RF signal analysis using combined acousto-optical correlator and spectrum analyzer

摘要

Acousto-optic correlators AOC are commonly used not only for the signal correlation function obtaining but also for providing the wideband RF signal spectrum analysis. The AOC basic configuration is also known as a scheme of acousto-optic spectrum analyzer (AOSA) with time integration. The RF signal spectrim analysis using this device allows to obtain high frequency resolution but requires rather long time. We have proposed to combine the advantages of AOC and common spectrum analyzer based on single Bragg cell (also known as analyzer with space integration) to obtain higher processing productivity which requires both big processing speed and high frequency resolution. It has been shown that if the panoramic spectrum observation is performed using the mode of sequential processing of sub-bands, so the frequency range of about 1...2 GHz can be processed with frequency resolving power of 10...100 Hz. The experimental realization of AOSA and AOC application for the purpose of radio air panoramic observation have been presented. The acousto-optic units have been created using Bragg cells based on tellurium dioxide single crystals with piezoelectric transducers based on the plates of lithium niobate. Different operation modes have been considered from the point of view of maximum information productivity.