JP4475592B2 - Optically controlled array antenna device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention is an optical control type that enables two-dimensional beam scanning by using two sets of delay elements using the wavelength dispersion of an optical fiber in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, and synthesizing the outputs by a microwave mixer. The present invention relates to an array antenna device.

  In a conventional optically controlled array antenna apparatus, in particular, a real time delay (True Time-Delay: hereinafter referred to as TTD) array antenna apparatus has Q × N of the number N of antenna elements in the vertical direction and the number Q of elements in the horizontal direction. The control of the two-dimensional array antenna of the element has been performed as follows. That is, for the control in the vertical direction, the output of the wavelength tunable light source is modulated by microwaves, and the modulated light is input to a plurality of N wavelength dispersion fiber groups having different chromatic dispersion amounts, and the output light of each dispersion fiber Is converted into a microwave signal by a plurality of N photoelectric conversion elements. Next, for horizontal control, a microwave signal photoelectrically converted by a plurality of N wavelength variable light sources is modulated by a plurality of N optical modulators, and each modulated light has a plurality of Q signals having different chromatic dispersion amounts. A signal obtained by photoelectrically converting the output light of each dispersion fiber by a plurality of Q × N photoelectric conversion elements is fed to a plurality of Q × N antenna elements, respectively. As a result, a binary optically controlled TTD array antenna apparatus has been realized (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-23400 (FIG. 1)

  In order to control one beam in two dimensions, the conventional optical control type TTD array antenna apparatus has Q as the number of elements in the horizontal direction and N as the number of elements in the vertical direction. The required number is N + Q × N for the optical modulator, one dispersion fiber group for vertical control, Q for horizontal control, and N wavelength variable light sources for horizontal control. As described above, since there are many components, it is difficult to reduce the size and weight of the apparatus, and the cost of the apparatus increases.

  In addition, since the delay time or phase cannot be controlled independently for each antenna element in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, it is possible to correct for variations in optical fiber or microwave length or fluctuations. There was also a problem that it was difficult.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to obtain a small and lightweight real-time delay type optically controlled array antenna capable of two-dimensional beam control.

  An optical control type array antenna apparatus according to the present invention includes a first optical modulator that frequency-modulates light output from a first wavelength tunable light source into a first microwave, and a modulation by the first optical modulator. A delay time difference distribution according to the wavelength of the input light is formed and output between the first optical distributor for branching the modulated light into a plurality of light and each branched light branched by the first optical distributor. A first optical delay time distribution forming unit; a plurality of first optical demultiplexers for branching each branched light in which a delay time difference distribution is formed by the first optical delay time distribution forming unit; A plurality of first photoelectric converters that convert each branched light output from the first optical demultiplexer into the first microwave, and light output from the second wavelength variable light source is converted to the second micro wave. A second optical modulator that frequency modulates the wave, and a modulation modulated by the second optical modulator. A second optical distributor that splits the light into a plurality of light beams, and a delay time distribution corresponding to the wavelength of the input light between each branched light distributed by the second optical distributor and output the second optical distributor An optical delay time distribution forming unit; a plurality of second optical demultiplexers for branching each branched light in which a delay time difference distribution is formed by the second optical delay time distribution forming unit; A plurality of second photoelectric converters for converting each branched light output from the optical demultiplexer into the second microwave; the first microwave output from the first photoelectric converter; A plurality of microwave mixers that output a sum of the second microwaves output from each of the second photoelectric converters; and an array antenna that radiates microwave signals output from the plurality of microwave mixers into space. It is equipped with.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to significantly reduce the number of components, and it is possible to obtain an optically controlled array antenna apparatus capable of two-dimensional beam control that is effective in reducing size, weight, and cost.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an optical control type TTD array antenna apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The optical control type TTD array antenna apparatus shown in FIG. 1 outputs from a first wavelength tunable laser 2 as a wavelength tunable light source that outputs laser light of a predetermined wavelength in accordance with a control signal from the first wavelength tunable laser control apparatus 1. A first optical modulator 4 that frequency-modulates the received light into a first microwave input from the first microwave input terminal 3, and a plurality of modulated lights modulated by the first optical modulator 4. Optical delay time distribution forming means for forming and outputting a distribution of delay time differences according to the wavelength of the input light between the branched first optical distributor 5 and each branched light branched by the first optical distributor 5 As a first dispersion optical fiber prism 20 and a plurality of first optical demultiplexers 30-1 to 30- that branch the respective branched lights having a delay time difference distribution formed by the first dispersion optical fiber prism 20. M and the first optical demultiplexers 30-1 to 30-3 And a plurality of first photoelectric converter 40-1-1~40-M-N for converting the branched light to the first microwave output from -M.

