Optical Control of Streerable Array Antennas with Optical MCMs

Foster-Miller, Inc. proposes to demonstrate a low cost, high density MMIC based active phased array transmitter incorporating true time delayed optical controls for use in military and commercial applications. The array architecture will be designed to be incorporated with Foster-Miller's innovative liquid crystal polymer (LCP) dielectric substrates and will use digital and MMIC ICs integrated in multilayered multichip modules (for the notch antenna feed and optical data transmission). The optical to electrical conversion will be performed using AMP's self-aligning silicon wafer boards as we implement the optical beam steering concept being developed at Princeton's Advanced Technology center for Photonics and Optoelectronic materials. Working closely with Princeton and with our team members, GTE Government Systems who is commercializing silicon waferboards for telecommunications, and Teledyne Electronic Technologies, we will in this Phase I design and model an optically controlled multifiber of the MCMs with optical fiber I/O. In the Phase II we will fabricate and test a functional array prototype module, demonstrating the excellent performance of our approach. Optically controlled phased arrays using our innovative packaging technology will open the door to a wide range of applications including weather radar (military and commercial FAA) and Theater High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) radars. The development of phased arrays for high data rate transmissions will result in applications in real time video and voice links, useful for battlefield map downloading as well as enhanced commercial entertainment products.