The research and development results achieved in Eastern Europe in the field of lightwave‐microwave combined technology are reported. Optical control of FETs, amplifiers, and oscillators; microwave modulation of lasers; lightwave‐microwave phase detection, conversion, and synchronization; and optical control of phase‐locked oscillators are surveyed. Application possibilities in beam forming of phased arrays, multichannel TV transmission and personal communications networks are reviewed. © 1993 John Wiley & sons, Inc.