A multioctave-band photonically-controlled, low-profile, structurally-embedded phased array with integrated frequency-independent phase-shifter

A multioctave-band, conformable, structurally-embedded phased array is being developed in an ongoing multi-year research program. It employs the newly invented wideband low-profile spiral-mode microstrip (SMM) antenna as an array element. Beam steering is achieved by a novel integrated spiral antenna/phase-shifter, which is potentially frequency-independent. The integrated antenna phase-shifter is controlled photonically via optical fiber with minimal interference from electronic circuits. The array is also compatible with conventional as well as future photonically interconnected phased array architectures such as true-time-delay systems