  In addition, the light output from the second wavelength tunable laser 12 serving as a wavelength tunable light source that outputs laser light having a predetermined wavelength in accordance with a control signal from the second wavelength tunable laser control device 11 is supplied to the second microwave input terminal. A second optical modulator 14 that frequency-modulates the second microwave input from 13, a second optical distributor 15 that branches the modulated light modulated by the second optical modulator 14 into a plurality of parts, A second dispersion optical fiber prism 22 as an optical delay time distribution forming means for forming and outputting a distribution of delay time differences according to the wavelength of the input light between the branched lights branched by the second optical distributor 15; A plurality of second optical demultiplexers 31-1 to 31 -N for branching each branched light in which a delay time difference distribution is formed by the second dispersion optical fiber prism 22, and a second optical demultiplexer 31. Each branch output from -1 to 31-N The and a plurality of second photoelectric converters 41-1-1~41-M-N for converting the second microwave.

  Further, the first microwaves output from the first photoelectric converters 40-1-1-1 to 40-MN and the outputs from the second photoelectric converters 41-1-1-1 to 41-MN. Output from the plurality of microwave mixers 50-1-1-1 to 50-MN and the plurality of microwave mixers 50-1-1-1 to 50-MN. And an array antenna 61 composed of antenna elements 60-1-1-1 to 60-MN for radiating microwave signals to the space.

  The solid line in FIG. 1 represents the connection of an optical signal such as an optical fiber cable, and the broken line represents the connection of an electrical signal such as a microwave coaxial cable.

  Next, the operation will be described. The first wavelength tunable laser 2 outputs laser light having a predetermined wavelength in accordance with a control signal from the first wavelength tunable laser control device 1. The output laser light from the first wavelength tunable laser 2 is input to the first optical modulator 4 via an optical fiber. The laser beam input to the first optical modulator 4 is modulated and output by the first microwave input from the first microwave input terminal 3. The modulated light modulated by the first optical modulator 4 is branched into a plurality (M) by the first optical distributor 5 and is incident on the first dispersion optical fiber prism 20.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the first dispersion optical fiber prism 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the first dispersion optical fiber prism 20 can be composed of high-dispersion optical fibers 21-1 to 21-N having different chromatic dispersion amounts having different lengths. Since the group delay time after propagating through the high-dispersion optical fiber is proportional to the length and wavelength of the fiber, each high-dispersion fiber can be changed by changing the wavelength of light input to a plurality of high-dispersion fibers having different lengths. It is possible to control the group delay time of the light emitted from. A similar function can be realized by using a chirped fiber grating or the like instead of the high dispersion fiber.

  Each laser beam output from each optical fiber of the first dispersion optical fiber prism 20 is branched into a plurality (N) of optical demultiplexers 30-1 to 30-M via the optical fibers. The Each branched light is input to the photoelectric converters 40-1-1-1 to 40-MN via optical fibers, and is converted into first microwaves.

  On the other hand, the second wavelength tunable laser 12 outputs laser light having a predetermined wavelength in accordance with a control signal from the second wavelength tunable laser control device 11. The output laser light from the second wavelength tunable laser 12 is input to the second optical modulator 14 via the optical fiber. The laser light input to the second optical modulator 14 is modulated and output by the second microwave input from the second microwave input terminal 13. The modulated light modulated by the second optical modulator 14 is branched into a plurality (N) of light by the second light distributor 15, and each enters the second dispersion optical fiber prism 22.

  Each branched light from the second optical distributor 15 is delayed by a second dispersion optical fiber prism 22, similar to the first dispersion optical fiber prism 20, with a delay time difference determined by the wavelength of the second wavelength tunable laser 12. Are each output. Each output light is branched into M pieces by the second optical demultiplexers 31-1 to 31-N via optical fibers. Each branched light is input to the second photoelectric converters 41-1-1 to 41 -MN via optical fibers, and is converted into second microwaves.

  The microwave mixers 50-1-1 to 50 -MN receive the first microwave and the second microwave, and the sum component of the frequency of the first microwave and the frequency of the second microwave And the difference component is output. Here, for example, when the first microwave is input as an intermediate frequency (IF) signal and the second microwave is input as a local (LO) signal to the microwave mixers 50-1-1-1 to 50-MN. The microwave of the frequency component of the sum of the first and second frequencies is output. At this time, the phase distribution of the output signals of the mixers 50-1-1-1 to 50-MN is the sum of the phases of the first and second microwaves, respectively.

  The antenna elements 60-1-1 to 60 -MN constituting the array antenna 61 receive the microwave signals, and the microwave signals are radiated from the array antenna 61.

Here, the phase distribution (delay time distribution) of the microwave signal will be described.
The laser light output from the first dispersion optical fiber prism 20 is converted into a predetermined delay time distribution by the wavelength of the first wavelength tunable laser 2. Each laser beam is converted into a microwave by the photoelectric converters 41-1-1 to 41 -MN while maintaining a phase (delay time) difference from each other.

