A remote active T/R module using electro-optic true-time-delay line for X-band radars

Crystal Research, Inc. (CRI) proposes to develop a first-time all-photonic scheme for wide-band beam steering of X-band Radar (XBR). The innovation is a remote active T/R module using electro-optic true-time-delay line, which will significantly improve beam steering performance of fast response time, wide bandwidth, frequency-independent operation with reduced power consumption and increased remoting length for future XBR systems. Unlike any existing approaches, the unique feature of the proposed device is that a large number of different time-delayed signals can be generated simultaneously at a single output end based on innovative electro-optic Bragg gratings in a single-mode optical fiber. Another unique feature of proposed devices is the low loss propagation immune to electro-magnetic interference. This property makes the proposed device idea for remoting the transmitter/receiver (T/R) module in a large scale XBR. It allows placement of each T/R module’s receiver and exciter in any location of interest, where constrains of the size and weight can be significantly relaxed. A fully packaged a remote active T/R module with electro-optic true-time-delay functionality will be delivered by the end of Phase II. The resulting device presents a promising product for advancing future active XBR arrays.