Simple true-time-delay generator for optical control of phased array antenna
US6388616B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 16, 2000 |
| Grant date | May 14, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 16, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01Q3/2682
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A true time delay system for optical control of a phased array antenna includes a first time delay unit having a pair of parallel end walls having mirrored surfaces facing each other in a zigzag pattern, and an intermediate wall which is substantially parallel to the end walls and has mirrored surfaces on both sides which match the end walls. The intermediate wall also has matching openings in the mirrored surfaces to permit light to pass through the intermediate wall. A displacement unit displaces the intermediate wall relative to the end walls to change the distance that a series of input light beams travels, creating a true time delay between each two consecutive light beams in a first dimension. A second time delay unit receives the output of the first time delay unit, provides a time delay between each two consecutive light beams in a second dimension and outputs light beams having a sequence of time delay in both the first and second dimensions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.