EP1096603A1 - Steuervorrichtung zur simultanen Mehrstrahlformung in einer Antenne mit elektronisch gesteuerter Ablenkung für Radarempfang - Google Patents

Steuervorrichtung zur simultanen Mehrstrahlformung in einer Antenne mit elektronisch gesteuerter Ablenkung für Radarempfang Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1096603A1
EP1096603A1 EP00402940A EP00402940A EP1096603A1 EP 1096603 A1 EP1096603 A1 EP 1096603A1 EP 00402940 A EP00402940 A EP 00402940A EP 00402940 A EP00402940 A EP 00402940A EP 1096603 A1 EP1096603 A1 EP 1096603A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
optical
signal
microwave
frequency
signals
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Granted
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EP00402940A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP1096603B1 (de
Inventor
Thomas Thomson-CSF Prop. Intellectuelle Merlet
Olivier Thomson-CSF Prop. Intellectuelle Maas
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Thales SA
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Thales SA
Thomson CSF SA
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q25/00—Antennas or antenna systems providing at least two radiating patterns
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q3/00—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system
    • H01Q3/26—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture
    • H01Q3/2676—Optically controlled phased array

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a control device for the formation of several simultaneous antenna radar reception beams at electronic scanning. It applies in particular for the control of radiation pattern of a scanning electron antenna in sight to reconfigure the reception beams with great flexibility, and regardless of the radar bandwidth.
  • An electronic scanning antenna has a plurality of radiating elements which both transmit and receive a microwave signal.
  • a transmission or reception beam is formed by all of the signals transmitted or received by each element.
  • To orient a beam in a given direction ⁇ it is necessary to create time delays between signals transmitted or received by the different radiating elements.
  • To obtain an analogous effect it was known to create a phase delay between these signals.
  • the phase shift ⁇ 1 - ⁇ 2 is equal to 2 ⁇ f (T 1 -T 2 ).
  • the radar dynamic is characterized by the signal-to-noise ratio, including in the term "noise” intermodulation phenomena which emanate from the non-linearities of the chain generally called in Anglo-Saxon literature SFDR according to the expression "Spurious Free Dynamic Range”.
  • the beam switching speed in a given direction from an order is another difficulty, second order compared to the dynamics.
  • the multi-beam reception is then possible in the techniques of control based on microwave circuits only.
  • the echo radar is detected on a network antenna by a matrix n lines per m columns of microwave detectors which constitute the antenna panel.
  • These elementary signals are individually weighted in amplitude and in phase then summed to form a reception beam. This last one is characterized by its angular direction relative to the normal of the antenna and by its radiation pattern.
  • In order to simultaneously train several receiving beams it is necessary to split the elementary signals to direct them to different weighting matrices and different adders. Realized in microwave technology, these weights and his summons are immutable.
  • An object of the invention is in particular to allow a mode of simple realization of a multibeam reception with a large dynamic.
  • the main advantages of the invention are that it allows reduce the complexity of digital processing relating to the training of radar beams, by FFC it brings immunity against electromagnetic disturbances, that it allows weight gain and gain and that it applies to all frequency bands radar.
  • the appended figure therefore presents a possible embodiment of a control device according to the invention.
  • This device controls the formation of several reception beams R 1 , ... R r of a radar antenna with electronic scanning. It performs a partial microwave summation of the signals received by the elementary antenna detectors, followed by an inconsistent summation in optics.
  • An electronically scanned receiving antenna has n microwave signal detector subnets 1.
  • Each column includes for example m detectors 1.
  • Each detector is followed by a phase shifter 2.
  • the phase shifters 2 are controlled by conventional means depending on the desired direction according to the component parallel to the column, for example vertical if the latter is vertical.
  • the signals from the phase shifters are summed by a microwave combiner 3.
  • the control device according to the invention therefore comprises means for carrying out a summation partial microwave of the signals received according to each column. These means notably include phase shifters 2 and their controls as well than microwave combiner 3. This partial summation is performed conventionally by known means.
  • Each of the n columns provides therefore a signal summed according to a dimension of space, for example the vertical dimension.
  • the optical sources L 1 , ... L n are for example lasers.
  • Each optical source is for example followed by means 4 for generating a bi-frequency optical wave in cross polarization, a frequency being at ⁇ / 2 ⁇ + f and a frequency at ⁇ / 2 ⁇ .
  • the frequency f is that of the received signal.
  • the frequency ⁇ / 2 ⁇ is the frequency of the optical wave produced by the light source L 1 , ... L n .
  • a frequency ⁇ / 2 ⁇ + f is transmitted according to a first polarization, for example vertical E V.
  • the other frequency ⁇ / 2 ⁇ is transmitted on a perpendicular polarization, for example horizontal E H , the two polarizations being perpendicular to the direction of transmission of the optical wave.
  • the optical signal, of frequency ⁇ / 2 ⁇ is therefore transmitted according to a polarization while the optical signal modulated by the frequency f of the receiving microwave signal, of frequency ⁇ / 2 ⁇ + f, is transmitted according to the perpendicular polarization.
  • the modulated optical signal can be obtained by a frequency translator which is for example an acousto-optical Bragg cell.
  • each signal Before entering these optical phase shifting means, each signal enters a coupler optical 1 / r 6 which divides this signal into r optical signal, r being the number of radar reception beams to be formed.
