A structure for implementing an arrayed broadband integrated microwave photon receiving aperture

Abstract

The present invention discloses an implementation structure of an arrayed broadband integrated microwave photon receiving aperture, relating to the field of microwave photon technology, comprising: a broadband array antenna, an electro-optical hybrid transmission channel, a wavelength division and combination circuit and an amplification unit, and an array laser; the output port of the broadband array antenna is a plug-in interface; the electro-optical hybrid transmission channel is installed at the rear end of the broadband array antenna by a plug-in method; the optical fiber of the wavelength division and combination circuit and the amplification unit is connected to the output optical fiber of the electro-optical hybrid transmission channel, so that the wavelength division and combination circuit and the amplification unit are installed at the rear end of the electro-optical hybrid transmission channel; the array laser is arranged at a position with good heat dissipation conditions, and outputs a laser signal to the input optical fiber interface of the electro-optical hybrid transmission channel through an optical fiber; the present invention can realize the miniaturization and integration of the arrayed broadband integrated microwave photon receiving aperture, and at the same time solve the heat dissipation problem that is difficult to solve with traditional technologies.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of microwave photon technology, and in particular to an implementation structure of an arrayed broadband integrated microwave photon receiving aperture, which is suitable for signal reception in miniaturized broadband electronic warfare, communication, radar, measurement and control systems. Background Art

[0002] The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

[0003] In modern warfare, the importance of informationized warfare is increasing. Military electronic information systems represented by radar, electronic warfare, communications, and navigation compete with each other, so the demand for system capabilities continues to increase. Moreover, with the continuous emergence of new combat modes, the development concept of military electronic information systems continues to change. From the perspective of future informationized warfare capability requirements, arraying, broadband, and miniaturization are the development trends of the next generation of military electronic information systems.

[0004] Microwave photonics technology is an interdisciplinary field that transforms microwave signals into the optical domain, achieving signal generation, distribution, control, and processing through optical methods. Compared with traditional microwave and digital processing technologies, optical processing offers a range of advantages, including broadband, high speed, parallelism, compactness, electromagnetic compatibility, and anti-interference capabilities. These advantages of microwave photonics processing provide an important path to achieving a leapfrog improvement in the overall performance of the next generation of electronic information systems.

[0005] Existing microwave photon electronic warfare reconnaissance systems are generally composed of antenna aperture, microwave photon receiving channel, optical beam network, optoelectronic conversion and other parts. The microwave photon receiving channel is used to convert microwave signals into the optical domain for subsequent optical processing. Currently, microwave photon receiving apertures generally utilize a separate design from the array antenna, microwave channel, and electro-optical conversion unit. A power-hungry laser source and electro-optical intensity modulator (or directly modulated laser) are installed at the rear end of the array antenna in separate modules or sub-packages. Signals are interconnected between the antenna and the receiving channel via numerous electrical and optical cables. This design results in significant space waste in both the integration and connection methods, limiting the application of microwave photon receiving apertures on miniaturized platforms and resulting in reliability and environmental adaptability deficiencies. Therefore, highly integrated microwave photon receiving apertures, tightly coupled with microwave channels, electro-optical conversion units, and antenna apertures, have become an important approach to improving the performance of future military electronic information systems. However, the extremely high heat flux density of components such as the laser source restricts the miniaturization of the receiving aperture design. Furthermore, military electronic information systems are increasingly adopting large array systems to improve system sensitivity, and the expansion of array size further increases the heat dissipation pressure of the microwave photon receiving aperture. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is to address the problems existing in the prior art and provide an implementation structure of an arrayed broadband integrated microwave photon receiving aperture. The structure utilizes a miniaturized electro-optical modulator with a symmetrical design of radio frequency and optical fiber interfaces to achieve cable-free interoperability with a narrow-pitch broadband array antenna or radio frequency channel. By placing a high-heat-generating laser indoors or in other areas with good heat dissipation conditions, the difficulty of miniaturization and integration due to the high heat flux density introduced by the laser is overcome, and the volume, weight and power consumption of the electro-optical conversion unit on the antenna array are greatly reduced, thereby achieving a miniaturized and integrated design of the arrayed integrated microwave photon receiving aperture and expanding the application of microwave photon technology to miniaturized platforms such as small vehicles, airborne platforms, drones, micro-nano satellites, etc. The structure can also be used in microwave photon array receiving systems for broadband radio frequency and millimeter wave signals in the fields of measurement and control, communication, radar, electronic countermeasures, etc., thereby solving the above-mentioned problems.

