Electro optical scanning phased array antenna for pulsed operation
US8779977B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 26, 2007 |
| Grant date | Jul 15, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 26, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01Q3/2676
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An electro optical scanning phased array antenna having a laser which generates a pulsed output. A microwave source has an output which amplitude modulates the optical output from the laser through an optical modulator. An optical loop circuit has an input connected to an output from the optical modulator and a variable time delay element. The optical loop circuit generates a plurality of modulated optical pulses at equidistantly spaced time intervals from each other at an output from the loop circuit. These time intervals vary as a function of the variable time delay element and a control circuit controls the time delay attributable to the variable time delay element. An antenna array includes end elements while a circuit converts the optical output pulses from the optical loop circuit to radio frequency signals electrically connected to the elements of the antenna array.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.