  • the n optical channels 7 originating from 4 means of dual-frequency wave generation are therefore each divided into r optical channels 8 by means of these optical couplers 1 / r, an optical channel being a path along which an optical signal propagates.
  • the example of realization presented by the figure illustrates a mode of transmission of free space optical signals.
  • a device according to the invention can however include optical channels 7, 8 which are optical guides or optical fibers.
  • the nxr optical channels are directed to the optical phase-shifting means 5.
  • the latter are for example a liquid crystal matrix which comprises nxr pixels.
  • This phase matrix prints per pixel at one of the polarizations, according to an anisotropic regime, an optical phase controlled by an electric voltage.
  • the frequency ⁇ / 2 ⁇ + f becomes for example ⁇ / 2 ⁇ + f + ⁇ i, i for the optical signal which meets the pixel i, j of line i and of column j on the phase matrix 5.
  • the device according to invention has the means, not shown, of applying voltages to the pixels. These means apply a voltage V i, j to each pixel i, j .
  • the optical phase shifting means 5 are for example followed by means 9 for amplitude weighting. These means act on the two polarizations E V , E H by modifying the amplitude of the two optical waves of each of the channels 8.
  • These amplitude weighting means are for example a matrix of liquid crystals comprising nxr pixels. The amplitude weighting, like the phase shift, is controlled pixel by pixel by voltage control means not shown. Amplitude weighting is applied to each of the nxr optical signals 8.
  • the device comprises r means for detecting the microwave signal assigned to each group of n optical signals.
  • This signal is in fact the modulation signal at the reception frequency f having undergone the phase shifts ⁇ i, j .
  • the n optical channels 7, divided according to the columns (for example vertically) into r channels before the matrices are after these latter grouped in lines (for example horizontally) to form r optical beams with n phase-shifted components and optionally weighted in amplitude.
  • the channels are grouped using 1 / n 10 optical combiners.
  • the n channels of each line are combined by a combiner 10.
  • Each combiner 10 is followed by a 45 ° polarizer 11 which has for function of recombining the two polarizations in the same direction.
  • the two coherent waves then interfere at the output of each polarizer 11.
  • the latter is followed by a photodetector 12.
  • a photodetector 12 detects thus a signal proportional to the phases and amplitudes printed on the elementary optical channels 8 by means 5 of optical phase shifts and the amplitude weighting means 9.
  • the two waves therefore interfere at the entrance of the latter.
  • Their spectral lines at ⁇ / 2 ⁇ + f and at ⁇ / 2 ⁇ beat so and the difference between the two lines then gives the frequency of reception f.
  • the device according to the invention then makes it possible to obtain at the output of r photodetectors 12 r radar beams R 1 , ... R r formed in a fixed manner in one dimension where the combinations are carried out at microwave frequency and reconfigurable in the other dimension where the combinations are made in optics.
  • This latter configuration of the beams is carried out at the level of the optical phase shifting means 5.
  • the phase laws to be applied are for example programmed in means for controlling the pixel voltages of a liquid crystal matrix 5.
  • amplitude weighting laws can for example be applied to the elementary channels 8 by the amplitude weighting means 9.
  • the power Pj in each of the r output beams is then given by the following relation:
  • the phases ⁇ ij are printed by the optical phase shifting means 5, and the powers P ij are for example weighted by the weighting means 9.
  • a liquid crystal matrix with nxr pixels controllable in tension was presented as an example of realization of the means of optical phase shifts.
  • This embodiment has in particular as advantage of being simple to implement. These means may well sure to be achieved otherwise.
  • phase shifting means can also be replaced by means for creating time delays on the n x r elementary signals 8.
  • These means can for example be a device for optical paths. switchable as described in French patent application No. 90 03386. The time delays then make it possible to process signals in a very instant broadband.
  • the invention can be applied with optical technology in free propagation using liquid crystal matrices 5, 9 to exercise phase and amplitude weights. These weights can also be obtained in guided optics by performing on semiconductors, e.g. InP, light guides, couplers and phase and amplitude modulators. In this case, the presence of polarizers 11 is no longer required.
  • semiconductors e.g. InP, light guides, couplers and phase and amplitude modulators.
  • the presence of polarizers 11 is no longer required.
  • a device has in particular the advantage of allow reconfiguration of radar reception beams by playing simply on the control voltages of phase 5 optical arrays and of amplitude 9, or any other means of optical phase shift, of creation of time delays or amplitude weights.
  • This possibility is not offered to microwave combiners.
  • the invention notably proposes an advantageous alternative to radar architectures with beam formation by calculation.
  • analog beam formation by optics minimizes the number of receivers and considerably simplifies processing complexity.
  • the partial combination of microwave as well as the optical summation of different beams allow in particular to alleviate the dynamic constraints which weigh on optical architectures for reception, since part of the orientation reception beams are processed by microwave techniques.
  • the invention also provides a immunity to electromagnetic interference, weight gain and space saving, thanks to optical technologies. Finally, the invention applies to all radar frequency bands.
  • each radiating element 1 emits or receives in a very large opening, but summing in a column or a line, a fine direction is preferred according to this column or this line.
  • clutter of ground or sea is added to inconsistently from column to column and the signal-to-noise ratio then increases. It would not be the same in a horizontal direction where the ground or sea clutter would be added more coherently.

