| 摘要 |
An optical signal transmission apparatus 1, or method, suitable for a rotating antenna, comprises: a plurality of optical modulators 6 for receiving analogue RF signals and converting them to modulated analogue optical signals. The modulated analogue optical signals are then transmitted via an optical rotary joint 10 including a reversion prism 11 to a plurality of opto-electrical converters 14 which return the optical signals to analogue electrical signals. The reversion prism 11 may be a Dove or Abbe-Konig prism. The optical modulators 6 may include lasers and Mach-Zehnder (MZ) modulators. The modulators may be biased such that they operate in a quadrature manner. First and second optical collimators 9, 12 may be located at either side of the prism 11. At least twenty analogue RF signals may be modulated, transferred through the optical apparatus and subsequently demodulated. Computer hardware and/or software may be used in the implementation of the optical signal transmission method. The said apparatus may provide a small and light weight rotary joint for a radar antenna array with many RF channels which is suitable for mounting high on the mast of a ship. |
