Photonically controlled antenna array

摘要

A photonically controlled antenna array is made of a plurality of stacked light waveguides made of a material such as silicon whereon each of which one or more photonically controlled antenna elements are mounted. Light is injected into ones of the light waveguides and reflects therein until it is absorbed by the antenna elements mounted thereon due to the higher refractive index of silicon. When the photonically controlled antenna elements are illuminated they are switched to a conductive state and can transmit and receive electromagnetic signals. When no light is injected into the light waveguide the photonically controlled antenna elements are not illuminated and are in a non-conductive state wherein they cannot receive or transmit electromagnetic signals. One edge of each of the light waveguides is adjacent to a ground plane, and the antenna elements on each light waveguide are spaced from said ground plane a distance equal to a quarter wavelength at the frequency at which each of said photonically controlled antenna elements is designed to operate. The antenna elements radiate and receive signals in a direction parallel to said waveguides that is opposite to said ground plane.