[0007] The technical solutions of the present invention are as follows:

[0008] A structure for implementing an arrayed broadband integrated microwave photon receiving aperture, comprising:

[0009] A broadband array antenna, wherein the output port of the broadband array antenna is a plug-in interface;

[0010] An electro-optical hybrid transmission channel, which is installed at the rear end of the broadband array antenna by direct insertion;

[0011] A wavelength division, combination and amplification unit, wherein the optical fiber of the wavelength division, combination and amplification unit is connected to the output optical fiber of the electro-optical hybrid transmission channel, so that the wavelength division, combination and amplification unit is installed at the rear end of the electro-optical hybrid transmission channel;

[0012] The array laser is arranged at a position with good heat dissipation conditions, and outputs the laser signal to the input optical fiber interface of the electro-optical hybrid transmission channel through the optical fiber.

[0013] Furthermore, the electro-optical hybrid transmission channel includes:

[0014] RF signal receiving channel and electro-optical modulator.

[0015] Furthermore, the plug-in interface of the broadband array antenna is plugged into the input port of the radio frequency signal receiving channel by direct plugging, and the radio frequency signal receiving channel is installed at the rear end of the broadband array antenna;

[0016] An electro-optical modulator, wherein the radio frequency input port of the electro-optical modulator is connected to the output port of the radio frequency signal receiving channel by direct plugging, and the input and output optical fibers of the electro-optical modulator are arranged on opposite sides of the radio frequency input port at 180 degrees.

[0017] Furthermore, the optical fiber of the wavelength division, combination and amplification unit is connected to the output optical fiber of the electro-optical modulator, so that the wavelength division, combination and amplification unit is installed at the rear end of the electro-optical modulator;

[0018] The array laser outputs the laser signal to the input optical fiber interface of the electro-optical modulator through the optical fiber.

[0019] Furthermore, the radio frequency signal receiving channel is installed at the rear end of the broadband array antenna and fixed by fasteners.

[0020] Furthermore, the input port spacing of the radio frequency signal receiving channel is the same as the output port spacing of the broadband array antenna.

[0021] Furthermore, the location with good heat dissipation conditions includes:

[0022] A location with good heat dissipation conditions for the arrayed broadband integrated microwave photon receiving aperture or a location other than the arrayed broadband integrated microwave photon receiving aperture.

[0023] Furthermore, the electro-optical modulator is a single-channel modulator or a multi-channel integrated modulation component.

[0024] Furthermore, the electro-optical modulator is a single-channel modulator;

[0025] The RF input port is located on the left end face of the electro-optical modulator, and the input and output optical fibers are located on the right end face of the electro-optical modulator. The optical path is turned 180° inside the electro-optical modulator, and the output optical fiber pigtail or direct coupling is used for emission.

[0026] Furthermore, the electro-optical modulator is a multi-channel integrated modulation component;

[0027] The RF signal receiving channel and the electro-optical modulator are encapsulated in the same cavity, and the signals between the two are interconnected through a microstrip circuit, realizing all the functions of the RF signal receiving channel and the electro-optical modulator within one component.

[0028] Compared with the existing technology, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0029] A structure for implementing an arrayed broadband integrated microwave photon receiving aperture comprises: a broadband array antenna, the output port of which is a plug-in interface; an electro-optical hybrid transmission channel, which is installed at the rear end of the broadband array antenna by plug-in; a wavelength division / combination and amplification unit, the optical fiber of which is connected to the output optical fiber of the electro-optical hybrid transmission channel, so that the wavelength division / combination and amplification unit is installed at the rear end of the electro-optical hybrid transmission channel; and an array laser, which is arranged in a position with good heat dissipation conditions and outputs laser signals to the input optical fiber interface of the electro-optical hybrid transmission channel via optical fiber. The structure realizes ultra-wideband electromagnetic signal reception and processing, miniaturization and integration of the array aperture, and has low power consumption and low heat flux density. The structure has important significance and application value in arrayed microwave photon receiving systems in the fields of radar, electronic warfare, and communications. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 The schematic diagram shows the implementation structure of an arrayed broadband integrated microwave photon receiving aperture.

[0031] Reference numerals: 101 - broadband array antenna, 102 - radio frequency signal receiving channel, 103 - electro-optical modulator, 104 - array laser, 105 - wavelength division, combination and amplification unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] It should be noted that relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus comprising a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. In the absence of further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising a ..." does not exclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus comprising the element.

[0033] The features and performance of the present invention are further described in detail below with reference to the embodiments.

