Optical true time delay unit for multi-beamforming

Abstract

An optical true time delay (TTD) unit capable of adding independent time delays to multiple RF signals is proposed, which can be used for multi-beamforming in both transmit and receive modes. In the proposed unit, N RF signals with different center frequencies are modulated on an optical frequency comb (OFC). After transmission through a dispersive element, the RF-modulated OFC is split into N paths. In each path, a comb line is selected by a tunable optical filter. Thanks to the chromatic dispersion of the dispersive element, independently-controllable TTDs can be obtained in all paths. Then, a microwave photonic filter (MPF) is incorporated in each path, allowing a designated RF signal to undergo the TTD in that path. A proof-of-concept experiment is carried out. A two-path unit with a low-pass MPF in one path and a high-pass MPF in the other path is built. Controllable TTDs up to ~1.4 ns with a step of ~69 ps are demonstrated based on a 25-GHz-spacing OFC. In addition, a wideband multi-beam phased-array antenna system that can work in both transmit and receive modes is designed using the proposed TTD unit.