Receiving and transmitting shared light-operated beam forming device and receiving and transmitting shared light-operated beam forming method

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention discloses a transmitting and receiving shared light-operated beam forming device and a transmitting and receiving shared light-operated beam forming method. Comprising the steps that a multi-wavelength laser outputs a first optical signal to M delay transceiving common units; the radio frequency transmitter outputs a first electric signal to the M delay transmit-receive sharing units; m delay transmit-receive sharing units respectively modulate, delay and demodulate the first optical signal and the first electric signal to obtain M second electric signals, and output the M second electric signals to M antenna units for transmission; or the multi-wavelength laser outputs the first optical signal to the M delay transmit-receive sharing units; and the M antenna units receive the M third electric signals and send the M third electric signals to the M delay transmit-receive sharing units, and the M delay transmit-receive sharing units modulate, delay and demodulate the first optical signals and the third electric signals to obtain M fourth electric signals and output the M fourth electric signals to the M antenna rear-end processing modules for processing. The problem that the beam pointing direction of a traditional electric control phased array deflects under the large instantaneous bandwidth working condition is solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of phased array radars. More specifically, it relates to a transceiver-shared optical beamforming device and method. Background Art

[0002] In engineering, antennas usually have both transmitting and receiving functions. Future battlefield equipment is also required to have a trend of multi-functional integration, integrating functions such as electronic reconnaissance, interference, radar detection, anti-interference, broadband communication, imaging, etc. into an integrated system. As the most front-end sensor of the system, instantaneous ultra-wideband, wide-angle scanning, and multi-beam large airspace coverage have become urgent requirements.

[0003] Under the working condition of large instantaneous bandwidth, when using a phase shifter for beam scanning in a traditional phased array antenna, the phenomenon of beam pointing deviation will occur. While adopting the technology based on microwave photon true time delay, accurate beam pointing under large instantaneous bandwidth can be achieved, and at the same time, it has advantages such as small volume, light weight, and anti-electromagnetic interference, and has broad application prospects in fields such as ultra-wideband radars and electronic countermeasures.

[0004] Currently, the proposed optical beamforming network devices usually only apply to the transmitting end or the receiving end of the antenna; the delay channel parameters are determined by the antenna element spacing and frequency band, and are usually customized beamforming network products for a single antenna array surface. In addition, during the expansion of transceiver sharing and multi-beams, problems such as complex structure and a large increase in the number of components often occur. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a transceiver-shared optical beamforming device and method to solve at least one of the problems existing in the prior art.

[0006] To achieve the above purpose, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] The first aspect of the present invention provides a transceiver-shared optical beamforming device, including M antenna elements, a multi-wavelength laser, a radio frequency transmitter, and M delay transceiver-shared units, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1;

[0008] The multi-wavelength laser outputs a first optical signal to the M delay transceiver-shared units; the radio frequency transmitter outputs a first electrical signal to the M delay transceiver-shared units; the M delay transceiver-shared units respectively perform modulation, delay, and demodulation processing on the first optical signal and the first electrical signal to obtain M second electrical signals, and output the M second electrical signals to the M antenna elements for transmission;

[0009] Or the multi-wavelength laser outputs a first optical signal to the M delay transceiver common units; the M antenna units receive M third electrical signals and send them to the M delay transceiver common units, and the M delay transceiver common units respectively modulate, delay, and demodulate the first optical signal and the third electrical signals to obtain M fourth electrical signals, and output the M fourth electrical signals to M antenna backend processing modules for processing.

[0010] Optionally, the output end of the multi-wavelength laser is connected to the first input end of the M delay transceiver common units;

[0011] The output end of the radio frequency transmitter is connected to the second input end of the M delay transceiver common units;

[0012] The M antenna units are respectively connected to the transceiver common ends of the M delay transceiver common units.

[0013] Optionally, the multi-wavelength laser outputs a first optical signal with a single wavelength.

[0014] Optionally, the multi-wavelength laser outputs a first optical signal with multiple wavelengths.

[0015] Optionally, the device further includes a radio frequency power splitter, an optical amplifier, and an optical power splitter. The radio frequency power splitter includes 1 input end and M output ends, and the optical power splitter includes 1 input end and M output ends;

[0016] The radio frequency power splitter receives the first electrical signal and divides the first electrical signal into M first electrical signals and outputs them to the M delay transceiver common units respectively;

[0017] The optical amplifier receives the first optical signal and amplifies it, and outputs the amplified first optical signal to the optical power splitter;

[0018] The optical power splitter divides the amplified first optical signal into M amplified first optical signals, and outputs the M amplified first optical signals to the M delay transceiver common units respectively.

