Apparatus and method for detection of electromagnetic radiation using optical switches in an RF network

摘要

Apparatuses and methods for identifying and characterizing an impingement by electromagnetic radiation on a structure's surface. An array of input and output radiofrequency transmission lines are connected by photoconductive switches that conduct only when exposed to incident electromagnetic radiation. Each input line is assigned a unique input RF frequency. If a switch is exposed to radiation, the connection between the corresponding input and output lines closes, and an RF signal is output from the output port connected to the closed switch, while if the switch is not exposed to the incident radiation, the connection remains open and no RF signal is output. By analyzing the frequencies of the signals output at a port, the location of the radiation incident on the structure can be determined.

主权项

1. An apparatus for detecting an incidence of electromagnetic radiation on a structure, comprising:
a three-dimensional two-layer 2×n×m array of radiofrequency (RF) transmission lines situated within the structure, the array comprising n input lines in a first plane, each of the n input lines being configured to receive an input RF signal having a frequency fn unique to that line, and m output lines in a second plane, each of the m output lines being configured to receive and output an RF signal from at least one of the n input lines,
a direction of at least one of the n input lines intersecting a direction of at least one of the m output lines,each pair of intersecting input and output lines being physically connected by a corresponding optical switch; and a processor configured to receive and process the output signals to identify a location of the incident electromagnetic radiation on the structure; wherein when the structure is subjected to incident electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength within a specified range, an optical switch located within a footprint of the incident electromagnetic radiation on the structure becomes electrically active and completes an electrical connection between the input and output lines connected by the optical switch while an optical switch located outside the footprint of the electromagnetic radiation on the array remains inactive; wherein an unconnected output line corresponding to an inactive optical switch does not output any signal while a connected output line corresponding to an active optical switch outputs a signal having a frequency of the RF signal input into the connected input line; wherein a frequency of the output signal is indicative of a location of the incident electromagnetic radiation on the structure; and further wherein a strength of the output signal is indicative of an intensity of the incident electromagnetic radiation on the structure.