Optical switch design for true time delay array antenna

Author

Cayrefourcq, I. ; Schaller, M. ; Fourdin, C. ; Vilcot, J.-P. ; Harari, J. ; Decoster, D.

Author_Institution

Dassault-Electron., Saint-Cloud, France

Volume

145

Issue

1

fYear

1998

fDate

2/1/1998 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

77

Lastpage

82

Abstract

A new architecture for an optical system to achieve true time delay phased array antenna beam steering is proposed. This system is based on the association of switching matrixes and optical fibres of different lengths. A comparative study of the different available switch types has been carried out and concludes that total internal reflection (TIR) switches fit the specific requirements. The switch and entire matrix are designed using 2D and 3D finite difference beam propagation methods (FD-BPM). Then, the electrical behaviour of the device is investigated using a drift diffusion model. Results show the following performance: fibre to fibre loss equal to 10 dB, crosstalk around -2.0 dB and bandwidth close to 160 MHz

Keywords

antenna accessories; antenna phased arrays; electro-optical switches; finite difference methods; light reflection; optical communication equipment; optical crosstalk; optical design techniques; optical fibre losses; 10 dB; 160 MHz; available switch types; bandwidth; crosstalk; drift diffusion model; electrical behaviour; fibre to fibre loss; finite difference beam propagation methods; optical fibres; optical switch design; optical system; switching matrixes; total internal reflection switches; true time delay array antenna; true time delay phased array antenna beam steering;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Optoelectronics, IEE Proceedings -

Publisher

iet

ISSN

1350-2433

Type

jour

DOI

10.1049/ip-opt:19981755

Filename

668012