Optical-phased array beam-steerer

A method of steeringva light beam, the method comprising:

• transmitting light from a tunable laser to a switch input of an optical switch, the light having associated thereto an optical phase and a wavelength, the optical switch comprising a plurality of switch outputs, each of the plurality of switch outputs being coupled to a different star coupler (SC) input of a plurality of SC inputs of a SC, the SC comprising a plurality of SC outputs, the SC outputs being each coupled to a different grating coupler of a plurality of grating couplers;
• selecting a particular switch output of the plurality of switch outputs, the particular switch output corresponding to an optical phase relationship in the phase of the light at the plurality of SC outputs, the optical phase relationship being produced by the SC;
• directing, by the optical switch, light to the particular switch output;
• tuning, by the tunable laser, the wavelength of the light;
• emitting, by the plurality of grating couplers, the light beam from the light, the light beam having associated thereto a first angle of emission with respect to a horizontal direction in a field of view and a second angle of emission with respect to a vertical direction in the field of view, the first angle of emission depending from the optical phase relationship in the phase of the light at the plurality of SC outputs, the second angle of emission depending from the wavelength.