Using fibers as delay elements in optical true-time delay devices based on the white cell

An apparatus for optically generating time delays in signals comprising:

• an auxiliary mirror;
• a micro-electro-mechanical device;
• a delay unit, said delay unit comprising:
• a delay entrance plane, said delay entrance plane comprising at least one row of signal input positions, each said signal input position adapted to receive an optical beam from a source;
• a delay exit plane, said delay exit plane comprising a respective number of rows of signal output positions, each said signal output position adapted to output said optical beam;
• and
• wherein each said signal input position of a given row is connected by an optical fiber to a corresponding signal output position, each said optical fiber of a given row being the same length as every other optical fiber of said given row;
• and
• a first pair of spherical mirrors, each said spherical mirror of said first pair of spherical mirrors having a center of curvature, said first pair of spherical mirrors positioned such that said center of curvature of each said spherical mirror lies between said auxiliary mirror and said micro-electro-mechanical device;
• and
• a second pair of spherical mirrors, each said spherical mirror of said second pair of spherical mirrors having a center of curvature, said second pair of spherical mirrors positioned such that said center of curvature of each said spherical mirror lies between said micro-electro-mechanical device and said delay unit.

An apparatus for optically generating time delays in signals comprising:

• a micro-electro-mechanical device disposed in a first plane;
• an auxiliary mirror disposed in said first plane;
• a delay unit disposed in a second plane, said delay unit comprising:
• a delay entrance plane, said delay entrance plane comprising at least one row of signal input positions, each said signal input position adapted to receive an optical beam from a source;
• a delay exit plane, said delay exit plane comprising a respective number of rows of signal output positions, each said signal output position adapted to output said optical beam;
• and
• wherein each said signal input position of a given row is connected by an optical fiber to a corresponding signal output position, each said optical fiber of a given row being the same length as every other optical fiber of said given row;
• and
• a pair of lenses, said pair of lenses disposed between said delay unit and said micro-electro-mechanical device.

A method for optically generating time delays in signals, said method comprising the steps of:

• modulating an input signal onto an optical beam;
• passing said optical beam through an apparatus for optically generating time delays, said apparatus comprising:
• an auxiliary mirror;
• a micro-electro-mechanical device;
• a delay unit, said delay unit comprising:
• a delay entrance plane, said delay entrance plane comprising at least one row of signal input positions, each said signal input position adapted to receive an optical beam from a source;
• a delay exit plane, said delay exit plane comprising a respective number of rows of signal output positions, each said signal output position adapted to output said optical beam;
• and
• wherein each said signal input position of a given row is connected by an optical fiber to a corresponding signal output position, each said optical fiber of a given row being the same length as every other optical fiber of said given row;
• and
• a first pair of spherical mirrors, each said spherical mirror of said first pair of spherical mirrors having a center of curvature, said first pair of spherical mirrors positioned such that said center of curvature of each spherical mirror lies between said auxiliary mirror and said micro-electro-mechanical device;
• and
• a second pair of spherical mirrors, each said spherical mirror of said second pair of spherical mirrors having a center of curvature, said second pair of spherical mirrors positioned such that said center of curvature of each spherical mirror lies between said micro-electro-mechanical device and said delay unit;
• and
• down-converting said optical beam to an output signal.

A method for optically generating time delays in signals, said method comprising the steps of:

• modulating an input signal onto an optical beam;
• passing said optical beam through an apparatus for optically generating time delays, said apparatus comprising:
• a micro-electro-mechanical device disposed in a first plane;
• an auxiliary mirror disposed in a second plane;
• a delay unit disposed in said second plane, said delay unit comprising:
• a delay entrance plane, said delay entrance plane comprising at least one row of signal input positions, each said signal input position adapted to receive an optical beam from a source;
• a delay exit plane, said delay exit plane comprising a respective number of rows of signal output positions, each said signal output position adapted to output said optical beam;
• and
• wherein each said signal input position of a given row is connected by an optical fiber to a corresponding signal output position, each said optical fiber of a given row being the same length as every other optical fiber of said given row;
• and
• a pair of lenses, said pair of lenses disposed between said delay unit and said micro-electro-mechanical device;
• down-converting said optical beam to an output signal.