Wideband photonics-based beamformer with multiple beams

The multi-beam beamformer can benefit MDA’s radar sensor and communication. In this program, Agiltron proposes a photonics-based, multi-beam, low-loss beamformer. Agiltron’s variable fiber optic time delay lines will provide true time delay for the beamformer to form, steer, point and track the RF beams for ground-base, airborne or other RF systems. The proposed beamformer, leveraging on the recent development of the photonic devices and components, obtains lots of advantages beyond the current technologies on broad frequency range; multi beams; reconfigurable, low RF insertion loss, high data rate; random steering; wide coverage and anti-jammers as well as low SWaP. In Phase I, we will build a model to simulate the overall beamformer, which includes the DFB laser, dispersion TTD, VOA, PD and other components. A two-beam 4-antenna testing module will be developed in Phase I for the evaluation of the technical approach. The evaluation and simulation in Phase I will provide results that will show how this powerful new module can widely benefit MDA and other DoD agents in radar and communications systems.