Photonic systems for antenna applications

For well over a decade, research groups around the world have been investigating photonic devices for use in antenna, phased-array, and electromagnetic-field-sensor systems. Proposed applications include EMC monitoring, EMP measurements, anechoic-chamber calibration, novel antenna and array designs, remotely located antennas, and smart skins. Photonic antenna links allow immunity from electromagnetic interference, provide an extremely wide working bandwidth, and allow long cable runs with a minimum of loss. Developments in laser technology allow photonic-based links to have very low noise figures and high dynamic range. Opto-electronic devices are now being built in III-V semiconductors (GaAs, InP), which will ultimately lead to opto-electronic integration with MMIC devices. Photonic systems will revolutionize the way in which electromagnetic-measurement and antenna systems will be designed and built in the future. The paper presents an introduction to the types of photonic links and modulator systems available to the antenna engineer.<>