[0019] Optionally, the delay transceiver common unit includes an electro-optic modulator, an optical delay channel, a photodetector, a first electrical switch, a second electrical switch, a circulator, and a radio frequency amplifier;

[0020] The second switch receives the first electrical signal and outputs the first electrical signal to the radio frequency amplifier;

[0021] The radio frequency amplifier amplifies the first electrical signal to obtain a fifth electrical signal, and sends the fifth electrical signal to the electro-optic modulator;

[0022] The electro-optic modulator modulates the first optical signal and the fifth electrical signal to obtain a second optical signal, and outputs the second optical signal to the optical delay channel;

[0023] The optical delay channel performs delay compensation on the second optical signal to obtain a third optical signal, and outputs the third optical signal to the photodetector;

[0024] The photodetector demodulates the third optical signal to obtain a second electrical signal, and outputs the second electrical signal to the first electrical switch;

[0025] The first electrical switch outputs the second electrical signal to the circulator;

[0026] The circulator outputs the second electrical signal to the antenna unit;

[0027] The antenna unit transmits the electrical signal.

[0028] Optionally, the output end of the RF power splitter is connected to the first input end of the second electrical switch;

[0029] The first input end of the second electrical switch is connected to the output end of the second electrical switch;

[0030] The output end of the second electrical switch is connected to the input end of the RF amplifier;

[0031] The output end of the RF amplifier is connected to the first input end of the electro-optic modulator;

[0032] The output end of the multi-wavelength laser is connected to the input end of the optical amplifier;

[0033] The output end of the optical amplifier is connected to the input end of the optical power splitter;

[0034] The output end of the optical power splitter is connected to the second input end of the electro-optic modulator;

[0035] The output end of the electro-optic modulator is connected to the input end of the optical delay channel;

[0036] The output end of the optical delay channel is connected to the input end of the photodetector;

[0037] The output end of the photodetector is connected to the first input end of the first electrical switch;

[0038] The first input end of the first electrical switch is connected to the first output end of the first electrical switch;

[0039] The first output end of the first electrical switch is connected to the input end of the circulator;

[0040] The common port of the circulator is connected to the input port of the antenna unit.

[0041] Optionally, the delay transceiver shared unit includes an electro-optic modulator, an optical delay channel, a photodetector, a first electrical switch, a second electrical switch, a circulator, and a radio frequency amplifier;

[0042] The circulator receives the third electrical signal transmitted by the antenna unit and outputs it to the second switch;

[0043] The second switch receives the third electrical signal and outputs the third electrical signal to the radio frequency amplifier;

[0044] The radio frequency amplifier amplifies the third electrical signal to obtain a sixth electrical signal and sends the sixth electrical signal to the electro-optic modulator;

[0045] The electro-optic modulator modulates the first optical signal and the sixth electrical signal to obtain a fourth optical signal and outputs the fourth optical signal to the optical delay channel;

[0046] The optical delay channel performs delay compensation on the fourth optical signal to obtain a fifth optical signal and outputs the fifth optical signal to the photodetector;

[0047] The photodetector demodulates the fifth optical signal to obtain a fourth electrical signal and outputs the fourth electrical signal to the first electrical switch;

[0048] The first electrical switch outputs the fourth electrical signal to the antenna back-end processing module for processing.

[0049] Optionally, the output port of the antenna unit is connected to the common port of the circulator;

[0050] The output port of the circulator is connected to the second input port of the second electrical switch;

[0051] The second input port of the second electrical switch is connected to the output port of the second electrical switch;

[0052] The output port of the second electrical switch is connected to the input port of the radio frequency amplifier;

[0053] The output port of the radio frequency amplifier is connected to the first input port of the electro-optic modulator;

[0054] The output port of the multi-wavelength laser is connected to the input port of the optical amplifier;

[0055] The output port of the optical amplifier is connected to the input port of the optical power splitter;

[0056] The output end of the optical power splitter is connected to the second input end of the electro-optic modulator;

[0057] The output end of the electro-optic modulator is connected to the input end of the optical delay channel;

[0058] The output end of the optical delay channel is connected to the input end of the photodetector;

[0059] The output end of the photodetector is connected to the first input end of the first electrical switch;

[0060] The first input end of the first electrical switch is connected to the second output end of the first electrical switch;

[0061] The second output end of the first electrical switch is connected to the antenna back-end processing module.

