USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

William D Jemison

Peter R Herczfeld

Arthur C Paolella

An optically controlled active impedance element particularly suited to se as a tuneable inductive element for a microwave oscillator is disclosed. The optically controlled active inductive element is comprised of a circuit arrangement, preferably consisting of MESFET devices which exhibit a composite inductive characteristics, and whose inductance may be determined and controlled by direct illumination impinging on the MESFETs. The optically controlled active inductive element lends itself to being adapted to monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) applications and may find use in a wide variety of microwave circuits. Also disclosed, is an embodiment which uses the optical controlled active impedance element, in a prescribed manner, to serve as a tuneable capacitor for use in various microwave circuits.

Optically controlled active impedance element and filters employing the

An optically controlled active impedance element particularly suited to se as a tuneable inductive element for a microwave oscillator is disclosed. The optically controlled active inductive element is comprised of a circuit arrangement, preferably consisting of MESFET devices which exhibit a composite inductive characteristics, and whose inductance may be determined and controlled by direct illumination impinging on the MESFETs. The optically controlled active inductive element lends itself to being adapted to monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) applications and may find use in a wide variety of microwave circuits. Also disclosed, is an embodiment which used the optical controlled active impedance element, in a prescribed manner, to serve as a tuneable capacitor for use in various microwave circuits.

Optically controlled active impedance element particularly suited for a

A method and system for steering an antenna beam are provided. A light source emits light wherein at least one parameter of the emitted light is modulated. Modulated light is received by an optical detector and an analog control signal is provided by the optical detector in response to the modulated parameter. The control signal is applied to an analog-to-digital converter to convert the signal from analog to digital. The digital converter output signal is applied to a digital phase shifter for controlling the phase shift of the phase shifter and thereby steering an antenna beam according to the modulated parameter. The modulated parameter may be, for example, the intensity of the emitted light or the frequency of the emitted light. A plurality of converters and phase shifters may be provided for steering of phased array antennas.

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Ambler, PA, United States of America

William D Jemison