• Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.466-472
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• 2003

In this paper, we proposed an optical true time-delay (TTD) feeder system for phased array antennas (PAAs). The system possesses high-speed beam scan capability since, in this scheme, different lengths of fiber delay-lines are selected by optical 2${\times}$2 MEMS switches at high speed. An optical TTD capable of beam scanning in one of eight different directions has been built for 10 GHz linear PAA systems. Experimental results on time delay measurements show that the maximum time delay error is less than 0.2 ps corresponding to a scan angle error of less than 0.84o. We have also designed a 10 GHz linear PAA composed of eight micro-strip patch antenna elements driven by the proposed TTD, and the radiation patterns of this PAA have been analyzed by simulation.

• Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.385-390
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• 2004

In this paper, we designed a 4-bit optical true time-delay(TTD) for phased array antennas(PAAs), which is composed of a wavelength-fixed optical source, 2 ${\times}$ 2 optical MEMS switches, and fiber-optic delay lines. A 4-bit TTD with a unit time delay difference of 6 ps for 10-GHz PAAs has been implemented. Measurement results on time delay show an error of -0.4 ps at maximum, corresponding to a radiation angle error of less than 1.63$^{\circ}$. Thus, the TTD implemented in this research performs in excellent agreement with theory. Each TTD line, composed of MEMS switches and fiber-optic delay lines, connected to the corresponding antenna element has insertion loss in between 1.36 ㏈ and 2.40 ㏈ depending upon the setup of the switches. On the other hand, the insertion loss difference between TTD lines was 0.32 ㏈ at maximum for a fixed radiation angle. The TTD structure proposed in this paper might be more reliable and economical than those previously proposed using tunable wavelength sources if proper power equalization either with gain control of RF amplifiers or variable attenuators is achieved.