Fast Switching Array for WDM-Photonic Time Delay

An innovative concept of a fast switching array for high bit-resolution photonic time delay that can be scalable to the ESA systems of MDA/Navy radars is proposed. The design is based on Electro-Optic (EO) effect incorporated with super miniature fiber collimation array, which is suitable to integrate in the current developing fiber based photonic WDM-true time delay technologies. The new EO switching platform targets the switching speed faster than 1 micro-second with low insertion loss and low power consumption. The Phase I approach will demonstrate a fast switching unit on bench, and verify the advance of key performances. The phase II development will prototype this switching array, and demonstrate the feasibility to integrate with fiber WDM-true time delay arrays for a multi channel module implementation. The team of Agiltron and University of Tufts will work on this unconventional approach by leveraging our recent breakthroughs in manufacturing high performance fiber delay lines, EO switch and VOA, high power fiber optic and WDM components. Our approach provides unprecedented performance in fast speed, low power consumption, small size and low fabrication cost.