RF Spectrum Analysis Using Optical Waveguides

Military RADAR environments require wideband, high resolution, high probability of intercept RF receivers for signal sorting. An Integrated Optical RF Spectrum Analyzer utilizing the Bragg diffraction of guided optical waves by surface acoustic waves has great potential for furnishing that capability. Besides having projected performance competitive with other technologies, Integrated Optics offers reduced size and cost. The state-of-the-art of optical waveguide componentry has now progressed sufficiently to make possible the development of a feasibility model of such a circuit.