Multi-stage optical commutator
OwnerDerrick J Pageinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An array antenna is steered by moving two sets of optical fibers of different optical lengths between a number of light signal sources and an array antenna. By changing the lengths of the optical paths of the different light signal sources, the wave front can be steered. The light signal traverses five sections of optical delay lines with at least two selectable optical lengths. One set of selectable optical lengths provides coarse adjustment of steering, and a second set of selectable optical lengths provides fine adjustment of steering. The coarse adjustment is implemented by using a larger increment of selectable optical lengths between adjacent optical lengths than the increment for the fine adjustment. The antenna can serve both for a transmitter or a receiver.
Claims34
A device for delaying signals coupled to elements of an array antenna, the device providing delay paths of selectable length between the respective elements and a first electronic unit, the device comprising:
- a set of first fiber optic lines, each first fiber optic line having a first end, a second end wherein selected first fiber optic line first end is optically coupled to said first electronic unit;
- a second set of second fiber optic lines, each second fiber optic line having a first end optically coupled to said second end of said set of first fiber optic lines and a second end and a first selected length which varies incrementally in sequence;
- a set of third fiber optic lines, each third fiber optic line having a firs tend optically coupled to said second end of said second set of second fiber optic lines, a second end, and a second selected length;
- a set of fourth fiber optic lines, each fourth fiber optic line having a first end optically coupled to said second end of said set of third fiber optic lines, a second end, and a selectable length which varies incrementally in sequence;
- a set of fifth fiber optic lines, each fifth fiber optic line having a first end optically coupled to said second end of said set of fourth fiber optic lines, and a second end connected to a second electronic unit;
- said second electronic unit connected to said elements of array antenna;
- the set of second optical fibers being movable with respect to the set of first fiber optic lines and the set of third fiber optic lines;
- wherein one of said first optical lines, one of said second optical lines, and one of said third optical lines constitute a first section of one of said delay paths;
- and
- the set of fourth optical fibers being movable with respect to the third fiber optic lines and the set of fifth fiber optic lines, wherein said one of third optical lines in said first section of said delay paths, one of fourth optic lines and one of said fifth optical lines constitute a second section of one of said delay lines.
A device for delaying signals coupled to elements of an array antenna, the device providing delay paths of selectable length between the respective elements and a second electronic unit, the device comprising:
- a set of first fiber optic lines, each first fiber optic line having a first end, a second end wherein selected first fiber optic line first end is optically coupled to said electronic unit;
- a second set of second fiber optic lines, each second fiber optic line having a first end optically coupled to said second of said set of first fiber optic lines, a second end and a first selected length which varies incrementally in sequence;
- a set of third fiber optic lines, each third fiber optic line having a first end optically coupled to said said second end of said second set of second fiber optic lines, a second end, and a second selected length;
- a set of fourth fiber optic lines, each fourth fiber optic line having a first end optically coupled to said second end of said set of third fiber optic lines, a second end, and a selectable length which varies incrementally in sequence;
- a set of fifth fiber optic lines, each fifth fiber optic line having a first end optically coupled to said second end of said set of fourth fiber optic lines, and a second end connected to a first electronic unit;
- said first electronic unit connected to said elements of array antenna;
- the set of second optical fibers being movable with respect to the set of first fiber optic lines and the set of third fiber optic lines;
- wherein one of said first optical lines, one of said second optical lines, and one of said third optical lines constitute a first section of one of said delay paths;
- and
- the set of fourth optical fibers being movable with respect to the third fiber optic lines and the set of fifth fiber optic lines, wherein said one of third optical lines in said first section of said delay paths, one of fourth optical lines and one of said fifth optical lines constitute a second section of one of said delay lines.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.