Title :
A compact high-performance optical control system for phased array radars
Author_Institution :
Gen. Electr. Corp. Res. & Dev. Center, Schenectady, NY, USA
Abstract :
A novel optical control system using nematic liquid crystals and acoustooptic devices is introduced. It can provide compact, lightweight, low-cost, transmit/receive mode, high-performance (<6 b), truly analog, 0-2 pi phase control for large (e.g., 5000-element) phased arrays. Modulo-2 pi phase control was demonstrated for a 120-MHz carrier, with a carrier-to-noise ratio of 116.8 dB/Hz at 1 MHz and a signal dynamic range of 55.5 dB at 1 MHz. A novel time-multiplexed, two-channel, radar beam scanning approach is introduced to provide fast 200-beam/s antenna scanning rates.<>
Keywords :
acousto-optical devices; antenna accessories; antenna phased arrays; liquid crystal devices; nematic liquid crystals; phase control; radar antennas; scanning antennas; 1 MHz; 120 MHz; acoustooptic devices; carrier-to-noise ratio; compact high-performance optical control system; high-performance; low-cost; nematic liquid crystals; phase control; phased array radars; signal dynamic range; time multiplexed two channel radar beam scanning; transmit/receive mode; Acoustic beams; Control systems; Laser radar; Optical arrays; Optical control; Optical polarization; Optimized production technology; Phased arrays; Radar antennas; Stability;
Journal_Title :
Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE
