High-Speed Three-Channel Photonic Time Delay Unit

An innovative, super-miniature, fast-switching array-based photonic time delay device is being developed for the active electronically scanned-array (AESA) MDA and Navy radars. The design is based on the fast electro-optic effect, the super miniature fiber-lens collimation array, and the existing WDM photonic true time delay technologies. In Phase I Agiltron has successfully demonstrated the core switching device operation which has met or exceeded the program performance targets. This technology will generate significantly improved replacement components, and represents reductions in cost, power, and maintenance time for existing phased array radars. The phase II development will prototype the fast speed based three-channel photonic time delay unit (TDU) by implementing the fast switching technique developed during Phase I into fiber optic WDM-true time delay arrays developed at Agiltron. Agiltron is prepared for Phase II, having established a relationship with the MDA radar prime, Raytheon, and generated device requirements for later testing and insertion into the THAAD radar program. Agiltron, teamed with the University of Connecticut, is well suited for this development program using this novel approach, being an existing fiber optic component supplier and having previously commercialized optoelectronics devices from R & D programs.