USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Broadband Royalty Corporation

Optinel Systems, Inc.

Paul D Biernacki

Paul J Matthews

Sandeep T Vohra

Keith J Williams

Evelyn Boettcher

Lee T Nichols

Michael E Gingerich

Michael L Frankel

Allan Ward

A transmitter for optical communication systems includes a source of optical radiation, a source of complex non-information signals, and a modulator unit in communication with the source of optical radiation. The modulator unit is also in communication with the source of complex non-information signals. The modulator has an input adapted to receive information-bearing signals.

Efficient optical transmission system

A wavelength tunable filter for optical communication systems has an optical fiber containing a Bragg grating disposed within a compliant support block. A length of the fiber is wrapped in a spiral of fixed pitch around the longitudinal axis of a cylindrical polymer support block. The support block is placed within a support frame to which a micrometer screw assembly is attached and oriented to apply a variable mechanical load substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical support block. Application of the load introduces a strain on the support block, changing the period of the refractive index in the fiber Bragg grating with a resulting shift in the Bragg reflection peak.

Wavelength tunable filter device for fiber optic systems

An image rejecting microwave photonic downconverter uses a microwave sub-carrier modulation technique without concern for image frequency interference in the shifted signal, thereby allowing telecommunications systems to downconvert densely multiplexed communications channels into a low frequency band where conventionqal electronics can perform signal-processing functions. The image rejecting microwave photonic downconveter incoming microwave signals can be processed without ambiguity in direction finding applications, allowing remotable, multioctave microwave signal processing for frequency and phase determination. A first laser providing an optical carrier that is modulated by a first electro-optic modulator with a sinusoidal electrical signal generated by a first local oscillator and a second laser providing optical carrier that is modulated by a second electro-optic modulator with a sinusoidal electrical signal generated by the second local oscillator for a signal generated by a second local oscillator; are transmitted independently through two polarization-maintaining (PM) optical fibers of arbitrary length to a distant point. There the first modulated optical signal is converted to an electrical domain and mixed with an input from an ultra-broadband radio frequency (RF) antenna receive-array, shifting the entire RF band to a higher frequency band equal to the original RF signal plus the modulated optical frequency signal.

Image rejecting microwave photonic downconverter

A circuit for selectably generating a plurality of preselected digital output signals which are precise and accurate, and among which the circuit can switch rapidly. In one embodiment, the outputs are connected to analog circuit signals, and drive a optical laser such that choice of the particular outputs of the circuit permits controllable switching of the laser output wavelength.

Control circuit, and system using same

This is a technique using a fiber-optic, wideband array antenna beamformer having cascaded, chirped fiber gratings in a distributed architecture based upon the use of cascaded, fiber-optic, chirped Bragg gratings in a distributed architecture for use in wideband, time-steered array antennas. A wavelength tunable laser serves as a carrier for a microwave signal which is modulated upon it. The signal is corporately distributed to each feed of the array. Each feed then traverses a multi-port optical circulator and is reflected off a number of identical, chirped fiber gratings proportional to their position within the array. The signal is then demodulated and fed to the appropriate antenna element. All gratings are identical with the same length and dispersion (ps/nm). Time-steering is accomplished by tuning the laser wavelength such that the effective reflection point in an individual grating is changed due to the chirped nature of the grating.

Growing community of inventors

Alexandria, VA, United States of America

Paul D Biernacki