Multi-aperture three-dimensional beamforming

Abstract

In one embodiment, a system is provided that includes: a mode-locked laser source configured to provide a pulsed multi-frequency laser output signal having spectrum with a plurality of comb lines, wherein one of the comb lines is a reference comb line, the comb lines forming a plurality of comb line pairs comprising the reference comb line and selected ones of the remaining comb lines; a plurality of optical-electronic (OE) conversion circuits, each OE circuit corresponding on a one-to-one basis to the plurality of comb line pairs, wherein each OE circuit is configured to provide an electrical output signal having a frequency corresponding to a heterodyning of the comb lines in its corresponding comb line pair; a plurality of amplifiers corresponding on a one-to-one basis with the OE conversion circuits, each amplifier configured to amplify a version of the electrical output signal from its corresponding OE conversion circuit so as to provide an amplified output signal; and an array of antennas corresponding on a one-to-one basis to the plurality of amplifiers, each antenna configured to transmit the amplified output signal from the corresponding amplifier, whereby the array of antennas transmits a coherent and multi-frequency signal output pulse.