Abstract: Disclosed herein is a swappable modular-based radiofrequency (RF) frontend that is reconfigurable to form transmitting (TX) and receiving (RX) phased array systems for diverse applications. Such swappable RF frontend may be used with unique spatial and spectral optical processing of complex RF signals over an ultra-wide frequency band. The swappable RF front end may be used in conjunction with an optically upconverted imaging receiver and/or in conjunction with optically addressed phased array technologies transmitters.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to two-dimensional conformal optically-fed phased arrays and methods for manufacturing the same. The method includes providing a wafer substrate, depositing a first cladding layer on the wafer substrate, and depositing a core layer on the first cladding layer. The method further includes photolithographically patterning the core layer to provide a plurality of optical waveguide cores, and depositing a second cladding layer on the core layer to cover the plurality of optical waveguide cores to provide a plurality of optical waveguides. In addition, the method includes forming a plurality of antennas on the second cladding layer, each antenna of the plurality of antennas located near a termination of a corresponding optical waveguide of the plurality of optical waveguides, and providing a plurality of photodiodes on the second cladding layer, each photodiode of the plurality of photodiodes connected to a corresponding antenna.

Abstract: A method of RF signal processing comprises receiving an incoming RF signal at each of a plurality of antenna elements that are arranged in a first pattern. The received RF signals from each of the plurality of antenna elements are modulated onto an optical carrier to generate a plurality of modulated signals that each have at least one sideband. The modulated signals are directed along a corresponding plurality of optical channels with outputs arranged in a second pattern corresponding to the first pattern. A composite optical signal is formed using light emanating from the outputs of the plurality of optical channels. Non-spatial information contained in at least one of the received RF signals is extracted from the composite signal.

Abstract: Novel RF-Photonic antennas and antenna arrays, receivers, transmitters, transceivers and components thereof, and related methods. RF-photonic receivers and transmitters have advantages in processing information of received RF signals and/or RF signals to be transmitted in the optical realm.

Abstract: A plurality of digital processors may be used to adjust phases in a plurality of phase modulators. The plurality of digital processors may receive a periodic pulse, or heartbeat signal, from a synchronization controller in order to control the digital processors. The synchronization controller may output an additional signal used to determine and to control the phase of the signals output from the plurality of phase modulators.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, an apparatus includes a switch matrix and frequency band isolation circuitry. The switch matrix is configured to receive, at an input port, an electrical signal, which corresponds to a transmission signal received at antennas of an antenna array. The transmission signal corresponds to a transmission spatial sector of the array. The electrical signal includes first and second signal portions in first and second frequency bands, respectively, the electrical signal having been generated from an optical signal that corresponds to the transmission signal. The switch matrix is configured to direct, via an output port and in accordance with a control signal, the electrical signal to a first of multiple signal conversion paths.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided to correlate radiation beams, such as RF beams, optical beams, and/or acoustic beams. A plurality of sensors are distributed according to a first pattern and disposed adjacent to a first interference region. The plurality of sensors may capture incoming radiation and convert the incoming radiation to a plurality of signals. A plurality of radiating elements are distributed according to a second pattern that differs from the first pattern and are disposed adjacent to a second interference region. A plurality of channels are connected between the sensors and the radiating elements, each channel connecting a corresponding sensor to receive a corresponding signal. Each of the radiating elements is in communication with a corresponding one of the plurality of channels to provide an outgoing radiation corresponding to the signal received by the channel.

Abstract: An optical imaging system and method that reconstructs RF sources in k-space by utilizing interference amongst modulated optical beams. In some examples, the system and method may record the interference pattern produced by RF-modulated optical beams conveyed by optical fibers having unequal lengths. The photodetectors record the interference, and computational analysis using known tomography reconstruction methods is performed to reconstruct the RF sources in k-space.

Abstract: The subject matter described herein relates to various antenna element configurations, antenna array configurations, their operations including various systems and methods to generate modulated data for transmission by an RF antenna array via an optical processing engine. The subject matter includes optical processing engine structure and methods (e.g., modulating in the optical domain, MIMO and spatial modulation via RF beam formation, coherent transmission of RF signal components, coherent operation of spatially separate RF antenna arrays) that may be implemented with the various RF antenna array structures. In some examples, the system combines the virtues of digital, analog and optical processing to arrive at a solution for scalable, non-blocking, simultaneous transmission to multiple UE-s. Much of the system architecture is independent of the RF carrier frequency, and different frequency bands can be accessed easily and rapidly by tuning the optical source (TOPS).

Abstract: An RF receiver may include antenna elements to receive RF signals, and electro-optic modulators to generate corresponding upconverted optical signals by mixing an RF signal with an optical carrier beam. The RF receiver may include a transmission array having a first bundle of optical waveguides that receive and transmit upconverted optical signals from their ends. The ends may be arranged in a first pattern. The RF receiver may include an interference space to receive the upconverted optical signals to form a composite beam, and an array of single mode optical fibers that have lenses positioned in a detection plane to receive a portion of the composite beam. The first pattern of the ends generates an RF emitter interference pattern at the detection plane, and the single mode optical fiber lenses have a geometric arrangement that corresponds to the first RF emitter interference pattern.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a swappable modular-based radiofrequency (RF) frontend that is reconfigurable to form transmitting (TX) and receiving (RX) phased array systems for diverse applications. Such swappable RF frontend may be used with unique spatial and spectral optical processing of complex RF signals over an ultra-wide frequency band. The swappable RF front end may be used in conjunction with an optically upconverted imaging receiver and/or in conjunction with optically addressed phased array technologies transmitters.

