Optically Synchronized Phased Array
AssigneeCalifornia Institute of Technology
InventorsMatan Gal, Craig E. Ives, Armina Khakpour, Seyed Ali Hajimiri
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Abstract
Disclosed herein is a phased antenna array which is configured to provide a signal through multiple antennas. The phased antenna array may include a plurality of sub-arrays. Each sub-array may include a complete and functional optically synchronized integrated circuit including an integrated photo diode. Advantageously, integrating the photo diode into the integrated circuit may reduce the size of the sub-array and decrease the length the high frequency timing signal is passed.
Claims31
A phased antenna array comprising:
- an optical timing source;
- and
- a plurality of sub-arrays configured to transmit a signal, wherein each sub-array comprises:
- an integrated circuit;
- at least one antenna element controlled by the integrated circuit;
- a photo diode configured to receive a shared optical timing signal from the optical timing source and generate a timing information signal;
- an amplifier configured to receive the timing information signal from the photo diode;
- and
- a phase-locked loop connected to the amplifier and configured to generate an electronic synchronization signal which is distributed to one or more channels.
A phased antenna array comprising:
- an optical synchronization source;
- and
- a plurality of sub-arrays,
- wherein each sub-array:
- receives optical timing information from the optical synchronization source,
- generates the electrical timing information based on the optical timing information received from the optical synchronization source, and
- provides electrical timing information to multiple antenna elements.
An optically synchronized integrated circuit comprising:
- a photo diode configured to receive a shared optical timing signal and generate a timing information signal;
- an amplifier configured to receive the timing information signal from the photo diode;
- and
- a phase-locked loop connected to the amplifier and configured to generate an electronic synchronization signal which is distributed to one or more channels.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.