  Similarly, the laser light output from the second dispersion optical fiber prism 22 also has a predetermined delay time distribution according to the wavelength of the second wavelength tunable laser 12, and the second photoelectric converter while maintaining the distribution. 41-1-1 to 40-MN are respectively converted into microwaves.

  In the microwave mixers 50-1-1 to 50 -MN, the sum component of the first delay time distribution and the second delay time distribution is output. Therefore, depending on the wavelength of the first wavelength tunable laser 2. The beam scanning in the horizontal direction can be performed in the vertical direction by the wavelength of the second wavelength tunable laser 12, and two-dimensional beam scanning can be performed.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, since the microwave signal for horizontal beam scanning and the microwave signal in the vertical direction are formed separately, the required number of optical modulators is 2. In addition, since the number of dispersion optical fiber prisms (described as a dispersion fiber group in the conventional example) can be reduced to two, and the number of wavelength tunable lasers can be decreased to two, the number of parts can be greatly reduced. Effective for miniaturization, light weight and low cost.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the first embodiment described above, two-dimensional beam scanning is realized by controlling the wavelengths of the two wavelength tunable lasers. Next, an embodiment in which beam shape control and scanning are performed together. Will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an optically controlled TTD array antenna apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In the optical control type TTD array antenna apparatus shown in FIG. 3, the same parts as those shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. The optical control type TTD array antenna apparatus shown in FIG. 3 uses the first and second optical modulators 4 and 14 shown in FIG. A plurality of optical modulators 4-1 to 4 -M and 14-1 to 14 -N that perform frequency modulation to microwaves according to the second desired phase distribution are provided.

  Here, each of the plurality of optical modulators 4-1 to 4 -M has a branching micro wave that is obtained by branching the microwave signal input from the first microwave signal input terminal 3 into a plurality of parts by the first microwave distributor 101. A wave signal, which is phase-modulated by each of the microwave phase shifters 103-1 to 103-M in accordance with an input signal from the phase control input terminal 102, is input as an input modulation signal and branched by the first optical distributor 5. Each branched light is modulated and input to the first dispersion optical fiber prism 20. The plurality of optical modulators 14-1 to 14 -N are processed in the same manner, and each branched light branched by the second optical distributor 15 is modulated and input to the second dispersion optical fiber prism 22.

  Next, the operation will be described. The first laser light emitted from the first wavelength tunable laser 2 is branched into M beams by the first light distributor 5 and input to the first light modulators 4-1 to 4 -M, respectively. Further, the microwave signal input from the first microwave signal input terminal 3 is branched into a plurality of M pieces by the first microwave distributor 101. Each branched microwave signal is converted into a phase-modulated microwave signal in accordance with an input signal from the phase control input terminal 102 by the microwave transfer units 103-1 to 103 -M, respectively, and each of the optical modulators 4-1 to 4-1. It becomes an input modulation signal to 4-M. The modulated light output from each of the optical modulators 4-1 to 4 -M is input to the first dispersion optical fiber prism 20, and the optical distributors 30-1 to 30 -M are similar to the first embodiment. It branches and is converted into a microwave signal by the photoelectric converters 40-1-1-1 to 40-MN, respectively.

  On the other hand, the second laser light emitted from the second wavelength tunable laser 12 is branched into N light beams by the second light distributor 15 and input to the second light modulators 14-1 to 14-N, respectively. . A microwave signal input from the second microwave signal input terminal 13 is branched into a plurality of N signals by the second microwave distributor 111. Each branched microwave signal is converted into a microwave signal that has undergone phase modulation in accordance with an input signal from the phase control input terminal 112 by each of the microwave transfer devices 113-1 to 113-N. 14-N is an input modulation signal. The modulated light output from each of the optical modulators 14-1 to 14-N is input to the second dispersion optical fiber prism 22, and the optical distributors 31-1 to 31-M are similar to the first embodiment. It branches and is converted into a microwave signal by the photoelectric converters 41-1-1-1 to 41-MN.

  Therefore, according to the second embodiment, the laser beams emitted from the first wavelength tunable laser 2 and the second wavelength tunable laser 12 are converted into microwaves, respectively, and microwave mixers 50-1-1-1 to 50-M. -N is frequency converted. At this time, the horizontal shape of the beam radiated from the array antenna 61 is controlled by controlling the phase distribution of each microwave input to the first optical modulators 4-1 to 4 -M, and the second By controlling the phase distribution of each microwave input to the optical modulators 14-1 to 14 -N, the vertical shape of the beam radiated from the array antenna 61 can be controlled.