[0034] Example 1

[0035] See also Figure 1 , an implementation structure of an arrayed broadband integrated microwave photon receiving aperture, specifically including:

[0036] A broadband array antenna 101, wherein the output port of the broadband array antenna 101 is a plug-in interface; preferably, the broadband array antenna 101 is composed of a plurality of broadband unit antennas arranged at a certain interval;

[0037] An electro-optical hybrid transmission channel, which is installed at the rear end of the broadband array antenna 101 by direct insertion;

[0038] The wavelength division, combination and amplification unit 105, wherein the optical fiber of the wavelength division, combination and amplification unit 105 is connected to the output optical fiber of the electro-optical hybrid transmission channel, so that the wavelength division, combination and amplification unit 105 is installed at the rear end of the electro-optical hybrid transmission channel; preferably, the wavelength division, combination and amplification unit 105 is composed of a wavelength division multiplexer and an optical amplifier; preferably, the electro-optical hybrid transmission channel includes:

[0039] RF signal receiving channel 102 and electro-optical modulator 103; that is, the electro-optical hybrid transmission channel is composed of multiple RF signal receiving channels 102 and a corresponding number of electro-optical modulators 103;

[0040] An array laser 104 is provided at a location with good heat dissipation conditions, and outputs a laser signal to an input optical fiber interface of an electro-optical hybrid transmission channel through an optical fiber. Preferably, the array laser 104 can be a single-channel or multi-channel integrated component, and can be a single-wavelength laser power splitter, a multi-wavelength laser, a plurality of single-wavelength lasers of different wavelengths, or a plurality of lasers of the same wavelength. The location with good heat dissipation conditions includes: a location with good heat dissipation conditions of the arrayed broadband integrated microwave photon receiving aperture or a location outside the arrayed broadband integrated microwave photon receiving aperture. That is, the array laser 104 can be provided at a location with good heat dissipation conditions of the arrayed broadband integrated microwave photon receiving aperture or directly at a location outside the arrayed broadband integrated microwave photon receiving aperture, such as a location with better heat dissipation conditions inside a workstation.

[0041] Through the above structure, the miniaturization and integration of arrayed broadband integrated microwave photon receiving apertures can be achieved, while solving the heat dissipation problem that is difficult to solve with traditional technologies.

[0042] In this embodiment, specifically, the plug-in interface of the broadband array antenna 101 is inserted into the input port of the radio frequency signal receiving channel 102 by direct plugging, and the radio frequency signal receiving channel 102 is installed at the rear end of the broadband array antenna 101; it should be noted that the broadband array antenna 101 is used for microwave and millimeter wave signals in space, and the signals are output by the plug-in interface of the broadband array antenna 101; preferably, the radio frequency signal receiving channel 102 can be a single-channel or multi-channel integrated component, which can realize functions such as limiting, amplification, filtering, and digitally controlled attenuation;

[0043] The electro-optical modulator 103 has an RF input port that is directly plugged into the output port of the RF signal receiving channel 102. The input and output optical fibers of the electro-optical modulator 103 are arranged on opposite sides of the RF input port at an angle of 180°. This does not affect the direct plug-in connection between the RF signal receiving channel 102 and the electro-optical modulator 103, while facilitating the optical fiber connection to the wavelength division, combining, and amplification unit 105 at the back end of the link, thereby outputting the modulated optical signal after combining and amplification. Preferably, the electro-optical modulator 103 can be a single-channel or multi-channel integrated component that can realize the electro-optical conversion function. Taking the electro-optical modulator 103 as a single-channel modulator as an example:

[0044] The RF input port is located on the left end face of the electro-optical modulator 103. The RF input port is selected from, but not limited to, a plug-in RF interface such as SMP. The input and output optical fibers are located on the right end face of the electro-optical modulator 103. The optical path is rotated 180° inside the electro-optical modulator 103, and the output optical fibers are pigtailed or directly coupled for emission. Preferably, the connectors of the input and output optical fibers can be of any form. The low-frequency, control, and monitoring interfaces of the electro-optical modulator 103 can be designed on the side wall or right end face of the structure (on the same side as the input and output optical fibers). The electro-optical modulator 103 designed in this structure can be directly plugged into an array antenna or a RF channel, reducing the number of RF cable connections and improving the integration of the microwave photon receiving aperture.

[0045] Taking the electro-optic modulator 103 as a multi-channel integrated component as an example:

[0046] The RF signal receiving channel 102 and the electro-optical modulator 103 are encapsulated in the same cavity, and signal interconnection is achieved between the two through a microstrip circuit. All functions of the RF signal receiving channel 102 and the electro-optical modulator 103 are realized within a single component, which can further improve the integration of the optical phased array aperture.

[0047] In this embodiment, specifically, the optical fiber of the wavelength division, combination and amplification unit 105 is connected to the output optical fiber of the electro-optical modulator 103, so that the wavelength division, combination and amplification unit 105 is installed at the rear end of the electro-optical modulator 103;

[0048] The array laser 104 outputs the multi-channel laser signal to the input fiber interface of the electro-optical modulator 103 through the optical fiber.