[0062] A second aspect of the present invention provides a light-controlled beamforming method for transceiver sharing, including providing M antenna units, a multi-wavelength laser, a radio frequency transmitter, and M delay transceiver sharing units, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1;

[0063] Outputting a first optical signal from the multi-wavelength laser to the M delay transceiver sharing units; outputting a first electrical signal from the radio frequency transmitter to the M delay transceiver sharing units; using the M delay transceiver sharing units to respectively perform modulation, delay, and demodulation processing on the first optical signal and the first electrical signal to obtain M second electrical signals, and outputting the M second electrical signals to the M antenna units for transmission;

[0064] Or outputting a first optical signal from the multi-wavelength laser to the M delay transceiver sharing units; receiving M third electrical signals by the M antenna units and sending them to the M delay transceiver sharing units, using the M delay transceiver sharing units to respectively perform modulation, delay, and demodulation processing on the first optical signal and the third electrical signal to obtain M fourth electrical signals, and outputting the M fourth electrical signals to the antenna back-end processing module for processing.

[0065] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0066] The technical solution of the present invention solves the problem of beam pointing skew of traditional electronically controlled phased arrays under large instantaneous bandwidth working conditions; effectively solves the problems that it is difficult to achieve simultaneous multi-beam, transceiver sharing, and complex network structures in current technologies; realizes the transceiver sharing of optoelectronic devices, greatly simplifies the structure of the optical network, and reduces costs; can flexibly realize the regulation of the number of simultaneous multi-beams and the transformation of beam pointing; the introduction of the wavelength division multiplexing scheme simplifies the complexity of the multi-beam forming network; realizes the simultaneous multi-beam scanning of the phased array antenna, has the ability of beam pointing without skew, transceiver sharing, and frequency band transplantation under large instantaneous bandwidth. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0067] The following further describes in detail the specific embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

[0068] Figure 1 Fig. shows a schematic structural diagram of a transmit - receive shared optical - controlled beamforming device provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0069] Figure 2 Fig. shows a schematic structural diagram of an optical delay channel in a transmit - receive shared optical - controlled beamforming device provided by an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0070] To more clearly illustrate the present invention, the following further describes the present invention with reference to embodiments and drawings. Similar components in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals. Those skilled in the art should understand that the content specifically described below is illustrative rather than restrictive, and should not be used to limit the protection scope of the present invention.

[0071] The optical - controlled beamforming network devices proposed currently are usually only applicable to the transmitting end or the receiving end of an antenna; the delay channel parameters are determined by the antenna element spacing and frequency band, and are usually customized beamforming network products for a single antenna array. In addition, during the process of expanding transmit - receive sharing and multi - beam, problems such as complex structure and a large increase in the number of components often occur.

[0072] In view of this, an embodiment of the present invention provides a transmit - receive shared optical - controlled beamforming device, including M antenna elements, a multi - wavelength laser, a radio - frequency transmitter, and M delay transmit - receive shared units, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1; the multi - wavelength laser outputs a first optical signal to the M delay transmit - receive shared units; the radio - frequency transmitter outputs a first electrical signal to the M delay transmit - receive shared units; the M delay transmit - receive shared units respectively modulate, delay, and demodulate the first optical signal and the first electrical signal to obtain M second electrical signals, and output the M second electrical signals to the M antenna elements for transmission; or the multi - wavelength laser outputs a first optical signal to the M delay transmit - receive shared units; the M antenna elements receive M third electrical signals and send them to the M delay transmit - receive shared units, and the M delay transmit - receive shared units respectively modulate, delay, and demodulate the first optical signal and the third electrical signal to obtain M fourth electrical signals, and output the M fourth electrical signals to M antenna back - end processing modules for processing.

[0073] In a specific example, this device involves two working modes: transmitting and receiving.

[0074] Further, in the transmission mode, the second electrical switch is connected to the RF power divider, and the first electrical switch is connected to the circulator. The optical carriers generated by the multi-wavelength laser are amplified by the optical amplifier and divided by the 1-to-M optical power divider and then sent to the electro-optic modulator. The electrical signals to be transmitted are divided into M paths by the RF 1-to-M power divider. The electrical signals are amplified by the second electrical switch and the RF amplifier and then injected into the electro-optic modulator and loaded onto the optical carriers. Subsequently, the modulated optical carriers are sent to the N-bit optical delay channel for delay compensation, and then sent to the photodetector to demodulate the electrical signals. The electrical signals are sent to the antenna unit through the first electrical switch and the circulator and radiated out.