  Further, by controlling the wavelength of the first tunable laser 2, it is possible to scan the beam in the horizontal direction while maintaining the beam shape, and by controlling the wavelength of the second tunable laser 12. The beam can be scanned in the vertical direction.

  In addition, the first optical modulators 4-1 to 4-M invert the phase distribution in the horizontal direction by 180 degrees with respect to the central element, thereby scanning the beam while forming a null in the horizontal direction. Is possible.

  Similarly, a null is formed in the vertical direction by the second optical modulators 14-1 to 14-N, and the first and second optical modulators 4-1 to 4-M and 14-1 to 14- With N, it is possible to form a null in the horizontal and vertical directions and perform scanning.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an optical control type TTD array antenna apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In the optical control type TTD array antenna apparatus shown in FIG. 4, the same components as those shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. The optical control type TTD array antenna apparatus shown in FIG. 4 has first and second optical frequency / phase conversions instead of the optical modulators 4-1 to 4-M and 14-1 to 14-N shown in FIG. Devices 120-1 to 120-M and 130-1 to 130-N are provided.

Next, the operation will be described. The first laser light emitted from the first wavelength tunable laser 2 is branched into M pieces by the first optical distributor 5 and input to the first optical frequency / phase converters 120-1 to 120-M, respectively. Is done. In the optical frequency / phase converters 120-1 to 120 -M, the input light is divided into two, and the frequency of one light is shifted according to the frequency of the first microwave input from the first microwave input terminal 3. The phase of the other light is shifted in accordance with the phase control signal input from the phase control input terminal 102. Synthesizes and outputs each branched light whose frequency and phase are shifted. For example, assuming that the output light of the first wavelength tunable laser 2 is sin (2π · fc1 · t), the output light from the first optical frequency / phase converters 120-1 to 120-M is sin [2π (Fc1 + f _RF 1) t] and sin (2π · fc1 · t + φ1). The frequency shift amount is set to f _RF 1 and the phase shift amount is set to φ1. Further, frequency shift and phase shift may be performed on one of the two branched light beams. In this case, the output light becomes two lights of sin [2π (fc + f _RF ) t + φ] and sin (2π · fc · t).

  Such optical frequency / phase converters 120-1 to 120-M can be realized by an optical frequency shifter using an acoustooptic effect, an optical phase modulator using an electrooptic effect, or the like. The first converted light output from each of the first optical frequency / phase converters 120-1 to 120-M is input to the first dispersion optical fiber prism 20, and light distribution is performed in the same manner as in the second embodiment. Are branched by the devices 30-1 to 30-M and converted into microwave signals by the photoelectric converters 40-1-1 to MN.

On the other hand, the second laser light emitted from the second wavelength tunable laser 12 is branched into N pieces by the second optical distributor 15, and the second optical frequency / phase converters 130-1 to 130-N are respectively branched. Is input. In the second optical frequency / phase converters 130-1 to 130-N, the frequency shift is performed by the second microwave frequency in the same manner as the first optical frequency / phase converters 120-1 to 120-M. The combined light phase-shifted by the phase control signal is output. At this time, if the output light of the second wavelength tunable laser 12 is set to sin (2π · fc2 · t), the output light from the second optical frequency / phase converter is sin [2π (fc2 + f _RF 2) t. ] And sin (2π · fc2 · t + φ2). The frequency shift amount is set to f _RF 2 and the phase shift amount is set to φ2.

  The converted lights output from the second optical frequency / phase converters 130-1 to 130 -N are respectively input to the second dispersion optical fiber prism 22, and as in the second embodiment, the optical distributor 31- 1 to 31-N and the photoelectric converters 41-1-1-1 to 41-MN are converted into microwave signals.

  Therefore, according to the third embodiment, the laser beams emitted from the first wavelength tunable laser 2 and the second wavelength tunable laser 12 are converted into microwaves, respectively, and microwave mixers 50-1-1-1 to 50-M. The frequency is converted by −N, and the same function as in the second embodiment can be realized.

  In the second embodiment, since the phase of the microwave superimposed on the optical signal is controlled, a transporter having a size on the order of the wavelength of the microwave is required. Since the phase is controlled, the size of the transfer device can be in the order of the wavelength of the light, which is effective for reducing the size and weight of the apparatus compared to the second embodiment.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an optical control type TTD array antenna apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In the optical control type TTD array antenna apparatus shown in FIG. 5, the same parts as those shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. The optically controlled TTD array antenna apparatus shown in FIG. 5 uses the light output from the first wavelength tunable laser 2 instead of the first optical modulator 4 and the first optical distributor 5 shown in FIG. A first optical frequency converter 140 that converts two light beams having a frequency difference detuned (frequency shifted) by the first microwave input from the first microwave input terminal 3; and a first optical frequency converter The lens 200 serving as a beam converting device that converts one of the light beams 140 output to the first signal light beam 210 and the signal light beam 210 from the lens 200 are desired according to an input signal from the control signal input terminal 201. The first spatial phase modulator 202 that converts and modulates a signal light beam having a phase distribution of λ and the other light output from the first optical frequency converter 140 is a lens as a beam converter that converts the other light to the local light beam 211. 204, a beam combiner 203 as a light combiner that spatially combines the signal light beam and the local light beam, and a first optical fiber array 205 that spatially samples the combined light beam 212 from the beam combiner 203. And.

