Fiber-optic Bragg grating true-time delay generator for broadband RF applications

A fiber-optic approach for low-loss true time delay of wideband RF signals for phased-array-antenna beamsteering is presented. An optical carrier modulated by the RF signal of interest is launched into a delay-line fiber composed of optical Bragg reflection gratings written holographically into the core of a single-mode fiber. The desired beam steering is realized by tuning the optical carrier wavelength for reflection from the appropriate grating. Radiation testing of various fibers with Bragg gratings has been performed indicating preferable fiber types. True time delay offers much reduced beam squint and sharper antenna superior nulling compared to phase shift scanned antenna. Examples of applications of this concept showing its advantages are presented.