[0075] Further, in the reception mode, the second electrical switch is connected to the circulator, and the first electrical switch is connected to the back end of the antenna. The optical carriers generated by the multi-wavelength laser are amplified by the optical amplifier and divided by the 1-to-M optical power divider and then sent to the electro-optic modulator. The electrical signals received by the antenna unit are amplified in power by the circulator and the second electrical switch and then injected into the RF amplifier, and then injected into the electro-optic modulator for electro-optic modulation. The modulated optical carriers are sent to the N-bit optical delay channel for delay compensation, and then the electrical signals are demodulated by the photodetector. The electrical signals are sent to the back end of the antenna through the first electrical switch for further signal processing.

[0076] This embodiment solves the problem of beam pointing skew of traditional electronically controlled phased arrays under large instantaneous bandwidth working conditions; effectively solves the problems that it is difficult to achieve simultaneous multi-beams, transceiver sharing, and complex network structures in current technologies; realizes transceiver sharing of optoelectronic devices, greatly simplifies the structure of the optical network, and reduces costs; can flexibly realize the regulation of the number of simultaneous multi-beams and the transformation of beam pointing; the introduction of the wavelength division multiplexing scheme simplifies the complexity of the multi-beam forming network; realizes simultaneous multi-beam scanning of the phased array antenna, has the ability of beam pointing without skew, transceiver sharing, and frequency band transplantation under large instantaneous bandwidth.

[0077] In a possible implementation, the output end of the multi-wavelength laser is connected to the first input end of the M delay transceiver sharing units; the output end of the RF transmitter is connected to the second input end of the M delay transceiver sharing units; the M antenna units are respectively connected to the transceiver sharing ends of the M delay transceiver sharing units.

[0078] This embodiment adopts an optical delay working scheme based on the principle of physical length switching and wavelength division multiplexing, which can enable the phased array antenna to achieve beam pointing without skew under large instantaneous bandwidth and simultaneously have the ability to transmit and receive simultaneous multi-beams.

[0079] In a possible implementation, the multi-wavelength laser outputs a single-wavelength first optical signal.

[0080] In a possible implementation, the multi-wavelength laser outputs a multi-wavelength first optical signal.

[0081] In a specific example, the present device involves two working modes, namely, single-beam mode and multi-beam mode.

[0082] Furthermore, in the single-beam working mode, the multi-wavelength laser only needs to output a single-wavelength optical carrier. The delay compensation required for each antenna unit is achieved by switching the optical switches in each N-bit (N-bit) optical delay channel to different physical length paths, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0083] Furthermore, in the multi-beam working mode, according to the beam pointing requirements, the multi-wavelength laser outputs k kinds of wavelength optical carriers simultaneously, where k is an integer greater than or equal to 1. After the multi-wavelength optical carriers enter the N-bit optical delay channel, the optical switches are switched to determine the overall physical path that the optical carriers experience in the delay channel. Further, in the delay unit where the optical switches are activated and connected, the optical carriers first enter the arrayed waveguide grating 1 for wavelength division demultiplexing, and the k wavelength optical carriers enter the parallel single-mode optical fibers corresponding to their respective wavelengths in sequence. After achieving different delays, they are wavelength division multiplexed by the arrayed waveguide grating 2 and then output. In this way, the k optical carriers can respectively achieve k kinds of delay compensations in the same delay channel, corresponding to the antenna array to achieve k beams with different pointings.

[0084] Furthermore, the multi-wavelength laser can generate at most Q kinds of wavelengths, where Q is an integer greater than or equal to 1, corresponding to at most Q beam pointings, and k is the actual number of beams required in use, with k ≤ Q.

[0085] Furthermore, M antenna units work together to simultaneously achieve k beam pointings.

[0086] In a possible implementation manner, the device further includes a radio frequency power divider, an optical amplifier, and an optical power divider. The radio frequency power divider includes 1 input end and M output ends, and the optical power divider includes 1 input end and M output ends. The radio frequency power divider receives the first electrical signal and divides the first electrical signal into M first electrical signals and outputs them to the M delay transceiver shared units respectively. The optical amplifier receives the first optical signal and amplifies it, and outputs the amplified first optical signal to the optical power divider. The optical power divider divides the amplified first optical signal into M amplified first optical signals and outputs the M amplified first optical signals to the M delay transceiver shared units respectively.

[0087] In this embodiment, the number of simultaneous multi-beams is adjustable. The pointing transformation of a single beam can be achieved by switching the optical switches in the N-bit optical delay channel. When there are multi-beam pointing requirements, the relationship between multiple beams can be controlled by controlling the optical wavelengths output by the multi-wavelength laser. The number of achievable simultaneous multi-beams is determined by the number of channels of the arrayed waveguide grating.

