Optically Fed Phased Arrays for Coherent Wideband Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional phased arrays face limitations in providing wideband and conformal antenna solutions for multiple frequency applications, particularly in radar and communication systems, where efficient signal transmission and beam directionality are crucial.
Innovation Solution
The disclosed optically-fed transmitting phased-array architecture uses electro-optic modulators and photodiodes to convert RF signals into optical sidebands, allowing for remote transmission via optical fibers and precise beam directionality, enabling multiple beams to be generated and coherently combined for enhanced signal strength and communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional phased arrays are used for multiple frequency applications, then wideband and conformal antenna solutions are limited, but signal transmission efficiency and beam directionality are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional electrical RF signal distribution with an optical domain system. RF signals are converted to optical signals via electro-optic modulators, transmitted through optical fibers to photodiodes, which then convert back to RF signals for antenna elements. This optical substitution enables wideband operation and conformal antenna configurations while maintaining signal transmission efficiency across multiple frequency applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical fibers as an intermediary medium between the signal source and antenna elements. The optical domain acts as a bridge, allowing RF signals to be transmitted over long distances with minimal loss and enabling flexible antenna placements including conformal configurations, thereby resolving the contradiction between versatility and transmission efficiency.
2Measurement precision
If optical domain conversion is used for signal transmission, then beam directionality and multiple beam generation are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the phased array system into modular segments: electro-optic modulators at the signal source, optical fiber transmission channels, and photodiode receivers at each antenna element. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each module and simplifies the overall system architecture despite the added optical components, enabling precise beam directionality through controlled phase and amplitude adjustment at each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical domain system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it enables precise beam directionality through phase control, supports generation of multiple independent beams for different directions, provides wideband operation across multiple frequencies, and allows flexible antenna configurations. This multi-functionality justifies the increased system complexity by delivering comprehensive performance improvements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple RF beams are generated simultaneously, then communication capabilities are enhanced, but signal coordination and coherence become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors the performance of multiple simultaneous RF beams and adjusts their parameters accordingly. This feedback control enables precise coordination of multiple beams directed at different locations, maintaining signal coherence and optimizing communication capabilities across multiple frequency bands and spatial directions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables efficient wideband signal transmission and beam control, improving communication capabilities by allowing multiple beams to be directed accurately and coherently combined for increased signal strength across various frequency ranges.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting signals are converted between the electrical domain and the optical domain by using electro-optic (EO) modulators and photodiodes. RF signals are up-converted into the sidebands of an optical carrier signal.
Implementation Method 2
These modulated optical signals can be remotely imparted to photodiodes via optical fibers. Desired RF signals may be recovered by photo-mixing at the photodiodes
Data Source
AI summary
The subject matter described herein relates to various antenna element configurations, antenna array configurations, their operations including various systems and methods to generate modulated data for transmission by an RF antenna array via an optical processing engine. The subject matter includes optical processing engine structure and methods (e.g., modulating in the optical domain, MIMO and spatial modulation via RF beam formation, coherent transmission of RF signal components, coherent operation of spatially separate RF antenna arrays) that may be implemented with the various RF antenna array structures. In some examples, the system combines the virtues of digital, analog and optical processing to arrive at a solution for scalable, non-blocking, simultaneous transmission to multiple UE-s. Much of the system architecture is independent of the RF carrier frequency, and different frequency bands can be accessed easily and rapidly by tuning the optical source (TOPS). In some examples, multiple communication channels may be transmitted simultaneously to different locations. The transmitter may be formed by an array of optically fed antennas.