Variable delay line for phased-array antenna based on a chirped fiber grating

We present a theoretical and experimental analysis of the performance of phased-array antennas steered by a single chirped fiber grating. Two approaches consisting of conventional and single-sideband (SSB) modulation techniques of the optical signal are presented in order to compare their performance and suitability for beamforming applications in microwave antennas. By using a 40-cm-long chirped grating, we measure the phase and amplitude response and calculate the corresponding radiation patterns to demonstrate wide-band operation and continuous spatial scanning properties of both configurations. SSB modulation Is presented as a real alternative to the first one offering broader operation band (4-18 GHz) for a given chirped grating and being less demanding on the fiber grating characteristics.

[1]  B. Ortega,et al.  Microwave phase shifter based on a fibre Bragg grating operating at constant wavelength , 1999, OFC/IOOC . Technical Digest. Optical Fiber Communication Conference, 1999, and the International Conference on Integrated Optics and Optical Fiber Communication.

[2]  J. Capmany,et al.  Array factor of a phased array antenna steered by a chirped fiber grating beamformer , 1998, IEEE Photonics Technology Letters.

[3]  I. Bennion,et al.  Fibre grating time delay element for phased array antennas , 1995 .

[4]  G. Ball,et al.  Programmable fiber optic delay line , 1994, IEEE Photonics Technology Letters.

[5]  Ming C. Wu,et al.  Programmable dispersion matrix using Bragg fibre grating for optically controlled phased array antennas , 1996 .

[6]  I.L. Newberg,et al.  Optically controlled serially fed phased array sensor , 1996, IEEE Photonics Technology Letters.

[7]  Alwyn J. Seeds,et al.  Optically generated true-time delay in phased-array antennas , 1995 .

[8]  H. Zmuda,et al.  Photonic beamformer for phased array antennas using a fiber grating prism , 1997, IEEE Photonics Technology Letters.

[9]  Beatriz Ortega,et al.  Chirped fibre Bragg gratings for phased-array antennas , 1997 .

[10]  J. Román,et al.  Spectral characterization of fiber gratings with high resolution. , 1998, Optics letters.

[11]  J. Román,et al.  Time-steered array with a chirped grating beamformer , 1997 .

[12]  Constantine A. Balanis,et al.  Antenna Theory: Analysis and Design , 1982 .

[13]  M. Wu,et al.  A novel multiwavelength optically controlled phased array antenna with a programmable dispersion matrix , 1996, IEEE Photonics Technology Letters.

[14]  T. Erdogan.  Fiber grating spectra , 1997 .

[15]  J. Marti,et al.  FULLY AUTOMATIC SIMULTANEOUS FIBER GRATING AMPLITUDE AND GROUP DELAY CHARACTERIZATION , 1997 .