Boresight method with an external extended array

A method of array signal calibration comprising:

• a multiplicity of antenna array systems, each comprising of a multiplicity (M) of antennas, wherein for each antenna array system, a radio frequency (RF) coupler following each array antenna which sums a far field signal captured by each antenna with a RF calibration signal injected into each RF coupler to generate a downstream RF summation antenna signal, which denotes a single RF antenna path, followed by a downstream RF to fiber optic transmitter which multiplexes each RF summation antenna signal onto a single or multiplicity of fiber optic cables, to a centralized multi channel receiver system which is displaced from each antenna array system by more than 10 feet in physical distance,
• wherein the antennas and the RF couplers are installed external to an airborne, a shipboard, or a ground based platform and the centralized multi channel receiver system is installed internal to the same platform,
• wherein at the centralized multi channel receiver system an optical switch connects to the multiplicity of antenna array systems, and feeds a switched in optical signal to a fiber optic receiver, which demultiplexes the M signals and feeds a unique RF signal into each channel of the centralized multi channel receiver system,
• wherein the RF summation antenna signal follows a channel path with a multiplicity of active components in this path between the RF coupler and a downstream multi channel receiver system channel module,
• wherein a separate calibration source system comprising a multiplicity of RF transmitters, each generates the RF calibration signal which is RF summed in a RF combiner, and generates an upstream RF summed calibration signal, followed by an upstream RF to fiber optic transmitter which converts the upstream RF summed calibration signal into an optical calibration signal, which is fed through an upstream optical switch and followed by one or more fiber optic cables, to the antenna array location where the upstream optical signal is reconverted to an RF calibration signal, split copied through an RF splitter, wherein each RF calibration signal is then fed into the RF couplers,
• wherein a downstream low noise amplifier can be inserted between each RF coupler and the downstream RF to fiber optic transmitter, and;
• wherein an upstream low noise amplifier can be inserted between the RF combiner, summing the RF summed calibration signal and the upstream RF to fiber optic transmitter.