The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 01, 2003
Filed:
Jun. 06, 2001
James E. Leight, San Ramon, CA (US);
David L. Rollins, Woodinville, WA (US);
Richard A. Fields, Redondo Beach, CA (US);
Northrop Grumman Corporation, Los Angeles, CA (US);
Abstract
An RF combiner ( ) that combines a plurality of RF signals ( ) in the optical domain. The combiner ( ) includes a single optical source ( ) that generates an optical beam ( ). The optical beam ( ) is directed through a series of optical modulators ( ), such as optical phase modulators. Each modulator ( ) is responsive to an RF signal ( ) that is to be combined with the other RF signals ( ). Each modulator ( ) modulates the optical signal ( ) with the RF signal ( ) so that the modulations combine in an additive manner. A single optical phase demodulator ( ) is used to demodulate the composite phase modulated optical beam ( ) to generate the combined RF signal ( ). Suitable delay devices ( ) can be used between the optical modulators ( ), or the RF signals can be matched so that the RF signals combine in phase.