Communications: directive radio wave systems and devices (e.g. – Directive – Including a steerable array
Patent
1992-03-05
1993-03-02
Issing, Gregory C.
Communications: directive radio wave systems and devices (e.g.,
Directive
Including a steerable array
342368, 359238, 359285, H01Q 322, G02B 2710, G02B 2746
Patent
active
051913399
ABSTRACT:
A compact, liquid crystal-based acousto-optical control system for large (>1000 elements) phase-based phased array antennas includes a laser source providing polarized laser beams processed in an in-line interferometric optical architecture that uses two acousto-optic deflectors (AODs) driven by a microwave signal that preferably has a frequency of one-half the desired radar carrier frequency. The AODs and associated polarization rotators generate a plurality of optical signal pairs, each pair having one positive and one negative first order doppler shifted light beam, the positive and negative doppler shifted beams being orthogonally linearly polarized. A phase delay is introduced in a predetermined one of the light beams in each optical signal pair via electrical control of an array of birefringent-mode nematic liquid crystal cells in a spatial light modulator (SLM), while the non-phase delayed light beam in each pair serves as a reference for interferometric detection. After passing through the SLM, the phase-delayed light beam is combined with the unshifted light beam via a 45 degree orientation polarizer; this signal is then used via heterodyne detection by a photodiode to generate the radar carrier with the appropriate phase shift. The system operates in both the antenna transmit and receive modes, and provides a wide (GHz) tunable bandwidth, intrapulse beamforming, and analog phase control.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3878520 (1975-04-01), Wright
patent: 4864312 (1989-09-01), Huignard et al.
patent: 4929956 (1990-05-01), Lee et al.
patent: 4962382 (1990-10-01), Lee
patent: 5032002 (1991-07-01), Fonneland
"Acousto-Optic Control of Phased-Array Antennas", N. A. Riza, May 1990, GE Technical Information Series.
General Electric Company
Ingraham Donald S.
Issing Gregory C.
Snyder Marvin
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