Photonic microwave true time delays for phased array antennas using a 49 GHz FSR integrated optical micro-comb source[Invited]

We demonstrate significantly improved performance of a microwave true time delay line based on an integrated optical frequency comb source. The broadband micro-comb(over 100 nm wide) features a record low free spectral range(FSR) of 49 GHz, resulting in an unprecedented record high channel number(81 over the C band)—the highest number of channels for an integrated comb source used for microwave signal processing. We theoretically analyze the performance of a phased array antenna and show that this large channel count results in a high angular resolution and wide beam-steering tunable range. This demonstrates the feasibility of our approach as a competitive solution toward implementing integrated photonic true time delays in radar and communications systems.

50 GHz optical true time delay beamforming in hybrid optical/mm-wave access networks with multi-core optical fiber distribution

We propose and experimentally validate an optical true time delay beamforming scheme with straightforward integration into hybrid optical/millimeter（mm）-wave access networks. In the proposed approach, the most complex functions, including the beamforming network, are implemented in a central office, reducing the complexity and cost of remote antenna units. Different cores in a multi-core fiber are used to distribute the modulated signals to high-speed photodetectors acting as heterodyne mixers. The mm-wave carrier frequency is fixed to 50 GHz（VBand）, thereby imposing a progressive delay between antenna elements of a few picoseconds. That true time delay is achieved with an accuracy lower than 1 ps and low phase noise.

Optical True Time Delay for Phased Array Antennas Composed of 2×2 Optical MEMS Switches and Fiber Delay Lines

We proposed an optical true time delay (TTD) for phased array antennas (PAAs) composed of 2×2 optical MEMS switches, single-mode fiber delay lines, and a fixed wavelength laser diode. A 3-bit TTD for 10 GHz PAAs was implemented with a time delay error less than ± 0.2 ps.

串馈型光控相控阵技术机理研究

讨论了光电子技术在宽带宽角扫描相控阵雷达中的应用和优点,简述了光控相控阵天线的工作原理和发展状况。着重分析了串馈型光控相控阵列系统发射机的系统构成和工作原理,建立了串馈型光控相控阵列系统工作在发射模式的数学模型,并进行了理想模型的计算机仿真,最后分析了串馈型光控相控阵的优势并展望了其广阔的应用前景。

基于压缩感知的光控相控阵波束形成方法

针对光控相控阵在实现宽带宽角扫描时,所需要的光真延时器数目过多问题进行研究,提出了基于压缩感知的光控相控阵方向图形成方法。首先通过公式推导详细分析了影响光控相控阵波束偏移的因素,其次给出光真延时器稀疏排布方式,在此基础上基于压缩感知理论恢复出光控相控阵的方向图。所提方法能够在大幅减少光真延时器数目的条件下实现宽带宽角扫描。最后利用仿真实验验证了所提方法的有效性。

光控相控阵雷达波束控制系统的设计

光控相控阵雷达在子阵级别上引入光纤实时延迟线OTTD(Optical True Time Delay)进行子阵级的延时补偿,减轻了传统相控阵雷达因渡越时间和孔径效应对信号瞬时带宽的限制,实现了宽带宽角扫描。光控相控阵雷达通过其波控系统控制OTTD和移相器的状态,实现波束快速、灵活扫描。在简要探讨光控相控阵雷达原理的基础上,讨论了其分布式波控系统的设计方法,同时由于在OTTD的设计中采用了新型光学器件,给出了波控系统与OTTD的接口驱动电路的设计方法。