[0088] In a possible implementation, the delay transceiver sharing unit includes an electro-optic modulator, an optical delay channel, a photodetector, a first electrical switch, a second electrical switch, a circulator, and a radio frequency amplifier; the second switch receives the first electrical signal and outputs the first electrical signal to the radio frequency amplifier; the radio frequency amplifier amplifies the first electrical signal to obtain a fifth electrical signal and sends the fifth electrical signal to the electro-optic modulator; the electro-optic modulator modulates the first optical signal and the fifth electrical signal to obtain a second optical signal and outputs the second optical signal to the optical delay channel; the optical delay channel performs delay compensation on the second optical signal to obtain a third optical signal and outputs the third optical signal to the photodetector; the photodetector demodulates the third optical signal to obtain a second electrical signal and outputs the second electrical signal to the first electrical switch; the first electrical switch outputs the second electrical signal to the circulator; the circulator outputs the second electrical signal to the antenna unit; the antenna unit transmits the electrical signal.

[0089] In this embodiment, the introduction of the circulator and the electrical switch realizes the complete sharing of the optoelectronic conversion device and the N-bit optical delay channel in the transceiver mode, greatly reducing the complexity and cost of the optical control beamforming network.

[0090] In a possible implementation, the output end of the radio frequency power splitter is connected to the first input end of the second electrical switch; the first input end of the second electrical switch is connected to the output end of the second electrical switch; the output end of the second electrical switch is connected to the input end of the radio frequency amplifier; the output end of the radio frequency amplifier is connected to the first input end of the electro-optic modulator; the output end of the multi-wavelength laser is connected to the input end of the optical amplifier; the output end of the optical amplifier is connected to the input end of the optical power splitter; the output end of the optical power splitter is connected to the second input end of the electro-optic modulator; the output end of the electro-optic modulator is connected to the input end of the optical delay channel; the output end of the optical delay channel is connected to the input end of the photodetector; the output end of the photodetector is connected to the first input end of the first electrical switch; the first input end of the first electrical switch is connected to the first output end of the first electrical switch; the first output end of the first electrical switch is connected to the input end of the circulator; the common end of the circulator is connected to the input end of the antenna unit.

[0091] This embodiment has an N-bit optical delay channel with multiple delay steps, making the network highly portable and applicable to phased array antennas with different operating frequencies and different element spacings.

[0092] In a possible implementation, the delay transceiver sharing unit includes an electro-optic modulator, an optical delay channel, a photodetector, a first electrical switch, a second electrical switch, a circulator, and a radio frequency amplifier; the circulator receives the third electrical signal transmitted by the antenna unit and outputs it to the second switch; the second switch receives the third electrical signal and outputs the third electrical signal to the radio frequency amplifier; the radio frequency amplifier amplifies the third electrical signal to obtain a sixth electrical signal and sends the sixth electrical signal to the electro-optic modulator; the electro-optic modulator modulates the first optical signal and the sixth electrical signal to obtain a fourth optical signal and outputs the fourth optical signal to the optical delay channel; the optical delay channel performs delay compensation on the fourth optical signal to obtain a fifth optical signal and outputs the fifth optical signal to the photodetector; the photodetector demodulates the fifth optical signal to obtain a fourth electrical signal and outputs the fourth electrical signal to the first electrical switch; the first electrical switch outputs the fourth electrical signal to the antenna back-end processing module for processing.

[0093] In this embodiment, a reasonable topological structure is set up by using three-port devices such as electrical switches and circulators to realize the bidirectional sharing of the transmitting beam and the receiving beam, greatly reducing the number of optoelectronic devices in the transceiver sharing optical control beamforming network, and reducing the cost and network complexity.

[0094] In a possible implementation, the output end of the antenna unit is connected to the common end of the circulator; the output end of the circulator is connected to the second input end of the second electrical switch; the second input end of the second electrical switch is connected to the output end of the second electrical switch; the output end of the second electrical switch is connected to the input end of the radio frequency amplifier; the output end of the radio frequency amplifier is connected to the first input end of the electro-optic modulator; the output end of the multi-wavelength laser is connected to the input end of the optical amplifier; the output end of the optical amplifier is connected to the input end of the optical power splitter; the output end of the optical power splitter is connected to the second input end of the electro-optic modulator; the output end of the electro-optic modulator is connected to the input end of the optical delay channel; the output end of the optical delay channel is connected to the input end of the photodetector; the output end of the photodetector is connected to the first input end of the first electrical switch; the first input end of the first electrical switch is connected to the second output end of the first electrical switch; the second output end of the first electrical switch is connected to the back end of the antenna unit.

[0095] This embodiment has multiple delay routes with different steps in the delay channel, and the optoelectronic devices are all broadband devices. Therefore, it can be applied to phased array antennas with different frequency bands and different element spacings, and has strong portability.

