Conformal Wideband Optically Addressed Transmitting Phased Array With Photonic Receiver

In this paper we present a wideband optically addressed transmitting phased array antenna, consisting of an ultra-wideband tunable RF synthesizer, an optical phase-feed network, and a high-speed photodetector-integrated conformal array antenna. RF source generation and the optical feed network are capable of covering a frequency range of up to 50 GHz. A conformal 4 x 4 Ka-band patch array antenna is designed, fabricated and characterized. The array is designed to sweep over +/- 40 degrees from the broadside. An optically based detector is implemented to measure the far-field of the transmitting phased array. Embedded electronic control is developed for the RF synthesizer, optical feed network control, and photonic receiver. This system is consolidated into a portable cart for field testing. Extensive studies of the subsystems have been performed. Electrically controlled optical beam steering is demonstrated and characterized, and far-fields are measured, and compared with simulation results, showing excellent agreement.