An Acousto-Optic (AO) Range-Doppler Processor is described that is designed to interface to an advanced ground-based radar system developed by the U.S. Army Missile Command (MICOM). Demonstration of this optical processing technology in the MICOM radar is the primary objective of this DARPA-sponsored Transition of Optical Processors into Systems (TOPS) program. This paper presents a description of the MICOM radar system, highlights the design of the AO Range-Doppler Processor, and describes the required radio frequency (RF) and digital electronic interfaces to achieve real-time operation in the MICOM radar. Insertion plans for this TOPS program are also summarized.

Date Published: 24 August 1992
PDF: 12 pages
Proc. SPIE 1704, Advances in Optical Information Processing V, (24 August 1992); doi: 10.1117/12.139907

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 1704:
Advances in Optical Information Processing V
Dennis R. Pape, Editor(s)