Microwave phase-control scheme based on optical beat wave generation and propagation in an optical fiber

David Tanner,Guido Mueller,Kenichiro Tsuji,Tomoyuki Uehara

doi:10.1117/1.oe.57.1.016106

David Tanner, Guido Mueller + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1117/1.oe.57.1.016106

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Abstract

A microwave phase-control scheme is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. Two lasers are combined in an optical fiber coupler to generate a beat signal. The beat frequency is tuned by controlling the frequency of one laser. Using the phase shift of the beat waves with different frequencies during the propagation in an optical fiber, the phase of the radio-frequency (RF) signal generated by a photodetector (PD) can be controlled. Using the phase shift during the propagation of beat waves in an optical fiber with different beat frequencies, the phase of the RF signal generated by a PD connected to the fiber can be controlled. A tunable phase shift ranging from 0 deg to 1400 deg is obtained for frequencies from 6 to 10 GHz. This scheme offers the advantages of fast tuning and precise phase control of an RF signal.

Highlights

IntroductionRadio-frequency (RF) phase shifters play an important role in phased-array antennas for radars (such as the phase shifters in the Aegis combat system)[1] and communication systems
Radio-frequency (RF) phase shifters play an important role in phased-array antennas for radars[1] and communication systems
The frequencies of the RF signals generated by PD2 and PD3 are stable owing to the frequency stabilization system

Summary

Introduction

Radio-frequency (RF) phase shifters play an important role in phased-array antennas for radars (such as the phase shifters in the Aegis combat system)[1] and communication systems. A microwave phase-control scheme based on beat note generation in an optical fiber without using dispersion is developed. The phase shift can be realized by controlling the detuning frequency of the beat note. A longer fiber leads to a larger phase shift for the same beat note detuning. In this proposed scheme, the phase shift and signal frequency are related to each other. We give a basic principle of RF phase shift and the frequency stabilization technique of the beat note (Sec. 2).

Basic Principle

Frequency Stabilization of the Beat Note

Experiment

Results

Frequency Stability and Phase Fluctuation of the Generated RF Signal

Conclusion