Multi-channel filter system

A multi-channel filter system comprising:

• means for modulating a substantially coherent light beam with an input RF signal spectrum;
• means for optically Fourier transforming and channelizing the modulated light beams to produce an input input array of modulated light beams, each light beam in said array being modulated by a spectral component of said input RF signal spectrum;
• a holographic multi-channel spectrum filter, said spectrum filter selectively passing light beams in said input array having a correlation to preselected RF spectral components to produce a correlated output array;
• means for illuminating said spectrum filter with said input array of modulated light beams to produce said correlated output array;
• means for optically notching out noise in said correlated output array;
• means for downconverting said correlated output array into an output array of noise excised and spectrum filtered RF signals;
• and
• means for detecting and for respectively converting the signals passed by said holographic multi-channel spectrum filter into electrical output signal arrays.

A method of filtering incoming RF spectra comprising:

• modulating a substantially coherent light beam with an input RF signal spectrum;
• optically performing a Fourier transform and channelizing the modulated light beam to produce an input array of modulated light beams, each light beam in said array being modulated by a spectral component of said input RF signal spectrum;
• optically notching out noise in said input array of modulated light beams;
• filtering said input array be selectively passing light beam in said input array having a correlation to preselected RF spectral components to produce a correlated output array;
• illuminating a power spectrum filter with said array of modulated light beams to produce said correlated output array;
• downconverting said correlated output array into an output array of noise and spectrum filtered RF signals;
• and
• detecting and converting the signals passed by said holographic multi-channel spectrum filter into electrical output signal arrays.

A method of filtering incoming RF spectra comprising:

• modulating a substantially coherent light beam with an input RF signal spectrum;
• optically performing a Fourier transform and channelizing the modulated light beam to produce an input array of modulated light beams, each light beam in said array being modulated by a spectral component of said input RF signal;
• filtering said input array be selectively passing light beam in said input array having a correlation to preselected RF spectral components to produce a correlated output array;
• illuminating a power spectrum filter with said array of modulated light beams to produce said correlated output array;
• optically notching out noise in said correlated output array;
• downconverting said correlated output array into an output array of noise and spectrum filtered RF signals;
• and
• detecting and converting the signals passed by said holographic multi-channel spectrum filter into electrical output signal arrays.