  Similarly, instead of the second optical modulator 14 and the second optical distributor 15 shown in FIG. 1, a second optical frequency conversion device 141, a lens 220, a second spatial phase modulator 222, A lens 224, a beam combiner 223, and a second optical fiber array 225 are provided.

Next, the operation will be described. The light emitted from the first wavelength tunable laser 2 is branched into two by the first optical frequency converter 140 using the microwave signal input from the microwave input terminal 3 as an input, and between the two branched lights. The frequency difference becomes a microwave and is output. The output light on one side is signal light and the other is local light. Such an optical frequency conversion device 140 is realized by using a Mach-Zehnder optical modulator using LiNbO ₃ or the like. The signal light is radiated to the space, converted into a signal light beam 210 by the lens 200, and then input to the first spatial light modulator 202. In the first spatial light modulator 202, the signal light beam 210 is converted into a signal light beam 210 having a desired phase distribution by an input signal from the spatial light modulator control signal input terminal 201, and enters the beam combiner 203. To do. As a spatial phase modulator, it has been put into practical use, for example, by liquid crystal.

  On the other hand, the local light beam is also radiated into the space, converted into the local light beam 211 by the lens 204, and then spatially combined with the signal light beam 210 by the beam combiner 203. The combined beam light 212 enters each optical fiber of the first optical fiber array 205 and is converted into a delay time distribution corresponding to the wavelength of the first wavelength tunable laser 2 by the first dispersion optical fiber prism 20. The

  Similarly, the light emitted from the second wavelength tunable laser 12 is converted into two lights of the second signal light and the second local light by the second frequency converter 141, and is radiated to the space. By 220 and 224, the second signal light beam 230 and the local light beam 231 are obtained. The second signal light beam 230 is converted into a signal light beam 230 having a desired phase distribution by the second spatial phase modulator 222 and is incident on the beam combiner 223. The second local light beam 231 also enters the beam combiner 223 and is spatially combined with the signal light beam 230. The combined beam light 232 enters each optical fiber of the second optical fiber array 225 and is converted into a delay time distribution according to the wavelength of the second wavelength tunable laser 12 by the second dispersion optical fiber prism 22. The

  Therefore, according to the fourth embodiment, since the phase distribution of the light wave is controlled by using the first and second spatial phase modulators 202 and 222, the phase modulation function is increased with respect to the increase in the number of antenna elements. The increase in size is small.

Embodiment 5 FIG.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an optical control type TTD array antenna apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. In the optical control type TTD array antenna apparatus shown in FIG. 6, the same parts as those shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. The optical control type TTD array antenna apparatus shown in FIG. 6 includes a second optical frequency converter 141, a lens 220, a second spatial phase modulator 222, a lens 224, a beam combiner 223 shown in FIG. Instead of the second optical fiber array 225, an optical modulator 14 and an optical distributor 15 are provided. The optical fiber array 205 is a two-dimensional optical fiber array in which a plurality of N layers are stacked.

  Next, the operation will be described. The light emitted from the first wavelength tunable laser 2 is converted into signal light and local light by the first optical frequency converter 140 using the microwave signal input from the microwave input terminal 3 as an input. . The signal light is radiated into the space, converted into a signal light beam 210 by the lens 200, and then input to the spatial light modulator 202. In the spatial light modulator 202, the signal light beam 210 is converted into a signal light beam 210 having a desired two-dimensional phase distribution by an input signal from the spatial light modulator control signal input terminal 201, and enters the beam combiner 203. .

  On the other hand, the local light beam is also radiated into the space, converted into the local light beam 211 by the lens 204, and then spatially combined with the signal light beam 210 by the beam combiner 203. The combined beam light 212 is input to each optical fiber of the two-dimensional optical fiber array 205 in which an optical fiber array is stacked in a plurality of N layers. The light incident on each optical fiber array constituting each two-dimensional optical fiber array 205 has a delay time distribution corresponding to the wavelength of the first tunable laser 2 by each of the dispersion optical fiber prisms 20-1 to 20-N. Then, the photoelectric converters 40-1-1-1 to 40-MN are converted into microwave signals holding the delay time distribution.

