Phase Sensitive Innovations, Inc.

University of Delaware

Future Wei Technologies, Inc.

Army Research Laboratory

Garrett Schneider

Janusz A Murakowski

Shouyuan Shi

Dennis W Prather

Chris Schuetz

Christopher A Schuetz

Stefano Galli

Xiao-Feng Qi

Munawar Kermalli

Tom Dillon

Jian Bai

Eric Dean Wetzel

Zhaolin Lu

Christopher Schuetz

A method of RF signal processing comprises receiving an incoming RF signal at each of a plurality of antenna elements that are arranged in a first pattern. The received RF signals from each of the plurality of antenna elements are modulated onto an optical carrier to generate a plurality of modulated signals that each have at least one sideband. The modulated signals are directed along a corresponding plurality of optical channels with outputs arranged in a second pattern corresponding to the first pattern. A composite optical signal is formed using light emanating from the outputs of the plurality of optical channels. Non-spatial information contained in at least one of the received RF signals is extracted from the composite signal.

Phased-array radio frequency receiver

An optical imaging system and method that reconstructs RF sources in k-space by utilizing interference amongst modulated optical beams. The system and method involves recording with photodetectors the interference pattern produced by RF-modulated optical beams conveyed by optical fibers having unequal lengths. The photodetectors record the interference, and computational analysis using known tomography reconstruction methods is performed to reconstruct the RF sources in k-space.

Distributed array for direction and frequency finding

An apparatus and method is provided to correlate radiation beams, such as RF beams, optical beams, and/or acoustic beams. A plurality of sensors are distributed according to a first pattern and disposed adjacent to a first interference region. The plurality of sensors may capture incoming radiation and convert the incoming radiation to a plurality of signals. A plurality of radiating elements are distributed according to a second pattern that differs from the first pattern and are disposed adjacent to a second interference region. A plurality of channels are connected between the sensors and the radiating elements, each channel connecting a corresponding sensor to receive a corresponding signal. Each of the radiating elements is in communication with a corresponding one of the plurality of channels to provide an outgoing radiation corresponding to the signal received by the channel. The second pattern has a relationship to the first pattern such that first and second beams of incoming radiation in the first interference region captured by the plurality of sensors are respectively mapped to corresponding first and second beams of outgoing radiation emitted by the plurality of radiating elements into the second interference region.

Phased-array mapping for beamspace processing and beamspace processor

In certain embodiments, a system includes an optical switch matrix, an optical lens coupled to the switch matrix, and a wireless transmitter coupled to the lens. The switch matrix is configured to switch first optical signals from input ports to output ports of the switch matrix, and output second optical signals that are based at least partially on the first optical signals. The lens is configured to transform wave formats of the second optical signals based on the output ports over which the second optical signals are received. The transmitter includes an antenna array and circuitry coupled to the array. The circuitry is configured to receive the second optical signals from the lens, convert the second optical signals into beamformed wireless signals in accordance with the transformed formats, and transmit the beamformed wireless signals, which signals have spatial characteristics in accordance with the transformed formats, over the array.

Apparatus and methods for transmitting signals using optical lens as a beamformer

In certain embodiments, an apparatus includes a switch matrix and frequency band isolation circuitry. The switch matrix is configured to receive, at an input port, an electrical signal, which corresponds to a transmission signal received at antennas of an antenna array. The transmission signal corresponds to a transmission spatial sector of the array. The electrical signal includes first and second signal portions in first and second frequency bands, respectively, the electrical signal having been generated from an optical signal that corresponds to the transmission signal. The switch matrix is configured to direct, via an output port and in accordance with a control signal, the electrical signal to a first of multiple signal conversion paths.

Apparatus and methods for receiving signals using optical lens as a beamformer

An optical imaging system and method that reconstructs RF sources in k-space by utilizing interference amongst modulated optical beams. In some examples, the system and method may record the interference pattern produced by RF-modulated optical beams conveyed by optical fibers having unequal lengths. The photodetectors record the interference, and computational analysis using known tomography reconstruction methods is performed to reconstruct the RF sources in k-space.

An RF receiver may include antenna elements to receive RF signals, and electro-optic modulators to generate corresponding upconverted optical signals by mixing an RF signal with an optical carrier beam. The RF receiver may include a transmission array having a first bundle of optical waveguides that receive and transmit upconverted optical signals from their ends. The ends may be arranged in a first pattern. The RF receiver may include an interference space to receive the upconverted optical signals to form a composite beam, and an array of single mode optical fibers that have lenses positioned in a detection plane to receive a portion of the composite beam. The first pattern of the ends generates an RF emitter interference pattern at the detection plane, and the single mode optical fiber lenses have a geometric arrangement that corresponds to the first RF emitter interference pattern.

Arrays of lens-coupled single-mode optical fibers for capturing radio-frequency signals in an imaging phased-array receiver

Phased-array radio frequency receiver and methods of operation

An optically-fed tightly-coupled array (TCA) antenna comprises a plurality of photodiodes and antennas. Each photodiode may receive an optical signal from an optical fiber and convert the optical signal into an RF driving signal to drive a corresponding antenna to which it is connected. Each photodiode may be connected to the antenna. In some examples, the TCA is capable of ultra-wideband operation ranging from 2-12 GHz and wide beam-steering capability up to 40&#xb0; from the broadside. Inductance peaking and resistance matching may be employed.

Optically fed antenna and optically fed antenna array

A system and method reconstructs RF sources in k-space by utilizing interference between RF signals detected by an array of antennas. The system and method may include detecting an RF interference pattern resulting from interference between RF signals in an RF coupler, where the RF signals are detected by the antennas and provided to the RF coupler by RF waveguides. The RF waveguides may have unequal RF path lengths. K-space information of the RF sources may be reconstructed from the detected RF interference pattern using known tomography reconstruction methods.

Growing community of inventors

New Castle, DE, United States of America

Garrett Schneider