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An optical processor for controlling a phased antenna array uses a frequency-shifted feedback cavity (FSFC), which includes a traveling-wave cavity. The FSFC incrementally delays and incrementally frequency shifts optical signals circulating in the traveling-wave cavity. Optical signals coupled out

An optical processor for controlling a phased antenna array uses a frequency-shifted feedback cavity (FSFC), which includes a traveling-wave cavity. The FSFC incrementally delays and incrementally frequency shifts optical signals circulating in the traveling-wave cavity. Optical signals coupled out of the FSFC are separated by frequency, hence by delay, and processed to control either or both transmit and receive beam-forming operations. The FSFC provides a receiver with multiple receive signals which have incremental values of frequency. Each frequency corresponds to an incremental time sampling of optical signals input into the FSFC. Transmit signals coupled out of the FSFC have frequency and phase relationships that result in short time-domain pulses when combined. Controlling modulation and frequency of the transmit signals achieves carrier interference multiple access, a new type of spread-spectrum communications.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [5.] An optical array processor for a transmitting RF antenna array comprisingan injection source for generating an electromagnetic transmit seed signal,a FSFC having a predetermined round-trip length, said FSFC being optically coupled to the injection source for circulating the seed sig

[ I claim:] [5.] An optical array processor for a transmitting RF antenna array comprisingan injection source for generating an electromagnetic transmit seed signal,a FSFC having a predetermined round-trip length, said FSFC being optically coupled to the injection source for circulating the seed signal, thus providing delay to the seed signal,a frequency shifter located inside said FSFC to shift the frequency of the seed signal by a predetermined shift frequency for generating a plurality of frequency-shifted transmit signals, the shift frequency of said frequency shifter and the round-trip length of said FSFC providing a predetermined relationship between wavelength and delay of the frequency-shifted transmit signals,an output-beam wavelength demultiplexer optically coupled to said FSFC for coupling a portion of the frequency-shifted transmit signals out of said FSFC and separating the frequency-shifted transmit signals with respect to wavelength to produce a plurality of wavelength-demultiplexed transmit signals, andan optical-to-RF signal converter coupled between said output-beam wavelength demultiplexer and said antenna array for converting the wavelength-demultiplexed transmit signals into a plurality of RF transmit signals, the RF transmit signals being radiated by said antenna array.