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: A method and an apparatus are described that split a broadband optical signal into a plurality of narrow-band portions. Each of said narrow-band portions is combined in the same optical channel with an optical local oscillator (OLO). Furthermore, the OLO is spectrally separate from, or non-overlapping with, the corresponding narrow-band portion of the signal in the same channel. This functionality is achieved by launching the broadband optical signal and a local oscillator optical comb (LOOC) into separate waveguides at the input star coupler of an arrayed-waveguide grating. The waveguides of the output star coupler carry the narrow-band portions of the broadband optical signal along with the respective non-overlapping spectral lines of the OLO.

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: 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: In certain embodiments, a system includes an optical switch matrix, an optical lens coupled to the switch matrix, and a wireless transmitter coupled to the lens. The switch matrix is configured to switch first optical signals from input ports to output ports of the switch matrix, and output second optical signals that are based at least partially on the first optical signals. The lens is configured to transform wave formats of the second optical signals based on the output ports over which the second optical signals are received. The transmitter includes an antenna array and circuitry coupled to the array. The circuitry is configured to receive the second optical signals from the lens, convert the second optical signals into beamformed wireless signals in accordance with the transformed formats, and transmit the beamformed wireless signals, which signals have spatial characteristics in accordance with the transformed formats, over the array.

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 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 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: 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: 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 transmitter to be used in wireless multi-user MIMO has been described above. 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. 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). The data channels are established in the digital domain and the RF beam-forming accuracy is only limited by the available resolution of DAC, which can be as high as 16 bits for 2.8 GSPS in off-the-shelf components.

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.