[0049] In this embodiment, specifically, the RF signal receiving channel 102 is installed at the rear end of the broadband array antenna 101 and fixed by a fastener. It should be noted that the specific structure of the fastener in this embodiment should be known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail. The specific structure of the fastener is not limited.

[0050] In this embodiment, specifically, the input port spacing of the RF signal receiving channel 102 is the same as the output port spacing of the broadband array antenna 101 .

[0051] The above-described embodiments merely represent specific implementation methods of the present application. While the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present application. It should be noted that a person skilled in the art would be able to make numerous variations and improvements without departing from the technical concept of the present application, and all such variations and improvements fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0052] This background section is provided to generally present the context of the invention, and the work of the presently named inventors, the work to the extent described in this background section, and aspects of the description in this section that did not constitute prior art at the time of filing are neither explicitly nor implicitly admitted to be prior art to the present invention.

Claims

1. An implementation structure of an arrayed broadband integrated microwave photon receiving aperture, characterized in that: include: A broadband array antenna (101), wherein the output port of the broadband array antenna (101) is a plug-in interface; an electro-optical hybrid transmission channel, the electro-optical hybrid transmission channel being installed at the rear end of the broadband array antenna (101) by direct insertion; A wavelength division, combination and amplification unit (105), wherein the optical fiber of the wavelength division, combination and amplification unit (105) is connected to the output optical fiber of the electro-optical hybrid transmission channel, so that the wavelength division, combination and amplification unit (105) is installed at the rear end of the electro-optical hybrid transmission channel; An array laser (104), the array laser (104) being arranged at a location with good heat dissipation conditions, and outputting a laser signal to an input optical fiber interface of an electro-optical hybrid transmission channel via an optical fiber; The electro-optical hybrid transmission channel comprises: A radio frequency signal receiving channel (102) and an electro-optical modulator (103); The electro-optical modulator (103) is a multi-channel integrated modulation component; A radio frequency signal receiving channel (102) and an electro-optical modulator (103) are encapsulated in the same cavity, and signal interconnection is achieved between the two via a microstrip circuit, thereby realizing all functions of the radio frequency signal receiving channel (102) and the electro-optical modulator (103) within one component.

2. The implementation structure of an arrayed broadband integrated microwave photon receiving aperture according to claim 1, characterized in that: The direct-plug interface of the broadband array antenna (101) is inserted into the input port of the radio frequency signal receiving channel (102) by direct plugging, and the radio frequency signal receiving channel (102) is installed at the rear end of the broadband array antenna (101); An electro-optical modulator (103) is provided, wherein the radio frequency input port of the electro-optical modulator (103) is connected to the output port of the radio frequency signal receiving channel (102) by direct plugging, and the input and output optical fibers of the electro-optical modulator (103) are arranged on opposite sides of the radio frequency input port at an angle of 180 degrees.

3. The implementation structure of an arrayed broadband integrated microwave photon receiving aperture according to claim 2, characterized in that: The optical fiber of the wavelength division, combination and amplification unit (105) is connected to the output optical fiber of the electro-optical modulator (103), so that the wavelength division, combination and amplification unit (105) is installed at the rear end of the electro-optical modulator (103); The array laser (104) outputs the laser signal to the input optical fiber interface of the electro-optical modulator (103) through the optical fiber.

4. The implementation structure of an arrayed broadband integrated microwave photon receiving aperture according to claim 2, characterized in that: The radio frequency signal receiving channel (102) is installed at the rear end of the broadband array antenna (101) and fixed by a fastener.

5. The implementation structure of an arrayed broadband integrated microwave photon receiving aperture according to claim 2, characterized in that: The input port spacing of the radio frequency signal receiving channel (102) is the same as the output port spacing of the broadband array antenna (101).

6. The implementation structure of an arrayed broadband integrated microwave photon receiving aperture according to claim 1, characterized in that: Locations with good heat dissipation conditions include: A location with good heat dissipation conditions for the arrayed broadband integrated microwave photon receiving aperture or a location other than the arrayed broadband integrated microwave photon receiving aperture.

7. The implementation structure of an arrayed broadband integrated microwave photon receiving aperture according to claim 2, characterized in that: The electro-optical modulator (103) is a single-channel modulator or a multi-channel integrated modulation component.

8. The implementation structure of an arrayed broadband integrated microwave photon receiving aperture according to claim 7, characterized in that: The electro-optical modulator (103) is a single-channel modulator; The radio frequency input port is located on the left end face of the electro-optical modulator (103), the input and output optical fibers are located on the right end face of the electro-optical modulator (103), the optical path is rotated 180 degrees inside the electro-optical modulator (103), and the output optical fiber pigtail is directly coupled for emission.

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