A True-Time-Delay Array Architecture for Wideband Multi-Beam Tracking

The true-time delay(TTD)units are critical for solving beam squint and frequency selective fading inWideband Large-Scale Antenna Systems(LSASs).In this work,we propose a TTD array architecture for wideband multi-beam tracking that eliminates the beam squint phenomenon and filters out interference signals by applying a spatial filter and time delay estimations(TDEs).The paper presents a novel approach to spatial filter design by introducing a transformation matrix that can optimize the beam response in a specific direction and at a specific frequency.Using the variable fractional delay(VFD)filters,we propose a TDE algorithm with a Newton-Raphson iteration update process that corrects the arrival time delay difference between sensors.Simulations and examples have demonstrated that the proposed architecture can achieve beam tracking within 10 ms at the low signalto-noise ratio(SNR)and demodulation loss is less than 0.5 dB in wideband multi-beam scenarios.

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.

基于MEMS开关的可调实时延时器设计

为了有效解决相控阵雷达/天线瞬时带宽小、孔径效应严重、功耗大等问题,将射频MEMS开关引入实时可调延时器结构中,设计了一种基于射频MEMS开关的实时可调延时器。通过MEMS双掷开关选择具有不同电长度的延时路径,在DC~20 GHz内实现了5位的射频信号延时。利用HFSS三维电磁仿真软件对延时单元的几何参数进行仿真优化,得到5个可切换延时状态的延时量,分别为64.76 ps,101.46 ps,137.97 ps,174.61 ps,210.98 ps,延时步进为36.5 ps,整体面积约为5 mm^(2)。与其他实时可调延时器相比,该实时可调延时器具有多可控位数、大延时带宽积、高集成度等优点。

Optical true time-delay for two-dimensional phased array antennas using compact fiber grating prism

A two-dimensional(2D) optical true-time delay(TTD) beam-forming system using a compact fiber grating prism(FGP) for a planar phased array antenna(PAA) is proposed. The optical beam-forming system mainly consists of a TTD unit based on the same compact FGP, one tunable laser for elevation beam steering, and a controlled wavelength converter for azimuth beam steering. A planar PAA using such 2D optical TTD unit has advantages such as compactness, low bandwidth requirement for tunable laser sources, and potential for large-scale system implementations. The proof-of-concept experiment results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed scheme.

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.

A high-speed true random number generator based on Ag/SiNx/n-Si memristor

The intrinsic variability of memristor switching behavior can be used as a natural source of randomness,this variability is valuable for safe applications in hardware,such as the true random number generator(TRNG).However,the speed of TRNG is still be further improved.Here,we propose a reliable Ag/SiNx/n-Si volatile memristor,which exhibits a typical threshold switching device with stable repeat ability and fast switching speed.This volatile-memristor-based TRNG is combined with nonlinear feedback shift register(NFSR)to form a new type of high-speed dual output TRNG.Interestingly,the bit generation rate reaches a high speed of 112 kb/s.In addition,this new TRNG passed all 15 National Institute of Standards and Technology(NIST)randomness tests without post-processing steps,proving its performance as a hardware security application.This work shows that the SiNx-based volatile memristor can realize TRNG and has great potential in hardware network security.

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.

相控阵雷达与光控相控阵雷达

对在国际军备竞争中占据了重要地位的雷达作了全面的概述。针对传统机械扫描雷达扫描速度缓慢、精度低、可靠性不高等缺点引出了当今研究热点相控阵雷达,阐述了其工作原理及优缺点,并指出随着现代国际形势的发展传统相控阵雷达所暴露出的无法适应宽带宽需求的缺陷。在此情况下光控相控阵雷达应运而生,描述了光控相控阵雷达中的关键技术—光学真延时技术的原理,归纳了光学真延时技术的各种实现方案,并简述了国际上光控相控阵雷达的发展历程。

子阵级应用延迟线对相控阵天线带宽改善的分析

采用频率无关移相器的相控阵天线的波束指向会随频率发生变化,实时延迟线是提高宽带相控阵天线指向精度的重要方法。分析了平面相控阵天线波束指向随频率改变而产生漂移的现象,理论分析和仿真结果均表明,当频率改变时,平面相控阵天线的波束指向仅在俯仰角面发生漂移,而在方位角的指向不变。详细讨论采用子阵分割技术,并在子阵级别用实时延迟线,单元内采用移相器的混合波束控制技术。结果表明,这种方法可以有效扩展相控阵天线的带宽。

基于最优宽带性能的相控阵设计研究

针对现阶段对具有宽带信号接收能力相控阵的需求,提出了一种最优宽带性能的阵列设计方法。首先总结出均匀型子阵系统子阵数与阵列宽带特性之间的规律,然后在充分考虑子阵数、延时器及移相器量化精度、旁瓣电平及主瓣偏移和工程实用性的条件下,对粒子群算法(particle swarm optimization,PSO)进行改进并将其应用于阵列不均匀划分的优化中,得到了一种最优宽带性能的子阵划分方式。仿真验证表明,与均匀划分阵列相比,相控阵采用优化后的子阵划分方式并结合子阵级实时延时器技术,可以有效提高阵列瞬时工作带宽。最后总结文章方法和均匀型子阵系统实现阵列宽带扫描方法的优缺点。

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。

宽带相控阵天线延迟线分析

采用频率无关移相器的相控阵天线的波束指向会随频率发生变化,实时延迟线是提高宽带相控阵天线波束指向精度的重要方法。分析了子阵级采用延迟线,单元级使用移相器的宽带相控阵天线副瓣特性,发现当工作频率改变时,由于阵列存在周期相位误差导致天线副瓣电平抬高。针对此问题,提出单元级精细延迟线方案,消除周期相位误差对天线副瓣的影响。仿真结果表明,这种方法在扩展相控阵天线带宽的同时,明显改善了天线的副瓣特性。

超宽带延时幅相控制多功能芯片的设计

针对航空航天和卫星通信等设备的需求,介绍了一款超宽带延时幅相控制多功能芯片。该芯片集成了数字和微波电路,有T/R开关、5位数控延时器（10 ps步进TTD）、5位数控衰减器（1 d B步进ATT）、2个行波放大器、均衡器及数字电路。基于GaAs E/D PHEMT工艺研制出了芯片实物,芯片尺寸为4.5 mm×5.0 mm×0.07 mm。采用微波在片测试系统对该幅相控制多功能芯片进行了实际测试,在3~17 GHz频段内实现了10~310 ps延时范围,1~31 d B衰减范围。测试结果显示,发射/接收增益大于2 d B,发射1 d B压缩输出功率P1 d B_Tx大于12 d Bm,接收1 d B压缩输出功率P1 d B_Rx大于10 d Bm,全态输入输出驻波均小于1.7,＋5 V下工作电流130 m A,-5 V下工作电流12 m A。衰减器全态RMS精度小于1.4 d B,全态附加调相小于±8°。延时器全态RMS精度小于3 ps,全态附加调幅小于±1d B。

Integrated contra‑directionally coupled chirped Bragg grating waveguide with a linear group delay spectrum

Due to the advantages of low propagation loss,wide operation bandwidth,continuous delay tuning,fast tuning speed,and compact footprints,chirped Bragg grating waveguide has great application potential in wideband phased array beamforming systems.However,the disadvantage of large group delay error hinders their practical applications.The nonlinear group delay spectrum is one of the main factors causing large group delay errors.To solve this problem,waveguides with nonlinear gradient widths are adopted in this study to compensate for the nonlinear efect of the grating apodization on the mode efective index.As a result,a linear group delay spectrum is obtained in the experiment,and the group delay error is halved.