System and method for transmitting signals via photonic excitation of a transmitter array
First Claim
1. A radio frequency (RF) phased array transmitter system comprising:
- a phased array for generating an RF signal, the phased array comprising;
a plurality of conductive patches formed in an array such that a plurality of separation gaps are formed, wherein each of the plurality of separation gaps is formed between two adjacent ones of the plurality of conductive patches; and
a plurality of active sources, each of the plurality of active sources formed across its associated one of the plurality of separation gaps;
an optical source having an optical output, the optical source for generating an optical signal;
an RF source having an RF output, the RF source for generating an RF signal; and
an optical modulator coupled to the optical source and the RF source, the optical modulator having a first modulator input, a second modulator input and a modulator output, the first modulator input for receiving an optical signal, the second modulator input for receiving an RF signal, the modulator output for providing an RF modulated optical signal based on the received optical signal and the received RF signal.
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Abstract
A radio frequency (RF) phased array transmitter system comprises a phased array for generating an RF signal. The phased array comprises conductive patches formed in an array, separation gaps, and active sources. Each of the separation gaps is formed between two adjacent ones of the conductive patches, and each of the active sources is formed across its associated one of the separation gaps. The system further comprises an optical source for generating an optical signal and an RF source for generating an RF signal. In addition, the system comprises an optical modulator coupled to the optical source and the RF source. The optical modulator receives an optical signal and an RF signal, and produces an RF modulated optical signal based on the received optical signal and the received RF signal.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A radio frequency (RF) phased array transmitter system comprising:
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a phased array for generating an RF signal, the phased array comprising; a plurality of conductive patches formed in an array such that a plurality of separation gaps are formed, wherein each of the plurality of separation gaps is formed between two adjacent ones of the plurality of conductive patches; and a plurality of active sources, each of the plurality of active sources formed across its associated one of the plurality of separation gaps; an optical source having an optical output, the optical source for generating an optical signal; an RF source having an RF output, the RF source for generating an RF signal; and an optical modulator coupled to the optical source and the RF source, the optical modulator having a first modulator input, a second modulator input and a modulator output, the first modulator input for receiving an optical signal, the second modulator input for receiving an RF signal, the modulator output for providing an RF modulated optical signal based on the received optical signal and the received RF signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A radio frequency (RF) transmitter system comprising:
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a plurality of pattern elements comprising conductive areas, the plurality of pattern elements arranged such that a plurality of separation gaps are formed, wherein each of the plurality of separation gaps is formed between each set of adjacent ones of the plurality of pattern elements; and a plurality of active sources, each of the plurality of active sources formed across its associated one of the plurality of separation gaps, wherein each of the plurality of active sources is operable to receive DC electrical power, each of the plurality of active sources is operable to receive an optical signal, and the plurality of active sources are operable to generate RF current. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. A method for transmitting a radio frequency (RF) signal via photonic excitation of a transmitter, the method comprising steps of:
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receiving an optical signal; receiving an RF signal; modulating the optical signal using the RF signal by an optical modulator; receiving electrical power by a plurality of active sources of a transmitter; receiving a modulated optical signal by the plurality of active sources of the transmitter; generating RF current by the plurality of active sources; and radiating RF power. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification