| 摘要 |
<p>A phased-array antenna (14) is disclosed including modules (12) that respond to optic signals provided by a central processor (16) via an optic feed network (18). In a transmit mode of operation, the central processor provides optic transmit signals to the modules, controlling the phase and attenuation of the various signals to accomplish the desired steering of the antenna beam produced by the array. A mixer or avalanche photodiode (42) in each module provides suitable optical-to-RF power conversion for the input signal to allow antenna elements (44) in the module to radiate the desired electromagnetic beam. During a receive interval, a received electric signal produced by the antenna elements is combined by the mixer with a local oscillator frequency optic signal applied to the mixer by the central processor. As a result, the RF frequency of the received signal is reduced to an IF frequency for low-cost amplification by an amplifier (52). A light source (48) then transmits the received signal back to the central processor for interpretation. The resultant arrangement advantageously reduces the complexity and expense of the various modules in the array.</p> |
