True Time Delay Optically Controlled Dual Band Transmitter

摘要

The main principal of this microwave multiband phased array antenna is the use ofoptically controlled photonic delay line for beam forming and steering. This system is suitable for spaceborne and airborne phased array applications. It also has a potential to perform frequency hopping of transmitting signals since it is a dual band transmitter (L and X-band) and the dual band system is controlled by one set of frequency independent delay lines. The L-band (1 to 2.6 GHz) array and the X-band (8 to 12 GHz) array, each has the same physical length. Each is split into four subarrays and use a common time delay generator for each subarray on both bands. True time delay with wideband radiating elements permits large transmit and receive frequency excursions without beam wander (beam squint) as the frequency is changed, and also permits the use of wideband waveforms. The advantage also extends to both communications and surveillance applications where the beam wanders off target could occur without the use of the optically controlled true time delay beam forming and steering.... Optical control, Phased array antenna, Microwave optics, Photonics.