Opto-mechanical controlled variable RF/microwave delay...

Details Opto-mechanical controlled variable RF/microwave delay... Opto-mechanical controlled variable RF/microwave delay...

1999-03-11

2001-02-27

Ben, Loha (Department: 2873)

Optical: systems and elements

Optical modulator

Light wave temporal modulation

C359S245000, C359S259000, C359S279000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06195195

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND
The present invention relates generally to delay elements and methods, and more particularly, to an opto-mechanical controlled variable RF/microwave delay element and method.
Conventional delay elements used to delay an RF or microwave signal have typically employed variable index optical fibers and a tunable laser, or variable drift velocity multi-gate field effect transistors, for example. Problems with such conventional delay elements used to delay an RF or microwave signals include very limited delay range and signal distortion, for example. It would be desirable to have a delay element and method that is capable of large delay variation and signal linearity.
Therefore, it would be an improvement to have a variable RF/microwave delay element and method that overcomes the limitations of conventional delay elements and methods.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides for an improved opto-mechanical controlled variable RF/microwave delay element and method. The delay element comprises a laser and an RF modulator for modulating an output beam from the laser using an applied RF/microwave input signal. Injection optics are used to collimate the modulated laser beam and couple the beam to a delay element.
The delay element controllably delays the modulated laser beam and comprises a plurality of fixed retroreflectors, a plurality of moveable retroreflectors disposed on a moveable armature comprising a permanent magnet, and a coil that is coupled to the permanent magnet and disposed on a spring. A dash pot is used to suppress mechanical oscillation of the coil and moveable retroreflectors.
A delay control current source supplies current to the coil to control displacement of the moveable retroreflectors and thus the amount of delay experienced by the modulated laser beam and hence the RF/microwave signal. An RF detector is disposed to receive the delayed modulated laser beam and recover the RF input signal to provide a delayed RF output signal from the delay element.
The present invention thus integrates RF/microwave, optical and mechanical components to provide an improved opto-mechanical controlled variable RF/microwave delay element. The present opto-mechanical controlled variable RF/microwave delay element has a relatively simple architecture, has a relatively low cost and is relatively easy to manufactured.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4530573 (1985-07-01), Wolkstein
patent: 5475525 (1995-12-01), Tournois et al.
patent: 5526170 (1996-06-01), Eaman et al.
patent: 5796510 (1998-08-01), Yao
patent: 5978125 (1999-11-01), Yao

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