[0096] In a specific example, such as Figure 1 andFigure 2 As shown in Figure 2 , the optical beamforming network device (i.e., the optical beamforming device) includes: a multi-wavelength array laser (i.e., a multi-wavelength laser), an optical amplifier, an optical 1-to-M power splitter, an electro-optic modulator, an N-bit optical delay channel, a photodetector, a first electrical switch, an electrical circulator (i.e., a circulator), a second electrical switch, a radio frequency 1-to-M power splitter, and a radio frequency amplifier.

[0097] Furthermore, the array antenna is a one-dimensional M-element linear array. The array antenna includes antenna elements 1 to M, which are used to transmit or receive electrical signals and can be further expanded into a two-dimensional array according to actual situations.

[0098] Furthermore, the multi-wavelength laser is used to generate Q different wavelengths of optical carriers, and the carrier wavelengths are λ 1 , λ 2 , λ 3 , ……, λ Q .

[0099] Furthermore, the optical amplifier is used to amplify the signal (optical carrier) generated by the multi-wavelength laser.

[0100] Furthermore, the optical 1-to-M power splitter equally divides the signal amplified by the optical amplifier into M paths and sends them to the electro-optic modulator. The M paths are respectively sent to M electro-optic modulators in one-to-one correspondence.

[0101] Furthermore, the electro-optic modulator is used to load the electrical signal to be transmitted (radio frequency signal) or the electrical signal received by the antenna element onto the optical carrier. A Mach-Zehnder modulator is adopted, and the modulation method is orthogonal intensity modulation.

[0102] Furthermore, the N-bit optical delay channel is used to provide the delay amount required for compensation when each antenna element scans. It is composed of 2 one-in-two-out optical switches, (N - 1) two-in-two-out optical switches, N delay units, and equally long single-mode optical fibers. The upper path between adjacent two optical switches is connected by a single delay unit, and the lower paths are all connected by ordinary single-mode optical fibers with a length of L0. There is no requirement for L0, as long as they are of equal length.

[0103] Furthermore, the delay unit is successively connected in series by an arrayed waveguide grating 1, Q parallel-arranged ordinary single-mode optical fibers, and an arrayed waveguide grating 2.

[0104] Furthermore, the arrayed waveguide grating 1 is used to realize the wavelength division demultiplexing of Q optical wavelength carriers, and its basic structure is single-fiber input and Q-fiber output.

[0105] Furthermore, the arrayed waveguide grating 2 is used to realize the wavelength division multiplexing of Q optical wavelength carriers, and its basic structure is single-fiber output and Q-fiber input.

[0106] Further, for the first delay unit, the Q optical fibers in the Q path correspond to Q optical carriers with different wavelengths of the multi-wavelength laser, and their length is L q , q = 1, 2, 3, ……, Q; corresponding to different delay steps, which can be designed as an arithmetic progression. The delay amounts realized by the Q paths are respectively Δτ q =(n×L q ) / c, q = 1, 2, 3, ……, Q; where n is the refractive index of the optical fiber and c is the propagation speed of light in vacuum, and its magnitude is 3×10 8 m / s; then for the entire delay channel, the lengths of the Q parallel single-mode optical fibers in the p-th delay unit are respectively L q ×2 p-1 , p = 1, 2, 3, ……, N; q = 1, 2, 3, ……, Q; the delay amounts realized by the Q paths are 2 p -1 ×Δτ q .

[0107] Further, the photodetector is used to demodulate the electrical signal from the modulated optical signal.

[0108] Further, the electrical switch is used to switch the transmitting and receiving states of the beamforming network. Among them, the first electrical switch selects to inject the transmitting signal into the antenna unit or send the receiving signal to the back end of the antenna for further processing. The second electrical switch is used to select to inject the transmitting signal or the receiving signal into the radio frequency amplifier for electro-optical modulation and delay compensation.

[0109] Further, the circulator is used to separate the transmitted and received electrical signals.

[0110] Further, the radio frequency 1×M power divider equally divides the power of the electrical signal to be transmitted into M parts.

[0111] Further, the radio frequency amplifier is used to amplify the power of the electrical signal to be modulated.

[0112] In this embodiment, an arrayed waveguide grating and a common single-mode optical fiber are used to form the minimum delay unit, and then the minimum delay units are connected in series by using an optical switch. Combined with a multi-wavelength laser, multi-wavelength delay adjustment can be realized. The structure of this delay channel is simple and compact, and it is easy to be realized in engineering.

