Method and system for performing signal analysis using a correlative receiver

An apparatus for generating a cross ambiguity function from two input signals, the apparatus comprising:

• a tunable optical laser providing a tunable optical carrier;
• a first single sideband optical modulator configured to modulate the tunable optical carrier with one of the two input signals;
• a fixed wavelength laser comb source providing an optical comb including a plurality of fixed wavelength optical carriers;
• a second optical modulator configured to modulate the fixed wavelength optical carrier with the other of the two input signals;
• a dispersive element configured to provide a delay between the modulated tunable optical carrier and the modulated fixed wavelength optical carrier;
• a first optical detector coupled to the dispersive element;
• a second optical detector coupled to the dispersive element;
• a third optical modulator coupled to the first optical detector;
• a fourth optical modulator coupled to the second optical detector;
• a wavelength division demultiplexer optically coupled to the third optical modulator and the fourth optical modulator and configured to transmit demultiplexed signals;
• a plurality of optical 90-degree hybrid elements optically coupled to the wavelength division demultiplexer;
• and
• a plurality of optical detectors, each of the plurality of optical detectors being optically coupled to a corresponding optical 90-degree hybrid element of the plurality of optical 90-degree hybrid elements.