US 2021/0333350 A1 · RF POLARIMETERS WITH OPTICAL DELAY LINES

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for determining a polarization state of an input RF signal. Two distinct RF antennas receive the input RF signal and output a first antenna signal and a second antenna signal. Polarizsations of the first and second antenna signals are orthogonal to one another. The first antenna signal is converted to a first optical signal, and the first optical signal is passed through a first optical signal to introduce a first delay. The delayed first optical signal is converted to a first RF signal. An amplitude ratio and a phase difference are determined between the first RF signal and a second RF signal that is associated with the second antenna and optionally includes a second delay. A polarization angle or polarization type of the input RF signal is determined based on the amplitude ratio and phase difference of the first and second RF signals.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for determining a polarization state of a radio frequency (RF) signal, the method comprising:

receiving, by a plurality of radio frequency (RF) antennas including a first RF antenna having a first polarization and a second RF antenna having a second polarization, an input RF signal having an input polarization, wherein the first and second polarizations are orthogonal to one another;
outputting by the first RF antenna a first antenna signal;
outputting by the second RF antenna a second antenna signal;
converting the first antenna signal to a first optical signal;
passing the first optical signal through a first optical channel to introduce a first delay;
converting the delayed first optical signal to a first RF signal;
determining an amplitude ratio and a phase difference between the first RF signal and a second RF signal associated with the second antenna signal;
and
determining a polarization angle of the input RF signal received by the plurality of RF antennas based on the amplitude ratio and the phase difference.

6 more elements

An electronic system, comprising:

a plurality of radio frequency (RF) antennas configured for receiving an input RF signal having an input polarization, the plurality of RF antennas including:
a first RF antenna having a first polarization and configured for outputting a first antenna signal;
and
a second RF antenna having a second polarization and configured for outputting a second antenna signal, the second polarization being orthogonal to the first polarization;
a first converter configured for converting the first antenna signal to a first optical signal;
a first optical channel configured for passing the first optical signal and introducing a first delay;
a second converter configured for converting the first optical signal to a first RF signal;
and
a polarization unit configured for determining an amplitude ratio and a phase difference between the first RF signal and a second RF signal associated with the second antenna signal, and determining a polarization angle of the input RF signal received by the plurality of RF antennas based on the amplitude ratio and the phase difference.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Rf polarimeters with optical delay lines

Life of this patent

Rf polarimeters with optical delay lines

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20