[0113] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a light-controlled beamforming method for transceiver sharing, which includes providing M antenna units, a multi-wavelength laser, a radio frequency transmitter, and M delay transceiver sharing units, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1; outputting a first optical signal from the multi-wavelength laser to the M delay transceiver sharing units; outputting a first electrical signal from the radio frequency transmitter to the M delay transceiver sharing units; using the M delay transceiver sharing units to respectively modulate, delay, and demodulate the first optical signal and the first electrical signal to obtain M second electrical signals, and outputting the M second electrical signals to the M antenna units for transmission; or outputting a first optical signal from the multi-wavelength laser to the M delay transceiver sharing units; receiving M third electrical signals by the M antenna units and sending them to the M delay transceiver sharing units, using the M delay transceiver sharing units to respectively modulate, delay, and demodulate the first optical signal and the third electrical signal to obtain M fourth electrical signals, and outputting the M fourth electrical signals to M antenna back-end processing modules for processing.

[0114] This embodiment solves the problem of beam pointing skew of traditional electronically controlled phased arrays under large instantaneous bandwidth working conditions; effectively solves the problems that it is difficult to achieve simultaneous multi-beams, transceiver sharing, and complex network structures in current technologies; realizes the transceiver sharing of optoelectronic devices, greatly simplifies the structure of the optical network, and reduces costs; can flexibly realize the regulation of the number of simultaneous multi-beams and the transformation of beam pointing; the introduction of the wavelength division multiplexing scheme simplifies the complexity of the multi-beam forming network; realizes the simultaneous multi-beam scanning of the phased array antenna, has the ability of beam pointing without skew, transceiver sharing, and frequency band transplantation under large instantaneous bandwidth.

[0115] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples for clearly explaining the present invention, rather than limitations on the implementation manners of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other different forms of changes or variations can be made based on the above description. It is impossible to list all the implementation manners here. Any obvious changes or variations derived from the technical solutions of the present invention still fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An optical beamforming device for both transmission and reception, characterized in that: It includes M antenna units, a multi-wavelength laser, a radio frequency transmitter and M delayed transmission and reception shared units, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1; The multi-wavelength laser outputs a first optical signal to the M delayed transceiver sharing units; the radio frequency transmitter outputs a first electrical signal to the M delayed transceiver sharing units; the M delayed transceiver sharing units respectively modulate, delay and demodulate the first optical signal and the first electrical signal to obtain M second electrical signals, and output the M second electrical signals to the M antenna units for transmission; Or the multi-wavelength laser outputs a first optical signal to the M delayed transceiver sharing units; the M antenna units receive M third electrical signals and send them to the M delayed transceiver sharing units, the M delayed transceiver sharing units respectively modulate, delay and demodulate the first optical signal and the third electrical signal to obtain M fourth electrical signals, and output the M fourth electrical signals to the M antenna back-end modules for processing.

2. The optical beamforming device for both transmission and reception according to claim 1, characterized in that: The output end of the multi-wavelength laser is connected to the first input end of the M delayed transmission and reception sharing units; The output end of the radio frequency transmitter is connected to the second input end of the M delay receiving and transmitting shared units; The M antenna units are respectively connected to the transmitting and receiving common ends of the M delayed transmitting and receiving common units.

3. The optical beamforming device for both transmission and reception according to claim 2, characterized in that: The multi-wavelength laser outputs a first optical signal of a single wavelength.

4. The optical beamforming device for both transmission and reception according to claim 2, characterized in that: The multi-wavelength laser outputs a first optical signal with multiple wavelengths.

5. The optical beamforming device for both transmission and reception according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: The device also includes a radio frequency power splitter, an optical amplifier and an optical power splitter, wherein the radio frequency power splitter includes 1 input end and M output ends, and the optical power splitter includes 1 input end and M output ends; The RF power divider receives the first electrical signal, and divides the first electrical signal into M first electrical signals, and outputs them to the M delayed transmission and reception shared units respectively; The optical amplifier receives and amplifies the first optical signal, and outputs the amplified first optical signal to the optical power splitter; The optical power splitter divides the amplified first optical signal into M amplified first optical signals, and outputs the M amplified first optical signals to the M delayed transmission and reception sharing units respectively.