  The light emitted from the second wavelength tunable laser 12 is modulated by the second microwave by the optical modulator 13, branched into a plurality of N by the second optical distributor 15, and each of the second dispersions. The light enters the optical fiber prism 22.

  Therefore, according to the fifth embodiment, since the phase distribution can be controlled two-dimensionally with respect to the first signal light beam 210, the shape of the beam radiated from the array antenna can be controlled two-dimensionally, It becomes possible to scan the beam in the horizontal direction.

  In addition, since the two-dimensional spatial phase modulator 203 can independently control the phase for all the antenna elements 60-1-1-1 to 60-MN, each antenna element 60-1-1-1. It is also possible to calibrate the length variation between the microwave cable and the optical fiber connected to 60-MN.

Embodiment 6 FIG.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an optical control type TTD array antenna apparatus according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. In the optical control type TTD array antenna apparatus shown in FIG. 7, the same components as those shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. The optical control type TTD array antenna apparatus shown in FIG. 7 is a light that modulates the intensity distribution of the signal light beam 210 from the lens 200 by the input signal from the control signal input terminal 201 instead of the spatial phase modulator 202 shown in FIG. A spatial modulator 300 and an optical lens 301 as a Fourier transform optical system for Fourier transforming the modulated light from the spatial light modulator 300 are provided.

  That is, in Embodiments 5 and 6 described above, the phase distribution is controlled using the spatial phase modulators 202 and 222, but the phase distribution is controlled using a Fourier transform optical system as shown in FIG. Also good. Here, when the spatial intensity distribution of the signal light beam 210 is set to a desired antenna radiation beam shape, the spatial intensity distribution of the signal light is Fourier-transformed on the incident surface of the optical fiber array 205 by the Fourier transform optical system 301. The distributed distribution is formed and sampled into the optical fiber array 205. This is converted into microwaves by the photoelectric conversion devices 40-1-1-1 to 40-MN, and the shape of the beam radiated from the array antenna 61 into the space is similar to the spatial intensity distribution of the signal light. . Furthermore, by controlling the wavelengths of the first and second wavelength tunable lasers 2 and 12, it becomes possible to scan the beam while maintaining the beam shape.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the optical control type TTD array antenna apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the 1st dispersion | distribution optical fiber prism 20 of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the optical control type TTD array antenna apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the optical control type TTD array antenna apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the optical control type TTD array antenna apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the optical control type TTD array antenna apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the light control type TTD array antenna apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 6 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st tunable laser control apparatus, 2 1st tunable laser, 3 1st microwave input terminal, 4,4-1 to 4-M 1st optical modulator, 5 1st optical splitter , 11 2nd wavelength tunable laser control device, 12 2nd wavelength tunable laser, 13 2nd microwave input terminal, 14, 14-1 to 14-N 2nd optical modulator, 15 2nd optical distribution 20 First dispersion optical fiber prism, 21-1 to 21-N High dispersion optical fiber, 22 Second dispersion optical fiber prism, 30-1 to 30-M First optical demultiplexer, 31-1 To 31-N second optical demultiplexer, 40-1-1 to 40-MN first photoelectric converter, 41-1-1 to 41-MN second photoelectric converter, 50- 1-1 to 50-MN microwave mixer, 60-1-1 to 60-MN antenna element, 61 array antenna, 1 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st microwave distributor, 102 phase control input terminal, 103-1 to 103-M microwave phase shifter, 111 2nd microwave distributor, 112 phase control input terminal, 120-1 to 120-M 1st optical frequency / phase conversion device, 130-1 to 130-N 2nd optical frequency / phase conversion device, 140 1st optical frequency conversion device, 141 2nd optical frequency conversion device, 200 lens, 201 control Signal input terminal 202 first spatial phase modulator 203 beam combiner 204 lens 205 first optical fiber array 210 first signal light beam 211 local light beam 212 combined light beam 220 lens 222 second spatial phase modulator, 224 lens, 223 beam combiner, 225 second optical fiber array, 300 optical spatial modulator, 301 optical lens .

Claims (7)

