Abstract: A photonic-assisted digital radar system comprising an active electronically-scanned antenna; a transmitting section comprising a waveform generator to generate a modulating signal; and a modulator to receive a transmission carrier and the modulating signal and to modulate the transmission carrier by means of the modulating signal; and a receiving section comprising a photonic-assisted analog-to-digital converter to convert electric analog signals into electric digital signals; and a digital signal processor to receive and process the electric digital signals. The photonic-assisted analog-to-digital converter comprises a mode-locked laser to generate an optical clock signal; and an electronic analog-to-digital converter; wherein the electronic analog-to-digital converter, the waveform generator, the modulator and the digital signal processor are configured to operate based on electric clock signals generated based on the optical clock signal.

Abstract: A system for surveillance of a delimited area within which people move, wherein at least one hollow optical fiber is configured for extending through the area and is provided throughout its length with a plurality of holes that set an internal channel of the fiber in communication with the outside of the fiber itself. There is provided an optical source configured for supplying the optical signal to one end of the hollow optical fiber and a sensor designed to detect at one end of the hollow optical fiber the optical signal transmitted throughout the length of the fiber itself. A processing unit is configured for examining the spectrum of the optical signal detected by the sensors in order to detect the presence of toxic agents present in the area and drawn into said channel.

Abstract: A system for surveillance of a delimited area within which people move, wherein at least one hollow optical fibre is configured for extending through the area and is provided throughout its length with a plurality of holes that set an internal channel of the fibre in communication with the outside of the fibre itself. There is provided an optical source configured for supplying the optical signal to one end of the hollow optical fibre and a sensor designed to detect at one end of the hollow optical fibre the optical signal transmitted throughout the length of the fibre itself. A processing unit is configured for examining the spectrum of the optical signal detected by the sensors in order to detect the presence of toxic agents present in the area and drawn into said channel.

Abstract: An optical modulator comprising an input suitable to receive an optical carrier, and two Mach-Zender modulators in parallel, which constitute two different optical paths, the whole circuit constituting a third Mach-Zender modulator, the optical modulator being characterized in that: the first Mach-Zender modulator is provided with an electrode suitable to carry two signals, each obtained by the sum of the two tones fR and fD, of equal power but dephased of ?/2, and with an electrode for realizing a Single Side Band modulation of the tones fR and fD; the second Mach-Zender modulator is biased by means of a DC electrode; the third Mach-Zender modulator comprising an electrode suitable to realize the reversal of the optical carrier phase of the signals deriving from the first and the second Mach-Zender modulator, so as to suppress the optical carrier and thus obtaining only the tones fR and fD in the optical spectrum.

Abstract: A photonic-assisted digital radar system comprising an active electronically-scanned antenna; a transmitting section comprising a waveform generator to generate a modulating signal; and a modulator to receive a transmission carrier and the modulating signal and to modulate the transmission carrier by means of the modulating signal; and a receiving section comprising a photonic-assisted analog-to-digital converter to convert electric analog signals into electric digital signals; and a digital signal processor to receive and process the electric digital signals. The photonic-assisted analog-to-digital converter comprises a mode-locked laser to generate an optical clock signal; and an electronic analog-to-digital converter; wherein the electronic analog-to-digital converter, the waveform generator, the modulator and the digital signal processor are configured to operate based on electric clock signals generated based on the optical clock signal.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a digital electro-optical switch (1) comprising: an electro-optical substrate (3); a Y-shaped optical waveguide (2) formed in the substrate (3) and including an input branch (4) configured to be connected to an input optical waveguide, and two output branches (5) configured to be connected to respective output optical waveguides; and electrically conductive electrodes (6, 7) formed on the substrate (3) and including an inner electrode (7) arranged between the output branches (5), substantially at a branching area of the optical waveguide (2), and two outer electrodes (6) arranged outside the output branches (5), on opposite sides of the inner electrode (7), the outer electrodes (6) being electrically operable to make the electro-optical switch (1) operative between a first switching state wherein transmission of optical energy is enhanced between the input branch (4) and a first one of the output branches (5), and substantially inhibited in a second one of the output branches (5), and a se

Abstract: The invention concerns a Optical modulator, comprising an input suitable to receive an optical carrier, a high-frequency input and an output suitable to transmit an optical signal, the optical modulator comprising two Mach-Zender (1,2) modulators in parallel between the input and output, which constitute two different optical paths, the whole circuit constituting a third Mach-Zender modulator (3), the optical modulator being characterised in that: the first Mach-Zender modulator (1) is provided with an electrode suitable to carry, inside the modulator (1), two signals (RF1, RF2), each obtained by the sum of the two tones fR and fD, of equal power but dephased of ?/2, being further provided an electrode (Bias 1) for realising a Single Side Band modulation of the tones fR and fD; the second Mach-Zender modulator (2) is provided with an electrode (Bias 2) to realise statically a phase inversion of the optical carrier; the third Mach-Zender modulator (3) comprising an electrode (Bias 3) suitable to realise the

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a digital electro-optical switch (1) comprising: an electro-optical substrate (3); a Y-shaped optical waveguide (2) formed in the substrate (3) and including an input branch (4) configured to be connected to an input optical waveguide, and two output branches (5) configured to be connected to respective output optical waveguides; and electrically conductive electrodes (6, 7) formed on the substrate (3) and including an inner electrode (7) arranged between the output branches (5), substantially at a branching area of the optical waveguide (2), and two outer electrodes (6) arranged outside the output branches (5), on opposite sides of the inner electrode (7), the outer electrodes (6) being electrically operable to make the electro-optical switch (1) operative between a first switching state wherein transmission of optical energy is enhanced between the input branch (4) and a first one of the output branches (5), and substantially inhibited in a second one of the output branches (5), and a se