Wavelength-selectable optical signal processor
First Claim
1. An optical delay processor comprising:
- a plurality of input means each receiving an identical portion of a modulated optical beam, the optical beam having a predetermined wavelength;
a succession of optical delay pathways each coupled to one of said input means, wherein the distance each beam traverses through each delay pathway varies as a function of said predetermined wavelength of the optical beam, and wherein said distance for any one of said predetermined wavelengths creates a predetermined delay pattern across said succession of optical delay pathways.
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Abstract
A wavelength-selectable optical signal processor for creating a predetermined optical delay pattern in a signal. The system includes a succession of optical delay pathways each receiving a portion of a modulated optical beam having a predetermined wavelength. The distance each beam traverses through each delay pathway varies as a function of the predetermined wavelength of the optical beam. As a result, the distance of the optical path for any of the predetermined wavelengths creates a predetermined delay pattern across the succession of optical delay pathways. In signal processing applications the delayed optical beam can be recombined in the time domain to construct a superposition of time delayed signals yielding an agile signal processor implemented using a wavelength-reconfigurable transversal filter design. In a phased-array antenna, the present invention results in a time delay network which establishes a one-to-one correspondence between antenna beam direction and optical carrier wavelength. This permits an antenna to change beam direction simply by changing the wavelength of the optical carrier.
43 Citations
23 Claims
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1. An optical delay processor comprising:
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a plurality of input means each receiving an identical portion of a modulated optical beam, the optical beam having a predetermined wavelength; a succession of optical delay pathways each coupled to one of said input means, wherein the distance each beam traverses through each delay pathway varies as a function of said predetermined wavelength of the optical beam, and wherein said distance for any one of said predetermined wavelengths creates a predetermined delay pattern across said succession of optical delay pathways. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A phased array antenna system comprising:
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a plurality of antenna elements arranged in an array; signal input means for receiving at least one electrical data signal; means for converting said electrical data signal into a modulated optical signal; an optical delay processor coupled to said array, said optical delay processor including a plurality of input means each receiving an identical portion of a modulated optical beam, the optical beam having a predetermined wavelength, and a succession of optical delay pathways each coupled to one of said input means, wherein the distance each beam traverses through each delay pathway varies as a function of said given wavelength of the optical beam, and wherein said distance for any one of said given wavelengths creates a predetermined delay pattern across said succession of optical delay pathways; output means coupled to said delay pathway outputs;
means for coupling said modulated optical signal to each of said inputs in said optical delay processor;means for converting said optical delay processor output into electrical signals; and means for coupling said electrical signals derived from said optical delay processor output to said antenna elements, whereby said antenna elements receive said electrical signals in said predetermined delay pattern. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An optical signal processing system comprising:
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a plurality of input means each receiving an identical portion of a modulated optical beam, the optical beam having a predetermined wavelength; a succession of optical delay pathways each coupled to one of said input means, wherein the distance each beam traverses through each delay pathway varies as a function of said predetermined wavelength of the optical beam, and wherein said distance for any one of said predetermined wavelengths creates a predetermined delay pattern across said succession of optical delay pathways; signal input means for receiving at least one electrical data signal; means for converting said electrical data signal into a modulated optical signal; means for coupling said modulated optical signal to each of said inputs in said optical delay processor; means for combining the outputs of said optical delay pathways; and means for converting said combined optical delay processor output into output electrical signals whereby said predetermined delay pattern is imposed on said output electrical signals.
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Specification