Paul M. Payson

Photonic beamformer for phased array antennas using a fiber grating prism

This letter presents, for the first time, measured data on a Bragg reflection grating based fiber-optic prism true time delay processor for transmit/receive phased array beamforming. Measurements taken over a 3.5-GHz bandwidth demonstrates high resolution beamsteering and highly linear low-noise phase data. The system takes maximum advantage of component reuse and fully integrates the transmit and receive modes in one efficient hardware compressive topology.

High-speed AJL8/APC polymer modulator

High-speed polymer modulators were fabricated using low-Vpi AJL8 chromophore in amorphous polycarbonate, and highly calibrated frequency response measurements were obtained using convenient coplanar-microstrip transitions. These Mach-Zehnder modulators show good frequency response to 50 GHz, with a loss and velocity mismatch-limited Vpi at 50 GHz <12 V. The measurements establish AJL8 as an excellent candidate for future military analog optical links

Radiation resistance of electro-optic polymer-based modulators

Mach–Zehnder interferometric electro-optic polymer modulators composed of highly nonlinear phenyltetraene bridge-type chromophores within an amorphous polycarbonate host matrix were investigated for their resistance to gamma rays and 25.6 MeV protons. No device failures were observed and the majority of irradiated modulators exhibited decreases in half-wave voltage and optical insertion losses compared to nonirradiated control samples undergoing aging processes. Irradiated device responses were attributed to scission, cross-linking, and free volume processes. The data suggests that strongly poled devices are less likely to de-pole under the influence of ionizing radiation.

A photonic implementation of a wide-band nulling system for phased arrays

This letter presents a novel architecture for independently steering broad-band nulls for phased array antennas. Measurements taken over a ten percent fractional bandwidth on a three-element proof-of-concept system shows a null depth of better than 40-dB uniform across the entire band in this laboratory setup. The architecture presented is best suited for small antenna array applications, for example self-guided airborne munitions. In a fully integrated, optimized system, null depths of 50-70 dB or greater across a multigigahertz bandwidth are anticipated and the critical factors, which influence this performance, are examined.

Photonic Architectures for Broadband Adaptive Nulling with Linear and Conformal Phased Array Antennas

This paper presents several photonic architectures for independently steering multiple broadband nulls for linear and conformal phased array antennas. Analytic expres sions that quantify bandwidth requirements are developed and both experimental and simulation results which demonstrate the antenna system performance are presented. In a fully integrated, optimized system, null depths in excess of 50 dB across a multigigahertz bandwidth are anticipated and the critical factors that influence this performance are examined.This paper presents several photonic architectures for independently steering multiple broadband nulls for linear and conformal phased array antennas. Analytic expres sions that quantify bandwidth requirements are developed and both experimental and simulation results which demonstrate the antenna system performance are presented. In a fully integrated, optimized system, null depths in excess of 50 dB across a multigigahertz bandwidth are anticipated and the critical factors that influence this performance are examined.

Behavior of NLO polymer modulators irradiated by gamma rays

Two second-order nonlinear optical chromophoric materials were investigated for their response to gamma-ray irradiations for doses ranging from approximately 10-104 krad(Si). Thin film polymer modulators composed of a mixture of amorphous polycarbonate and phenyltetraene [APC/CLD-1(CPW-1)] active regions with UV upper and lower UV claddings were investigated for their pre- and post-irradiation behavior. Modulator Vπ insertion loss, and extinction ratio responses were examined, while a blend of salmon deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)- hexadeCetylTriMethylAmmonium Chloride (CTMA) film samples were studied for their spectral response following irradiations over the spectral range λ=240-2600 nm. Following irradiation ranging from 9.6-104 krad(Si), the DNA/CTMA films exhibited losses in transmissivity over the spectral range λ=882-2600 nm and increased transmissivity over portions of the 240 nm < λ < 882 nm band. Data from the study also suggested that strongly poled APC/CPW-1 modulators operating at λ=1550 nm and exhibiting low Vπ values were less likely to have their half-wave voltages affected by ionizing radiation. The optical insertion losses for the majority of the APC/CPW-1 irradiated mdolators were found to decrease following irradiation. Discussion of the experimental results and mechanisms believed responsible for the post-irradiation behavior and results are presented.

Effect of electrode loss on the dynamic range of linearized directional coupler modulators

Numerical simulations were used to study the effect of electrode loss on the two-tone spur-free dynamic range (SFDR) of analog photonic links with linearized directional coupler modulators. Radio-frequency loss in the traveling wave electrode significantly limits the frequency bandwidth over which this class of electrooptic modulator can effectively enhance the SFDR

True-time-delay photonic beamformer for an L-band phased array radar

The problem of obtaining a true-time-delay photonic beamformer has recently been a topic of great interest. Many interesting and novel approaches to this problem have been studied. This paper examines the design, construction, and testing of a dynamic optical processor for the control of a 20-element phased array antenna operating at L-band (1.2-1.4 GHz). The approach taken here has several distinct advantages. The actual optical control is accomplished with a class of spatial light modulator known as a segmented mirror device (SMD). This allows for the possibility of controlling an extremely large number (tens of thousands) of antenna elements using integrated circuit technology. The SMD technology is driven by the HDTV and laser printer markets so ultimate cost reduction as well as technological improvements are expected. Optical splitting is efficiently accomplished using a diffractive optical element. This again has the potential for use in antenna array systems with a large number of radiating elements. The actual time delay is achieved using a single acousto-optic device for all the array elements. Acousto-optic device technologies offer sufficient delay as needed for a time steered array. The topological configuration is an optical heterodyne system, hence high, potentially millimeter wave center frequencies are possible by mixing two lasers of slightly differing frequencies. Finally, the entire system is spatially integrated into a 3D glass substrate. The integrated system provides the ruggedness needed in most applications and essentially eliminates the drift problems associated with free space optical systems. Though the system is presently being configured as a beamformer, it has the ability to operate as a general photonic signal processing element in an adaptive (reconfigurable) transversal frequency filter configuration. Such systems are widely applicable in jammer/noise canceling systems, broadband ISDN, and for spread spectrum secure communications. This paper also serves as an update of work-in-progress at the Rome Laboratory Photonics Center Optical Beamforming Lab. The multi-faceted aspects of the design and construction of this state-of-the-art beamforming project will be discussed. Experimental results which demonstrate the performance of the system to-date with regard to both maximum delay and resolution over a broad bandwidth are presented.

A photonic true time delay processor for Global Positioning System (GPS) null steering

This paper presents a novel architecture for independently steering broadband nulls for phased array antennas. Measurements taken over a ten percent fractional bandwidth on a three-element proof-of-concept system shows a null depth of better than 40 dB uniform across the entire band in this laboratory setup. The architecture presented is best suited for small antenna array applications, for example GPS guided airborne munitions. In a fully integrated, optimized system, null depths of 50-70 dB or greater across a multi-gigahertz bandwidth are anticipated and the critical factors, which influence this performance, are examined.

Fiber-optic-based null steering for conformal array antennas

This paper presents a photonic architecture for independently steering the broadband nulls of linear and conformal phased array antennas. Analytic expressions quantifying bandwidth requirements are developed and simulation results demonstrating array performance are presented.