A first optical modulator that frequency-modulates light output from the first wavelength-tunable light source into a first microwave;
A first optical distributor for branching the modulated light modulated by the first optical modulator into a plurality of parts;
First optical delay time distribution forming means for forming and outputting a distribution of delay time differences according to the wavelength of input light between the branched lights branched by the first optical distributor;
A plurality of first optical demultiplexers for branching each branched light in which a delay time difference distribution is formed by the first optical delay time distribution forming means;
A plurality of first photoelectric converters for converting each branched light output from the plurality of first optical demultiplexers into the first microwave;
A second optical modulator that frequency-modulates light output from the second variable wavelength light source into a second microwave;
A second optical distributor for branching the modulated light modulated by the second optical modulator into a plurality of parts;
Second optical delay time distribution forming means for forming and outputting a distribution of delay time differences according to the wavelength of input light between the branched lights distributed by the second optical distributor;
A plurality of second optical demultiplexers for branching each branched light in which the delay time difference distribution is formed by the second optical delay time distribution forming means;
A plurality of second photoelectric converters for converting each branched light output from the plurality of second optical demultiplexers into the second microwave;
A plurality of microwave mixers for outputting a sum of the first microwave output from the first photoelectric converter and the second microwave output from the second photoelectric converter;
An optically controlled array antenna apparatus comprising: an array antenna that radiates microwave signals output from the plurality of microwave mixers into space. A first light distributor for branching the light output from the first variable wavelength light source into a plurality of light sources;
A plurality of first optical modulators that frequency-modulate microwaves with a first desired phase distribution with respect to each branched light branched by the first optical distributor;
A first optical delay time distribution forming device that forms a delay time distribution for the modulated light modulated by the plurality of first optical modulators;
A plurality of first optical demultiplexers for branching each branched light in which a delay time difference distribution is formed by the first optical delay time distribution forming means;
A plurality of first photoelectric converters for converting each branched light output from the plurality of first optical demultiplexers into the first microwave;
A second light distributor for branching the light output from the second variable wavelength light source into a plurality of light sources;
A plurality of second optical modulators that frequency-modulate each of the branched lights branched by the second optical distributor into microwaves with a second desired phase distribution;
A second optical delay time distribution forming device that forms a delay time distribution for the modulated light modulated by the plurality of second optical modulators;
A plurality of second optical demultiplexers for branching each branched light in which the delay time difference distribution is formed by the second optical delay time distribution forming means;
A plurality of second photoelectric converters for converting each branched light output from the plurality of second optical demultiplexers into the second microwave;
A plurality of microwave mixers for outputting a sum of the first microwave output from the first photoelectric converter and the second microwave output from the second photoelectric converter;
An optically controlled array antenna apparatus comprising: an array antenna that radiates microwave signals output from the plurality of microwave mixers into space. A first light distributor for branching the light output from the first variable wavelength light source into a plurality of light sources;
A first optical frequency that outputs light that has been frequency-shifted by a first microwave frequency and combined light that has been phase-shifted by a first phase control signal with respect to each branched light that has been branched by the first optical distributor. A phase converter,
A first optical delay time distribution forming device that forms a delay time distribution for the converted light from the first optical frequency / phase conversion device;
A plurality of first optical demultiplexers for branching each branched light in which a delay time difference distribution is formed by the first optical delay time distribution forming means;
A plurality of first photoelectric converters for converting each branched light output from the plurality of first optical demultiplexers into the first microwave;
A second light distributor for branching the light output from the second variable wavelength light source into a plurality of light sources;
A second optical frequency that outputs light that is frequency-shifted by a second microwave frequency and combined light that is phase-shifted by a second phase control signal for each branched light branched by the second optical distributor. A phase converter,
A second optical delay time distribution forming device that forms a delay time distribution for the converted light from the second optical frequency / phase converter;
A plurality of second optical demultiplexers for branching each branched light in which the delay time difference distribution is formed by the second optical delay time distribution forming means;
A plurality of second photoelectric converters for converting each branched light output from the plurality of second optical demultiplexers into the second microwave;
A plurality of microwave mixers for outputting a sum of the first microwave output from the first photoelectric converter and the second microwave output from the second photoelectric converter;
An optically controlled array antenna apparatus comprising: an array antenna that radiates microwave signals output from the plurality of microwave mixers into space. A first optical frequency converter that converts light output from the first wavelength tunable light source into two lights having a frequency difference detuned by the first microwave;
A first signal light beam conversion device that converts one light output from the first optical frequency conversion device into a first signal light beam;
A first spatial phase modulator that modulates a spatial phase distribution of the first signal light beam from the first beam converter;
A first local light beam conversion device that converts the other light output from the first beam conversion device into a local light beam;
A first light combiner that spatially combines the signal light beam modulated via the first spatial phase modulator and the local light beam converted by the first local light beam converter;
A first optical fiber array for spatially sampling a combined light beam from the first light combiner;
A first optical delay time distribution forming device for forming a delay time distribution for the combined light beam from the first optical fiber array;
A plurality of first optical demultiplexers for branching each branched light in which a delay time difference distribution is formed by the first optical delay time distribution forming means;
