Ultra-Wideband Direction Finding Using a Fiber Optic Beamforming Processor.

Abstract

This paper describes a wideband electro-optic direction finding (DF) processor employing an array of laser diodes, an array of photodetectors, and a network of fiber optic delay lines. This DF filter offers a potential operational bandwidth in excess of 10 GHz and allows for multiple, simultaneous beam angular responses with peaks which are independent of frequency. Two eight-laser, two-beam laboratory test model DF devices, one utilizing multimode optical fiber and the other single-mode fiber, were constructed. These experimental optical beamforming filters are operable in the 100-2000 MHz frequency range and can simultaneously monitor two angles of arrival. Experiments were performed to determine the two systems sensitivity, dynamic range, angular resolution, and frequency response. It is concluded from theoretical and experimental results obtained that the multimode DF device is slightly superior in performance to the single-mode system due to the higher throughput optical power levels possible with multimode systems. Further, it is concluded that this fiber optic beamforming processor can be a useful device for ultra-wideband DF.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1988
Accession Number
ADA194861

Entities

People

  • Stephen A. Pappert

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Analyzers
  • Angle Of Arrival
  • Bandwidth
  • Detectors
  • Direction Finding
  • Dynamic Range
  • Fiber Optics
  • Fibers
  • Frequency
  • Frequency Bands
  • Frequency Response
  • Lasers
  • Optical Detection
  • Optical Detectors
  • Optical Fibers
  • Power Dividers
  • Power Levels

Fields of Study

  • Engineering
  • Physics

Readers

  • Optical Fiber Sensing and Electromagnetic Propagation.
  • Radio communications and signal processing.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy