| 摘要 |
An optical routing network provides function-specific routing, in the optical domain, of radio frequency (RF) signals between inputs to the network and function-specific outputs from the network. RF signals input to the network may comprise signals received by elements of a multi-function array antenna for routing to function-specific receiving equipment or signals from function-specific transmitting equipment for routing to selected elements of the antenna for transmission. The optical routing path through the optical routing network is chosen by selecting one or more predetermined optical carrier wavelengths in the optical routing network, each carrier wavelength being associated with a particular function of the antenna. The optical routing network comprises opto-electronic modulators for modulating the selected optical carrier or carriers with received radio frequency (RF) signals and wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) devices for separating and directing modulated carriers to respective optical outputs according to the selected carrier wavelengths. However, if routing in respect of only one function is required at any one time, a single carrier wavelength may be used and optical switches may be used in place of WDM devices to achieve the required optical routing on a time division basis, if preferred. |
