Phased array antennas long were investigated to support the agile, multibeam radiating apertures with rapid reconfigurability needs of radar and communications. With the development of the Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC), phased array antennas having the stated characteristics are becoming realizable. However, at K-band frequencies (20 to 40 GHz) and higher, the problem of controlling the MMICs using conventional techniques either severely limits the array size or becomes insurmountable due to the close spacing of the radiating elements necessary to achieve the desired antenna performance. Investigations were made that indicate using fiber optics as a transmission line for control information for the MMICs provides a potential solution. By adding an optical interface circuit to pre-existing MMIC designs, it is possible to take advantage of the small size, lightweight, mechanical flexibility and RFI/EMI resistant characteristics of fiber optics to distribute MMIC control signals. The architecture, circuit development, testing and integration of optically controlled K-band MMIC phased array antennas are described.

Date Published: 1 June 1990
PDF: 5 pages
Proc. SPIE 1217, Optoelectronic Signal Processing for Phased-Array Antennas II, (1 June 1990); doi: 10.1117/12.18164

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 1217:
Optoelectronic Signal Processing for Phased-Array Antennas II
Brian M. Hendrickson; Gerhard A. Koepf, Editor(s)