Monolithically integrated heterodyne receivers based on InP

Future OFDM communication systems demand the availability of high performance and low cost OEICs. The achievement of a completely integrated polarization diversity heterodyne receiver makes the heterodyne technology favoured for high capacity OFDM-systems in terms of performance to cost. Milestones towards this monolithically integrated coherent receiver are reviewed and features of the first polarization diversity heterodyne receiver OEIC are reported.