A plurality of first photoelectric converters for converting each branched light output from the plurality of first optical demultiplexers into the first microwave;
A second optical frequency conversion device that converts light output from the second wavelength tunable light source into two lights having a frequency difference detuned by the first microwave;
A second signal light beam converter for converting one light output from the second optical frequency converter to a first signal light beam;
A second spatial phase modulator that modulates the spatial phase distribution of the first signal light beam from the second beam converter;
A second local light beam conversion device for converting the other light output from the second beam conversion device into a local light beam;
A second light combiner that spatially combines the signal light beam modulated via the second spatial phase modulator and the local light beam converted by the second local light beam converter;
A second optical fiber array for spatially sampling a combined light beam from the second light combiner;
A second optical delay time distribution forming device for forming a delay time distribution for the combined light beam from the second optical fiber array;
A plurality of second optical demultiplexers for branching each branched light in which the delay time difference distribution is formed by the second optical delay time distribution forming means;
A plurality of second photoelectric converters for converting each branched light output from the plurality of second optical demultiplexers into the second microwave;
A plurality of microwave mixers for outputting a sum of the first microwave output from the first photoelectric converter and the second microwave output from the second photoelectric converter;
An optically controlled array antenna apparatus comprising: an array antenna that radiates microwave signals output from the plurality of microwave mixers into space. A first optical frequency converter that converts light output from the first wavelength tunable light source into two lights having a frequency difference detuned by the first microwave;
A first signal light beam conversion device that converts one light output from the first optical frequency conversion device into a first signal light beam;
A first spatial phase modulator that modulates a spatial phase distribution of the first signal light beam from the first beam converter;
A first local light beam conversion device that converts the other light output from the first beam conversion device into a local light beam;
A first light combiner that spatially combines the signal light beam modulated via the first spatial phase modulator and the local light beam converted by the first local light beam converter;
An optical fiber array for spatially sampling a combined light beam from the first light combiner;
A first optical delay time distribution forming device for forming a delay time distribution for the combined light beam from the optical fiber array;
A plurality of first optical demultiplexers for branching each branched light in which a delay time difference distribution is formed by the first optical delay time distribution forming means;
A plurality of first photoelectric converters for converting each branched light output from the plurality of first optical demultiplexers into the first microwave;
An optical modulator that frequency-modulates the light output from the second tunable light source into a second microwave;
An optical distributor for branching the modulated light modulated by the optical modulator into a plurality of parts;
Second optical delay time distribution forming means for forming and outputting a distribution of delay time differences according to the wavelength of the input light between the branched lights distributed by the optical distributor;
A plurality of second optical demultiplexers for branching each branched light in which the delay time difference distribution is formed by the second optical delay time distribution forming means;
A plurality of second photoelectric converters for converting each branched light output from the plurality of second optical demultiplexers into the second microwave;
A plurality of microwave mixers for outputting a sum of the first microwave output from the first photoelectric converter and the second microwave output from the second photoelectric converter;
An optically controlled array antenna apparatus comprising: an array antenna that radiates microwave signals output from the plurality of microwave mixers into space. In the optical control type array antenna device according to claim 5,
The optical fiber array comprises a two-dimensional optical fiber array. An optical control array antenna device. A first optical frequency converter that converts light output from the first wavelength tunable light source into two lights having a frequency difference detuned by the first microwave;
A first signal light beam conversion device that converts one light output from the first optical frequency conversion device into a first signal light beam;
An optical spatial modulator that modulates the intensity distribution of the first signal light beam from the first signal light beam converter;
A Fourier transform optical system for Fourier transforming the modulated light from the spatial light modulator;
A first local light beam conversion device that converts the other light output from the first beam conversion device into a local light beam;
A first light combiner that spatially combines the signal light beam modulated via the Fourier transform optical system and the local light beam converted by the first local light beam conversion device;
An optical fiber array for spatially sampling a combined light beam from the first light combiner;
A first optical delay time distribution forming device for forming a delay time distribution for the combined light beam from the optical fiber array;
A plurality of first optical demultiplexers for branching each branched light in which a delay time difference distribution is formed by the first optical delay time distribution forming means;
A plurality of first photoelectric converters for converting each branched light output from the plurality of first optical demultiplexers into the first microwave;
An optical modulator that frequency-modulates the light output from the second tunable light source into a second microwave;
An optical distributor for branching the modulated light modulated by the optical modulator into a plurality of parts;
Second optical delay time distribution forming means for forming and outputting a distribution of delay time differences according to the wavelength of the input light between the branched lights distributed by the optical distributor;
A plurality of second optical demultiplexers for branching each branched light in which the delay time difference distribution is formed by the second optical delay time distribution forming means;
A plurality of second photoelectric converters for converting each branched light output from the plurality of second optical demultiplexers into the second microwave;
A plurality of microwave mixers for outputting a sum of the first microwave output from the first photoelectric converter and the second microwave output from the second photoelectric converter;
An optically controlled array antenna apparatus comprising: an array antenna that radiates microwave signals output from the plurality of microwave mixers into space.

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