Optical antenna beam steering using digital phase shifter control
US5164736A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 11, 1992 |
| Grant date | Nov 17, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 11, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01Q3/2676
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and system for steering an antenna beam are provided. A light source emits light wherein at least one parameter of the emitted light is modulated. Modulated light is received by an optical detector and an analog control signal is provided by the optical detector in response to the modulated parameter. The control signal is applied to an analog-to-digital converter to convert the signal from analog to digital. The digital converter output signal is applied to a digital phase shifter for controlling the phase shift of the phase shifter and thereby steering an antenna beam according to the modulated parameter. The modulated parameter may be, for example, the intensity of the emitted light or the frequency of the emitted light. A plurality of converters and phase shifters may be provided for steering of phased array antennas.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.