Abstract: In the disclosed optically-fed transmitting phased-array architecture, transmitting signals are converted between the electrical domain and the optical domain by using electro-optic (EO) modulators and photodiodes. RF signal(s) generated from a relatively low frequency source modulate an optical carrier signal. This modulated optical signal can be remotely imparted to photodiodes via optical fibers. Desired RF signals may be recovered by photo-mixing at the photodiodes whose wired RF outputs are then transmitted to radiating elements of the antennas. The antenna array may generate a physical RF beam that transmits an RF signal that is focused on one or more selectable locations. Multiple RF beams may be simultaneously generated, each RF beam being capable of being directed to focus on a unique location or set of locations.

Abstract: A method of RF signal processing comprises receiving an incoming RF signal at each of a plurality of antenna elements that are arranged in a first pattern. The received RF signals from each of the plurality of antenna elements are modulated onto an optical carrier to generate a plurality of modulated signals that each have at least one sideband. The modulated signals are directed along a corresponding plurality of optical channels with outputs arranged in a second pattern corresponding to the first pattern. A composite optical signal is formed using light emanating from the outputs of the plurality of optical channels. Non-spatial information contained in at least one of the received RF signals is extracted from the composite signal.

Abstract: Example embodiments disclose a tunable optical pair source (TOPS) configured to generate first and second output optical beams having respective first and second frequencies that are phase locked with each other. The TOPS may include a first laser, such as a tunable laser, configured to generate a first laser beam, a radio frequency (RF) oscillator configured to transmit an RF reference signal, a beam splitter in optical communication with the first laser, and an electro-optic modulator configured to modulate the second split beam with the RF reference signal to form a modulated beam having a first sideband comb comprising a plurality of harmonics. Additionally, the TOPS may include an optical filter configured to receive the modulated beam and output a filtered optical beam, and a second laser configured to generate a second laser beam at the second frequency, the second laser being configured to receive the filtered optical beam as a seed.

Abstract: A hyperspectral radiometer may comprise one or more antennas, a electro-optical modulator modulating the received RF signal onto an optical carrier to generate a modulated signal having at least one sideband; a filter filtering the modulated signal to pass the sideband to a photodetector; and a photodetector producing an electrical signal from which information of the RF signal can be extracted. In some examples, the optical sideband may be spatially dispersed to provide a plurality of spatially separate optical components to the photodetector, where the spatially separate optical components having different frequencies and correspond to different frequencies of the received RF signal. In some examples, the passed sideband may be mixed with an optical beam having a frequency offset from the optical carrier to form a combined beam having at least one optical signal component having a beat frequency from which information of the RF signal can be extracted.

Abstract: An RF receiver may include antenna elements to receive RF signals, and electro-optic modulators to generate corresponding upconverted optical signals by mixing an RF signal with an optical carrier beam. The RF receiver may include a transmission array having a first bundle of optical waveguides that receive and transmit upconverted optical signals from their ends. The ends may be arranged in a first pattern. The RF receiver may include an interference space to receive the upconverted optical signals to form a composite beam, and an array of single mode optical fibers that have lenses positioned in a detection plane to receive a portion of the composite beam. The first pattern of the ends generates an RF emitter interference pattern at the detection plane, and the single mode optical fiber lenses have a geometric arrangement that corresponds to the first RF emitter interference pattern.

Abstract: In the disclosed optically-fed transmitting phased-array architecture, transmitting signals are converted between the electrical domain and the optical domain by using electro-optic (EO) modulators and photodiodes. RF signal(s) generated from a relatively low frequency source modulate an optical carrier signal. This modulated optical signal can be remotely imparted to photodiodes via optical fibers. Desired RF signals may be recovered by photo-mixing at the photodiodes whose wired RF outputs are then transmitted to radiating elements of the antennas. The antenna array may generate a physical RF beam that transmits an RF signal that is focused on one or more selectable locations. Multiple RF beams may be simultaneously generated, each RF beam being capable of being directed to focus on a unique location or set of locations.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to two-dimensional conformal optically-fed phased arrays and methods for manufacturing the same. The method includes providing a wafer substrate, depositing a first cladding layer on the wafer substrate, and depositing a core layer on the first cladding layer. The method further includes photolithographically patterning the core layer to provide a plurality of optical waveguide cores, and depositing a second cladding layer on the core layer to cover the plurality of optical waveguide cores to provide a plurality of optical waveguides. In addition, the method includes forming a plurality of antennas on the second cladding layer, each antenna of the plurality of antennas located near a termination of a corresponding optical waveguide of the plurality of optical waveguides, and providing a plurality of photodiodes on the second cladding layer, each photodiode of the plurality of photodiodes connected to a corresponding antenna.

Abstract: An optically-fed tightly-coupled array (TCA) antenna comprises a plurality of photodiodes and antennas. Each photodiode may receive an optical signal from an optical fiber and convert the optical signal into an RF driving signal to drive a corresponding antenna to which it is connected. Each photodiode may be connected to the antenna. In some examples, the TCA is capable of ultra-wideband operation ranging from 2-12 GHz and wide beam-steering capability up to 40° from the broadside. Inductance peaking and resistance matching may be employed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a swappable modular-based radiofrequency (RF) frontend that is reconfigurable to form transmitting (TX) and receiving (RX) phased array systems for diverse applications. Such swappable RF frontend may be used with unique spatial and spectral optical processing of complex RF signals over an ultra-wide frequency band. The swappable RF front end may be used in conjunction with an optically upconverted imaging receiver and/or in conjunction with optically addressed phased array technologies transmitters.