Photonic Beamforming Based on Programmable Phase Shifters With Amplitude and Phase Control

Abstract

A new optically controlled phased array beamforming technique based on phase modulations of wavelength-division-multiplexed (WDM) single sideband modulated light with carrier using a two-dimensional array liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) pixels device, is presented. It realizes multiple wideband photonic microwave phase shifters, operates over a wide frequency range, and simultaneously integrates the array phase taper and the array amplitude taper within a single unit. The beamforming is software programmable. Experimental results demonstrate multiple independent microwave phase shifters that operate simultaneously over a 10- to 20-GHz frequency range, and results demonstrate beamsteering in a four-element optically controlled beam steering array at 18 GHz.