6. The optical beamforming device for both transmission and reception according to claim 5, characterized in that: The delayed transmission and reception shared unit includes an electro-optical modulator, an optical delay channel, a photodetector, a first electrical switch, a second electrical switch, a circulator and a radio frequency amplifier; The second switch receives the first electrical signal and outputs the first electrical signal to the RF amplifier; The radio frequency amplifier amplifies the first electrical signal to obtain a fifth electrical signal, and sends the fifth electrical signal to the electro-optical modulator; The electro-optical modulator modulates the first optical signal and the fifth electrical signal to obtain a second optical signal, and outputs the second optical signal to the optical delay channel; The optical delay channel performs delay compensation on the second optical signal to obtain a third optical signal, and outputs the third optical signal to the photoelectric detector; The photodetector demodulates the third optical signal to obtain a second electrical signal, and outputs the second electrical signal to the first electrical switch; The first electrical switch outputs the second electrical signal to the circulator; The circulator outputs the second electrical signal to the antenna unit; The antenna unit transmits the electrical signal.

7. The optical beamforming device for both transmission and reception according to claim 6, characterized in that: The output end of the radio frequency power divider is connected to the first input end of the second electric switch; The first input terminal of the second electrical switch is connected to the output terminal of the second electrical switch; The output end of the second electric switch is connected to the input end of the radio frequency amplifier; The output end of the radio frequency amplifier is connected to the first input end of the electro-optical modulator; The output end of the multi-wavelength laser is connected to the input end of the optical amplifier; The output end of the optical amplifier is connected to the input end of the optical power divider; The output end of the optical power divider is connected to the second input end of the electro-optic modulator; The output end of the electro-optic modulator is connected to the input end of the optical delay channel; The output end of the optical delay channel is connected to the input end of the photodetector; The output terminal of the photodetector is connected to the first input terminal of the first electrical switch; The first input terminal of the first electrical switch is connected to the first output terminal of the first electrical switch; A first output terminal of the first electrical switch is connected to an input terminal of the circulator; The common end of the circulator is connected to the input end of the antenna unit.

8. The optical beamforming device for both transmission and reception according to claim 5, characterized in that: The delayed transmission and reception shared unit includes an electro-optical modulator, an optical delay channel, a photodetector, a first electrical switch, a second electrical switch, a circulator and a radio frequency amplifier; The circulator receives the third electrical signal transmitted by the antenna unit and outputs it to the second switch; The second switch receives the third electrical signal and outputs the third electrical signal to the RF amplifier; The radio frequency amplifier amplifies the third electrical signal to obtain a sixth electrical signal, and sends the sixth electrical signal to the electro-optical modulator; The electro-optical modulator modulates the first optical signal and the sixth electrical signal to obtain a fourth optical signal, and outputs the fourth optical signal to the optical delay channel; The optical delay channel performs delay compensation on the fourth optical signal to obtain a fifth optical signal, and outputs the fifth optical signal to the photoelectric detector; The photodetector demodulates the fifth optical signal to obtain a fourth electrical signal, and outputs the fourth electrical signal to the first electrical switch; The first electrical switch outputs the fourth electrical signal to the antenna back-end processing module for processing.

9. The optical beamforming device for both transmission and reception according to claim 8, characterized in that: The output end of the antenna unit is connected to the common end of the circulator; The output end of the circulator is connected to the second input end of the second electrical switch; The second input terminal of the second electrical switch is connected to the output terminal of the second electrical switch; The output end of the second electric switch is connected to the input end of the radio frequency amplifier; The output end of the radio frequency amplifier is connected to the first input end of the electro-optical modulator; The output end of the multi-wavelength laser is connected to the input end of the optical amplifier; The output end of the optical amplifier is connected to the input end of the optical power divider; The output end of the optical power divider is connected to the second input end of the electro-optic modulator; The output end of the electro-optic modulator is connected to the input end of the optical delay channel; The output end of the optical delay channel is connected to the input end of the photodetector; The output terminal of the photodetector is connected to the first input terminal of the first electrical switch; The first input terminal of the first electrical switch is connected to the second output terminal of the first electrical switch; The second output end of the first electrical switch is connected to the rear end of the antenna unit.

10. A method for forming an optical beam for both transmission and reception, characterized in that: include Providing M antenna units, a multi-wavelength laser, a radio frequency transmitter and M delayed transmission and reception shared units, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1; The multi-wavelength laser is used to output a first optical signal to the M delay transceiver sharing units; the radio frequency transmitter is used to output a first electrical signal to the M delay transceiver sharing units; the M delay transceiver sharing units are used to modulate, delay and demodulate the first optical signal and the first electrical signal to obtain M second electrical signals, and the M second electrical signals are output to the M antenna units for transmission; Or use the multi-wavelength laser to output the first optical signal to the M delayed transceiver sharing units; use the M antenna units to receive M third electrical signals and send them to the M delayed transceiver sharing units, use the M delayed transceiver sharing units to modulate, delay and demodulate the first optical signal and the third electrical signal respectively to obtain M fourth electrical signals, and output the M fourth electrical signals to the M antenna units for processing.

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