Phased-array radio frequency receiver and methods of operation

An RF receiver, comprising:

• a plurality of antenna elements configured to receive RF signals;
• a plurality of electro-optic modulators, each electro-optic modulator being in communication with a corresponding one of the plurality of antenna elements to receive a corresponding one of the RF signals, the plurality of electro-optic modulators being configured to generate a corresponding upconverted optical signal by mixing the corresponding RF signal with an optical carrier beam;
• a transmission array comprising a first bundle of optical waveguides, each optical waveguide having an end and being in communication with a corresponding one of the plurality of electro-optic modulators to receive and transmit a respective upconverted optical signal, the ends of the optical waveguides of the first bundle being arranged in a first pattern;
• an interference space to receive the plurality of upconverted optical signals transmitted by the first bundle of optical fibers to form a composite beam;
• and
• a sensor array comprising a plurality of sensors arranged in a detection plane, the detection plane being in optical communication with the interference space to receive the composite beam, each of the sensors of the array being positioned to receive a respective portion of the composite beam impinged thereon,
• wherein the first pattern of the ends of the optical waveguides of the first bundle is configured to generate a first RF emitter interference pattern at the detection plane that corresponds to a first RF signal received by the plurality of antenna elements from a first RF emitter,
• wherein the sensors of the sensor array are positioned along the detection plane and have a geometric arrangement that corresponds to the first RF emitter interference pattern.