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  • Radar Systems Or Details Thereof (AREA)
  • Variable-Direction Aerials And Aerial Arrays (AREA)
EP00402940A 1999-10-26 2000-10-24 Steuervorrichtung zur simultanen Mehrstrahlformung in einer Antenne mit elektronisch gesteuerter Ablenkung für Radarempfang Expired - Lifetime EP1096603B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9913358 1999-10-26
FR9913358A FR2800202B1 (fr) 1999-10-26 1999-10-26 Dispositif de commande pour la formation de plusieurs faisceaux simultanes de reception radar a antenne a balayage electronique

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1096603A1 true EP1096603A1 (de) 2001-05-02
EP1096603B1 EP1096603B1 (de) 2007-06-13

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EP00402940A Expired - Lifetime EP1096603B1 (de) 1999-10-26 2000-10-24 Steuervorrichtung zur simultanen Mehrstrahlformung in einer Antenne mit elektronisch gesteuerter Ablenkung für Radarempfang

Country Status (5)

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US (1) US6417804B1 (de)
EP (1) EP1096603B1 (de)
CA (1) CA2324490A1 (de)
DE (1) DE60035161T2 (de)
FR (1) FR2800202B1 (de)

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10237822B3 (de) * 2002-08-19 2004-07-22 Kathrein-Werke Kg Kalibriereinrichtung für ein umschaltbares Antennen-Array sowie ein zugehöriges Betriebsverfahren
DE10237823B4 (de) * 2002-08-19 2004-08-26 Kathrein-Werke Kg Antennen-Array mit einer Kalibriereinrichtung sowie Verfahren zum Betrieb eines derartigen Antennen-Arrays
WO2005004324A1 (ja) * 2003-07-04 2005-01-13 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha 光制御型マイクロ波位相形成装置
US7248343B2 (en) * 2004-06-29 2007-07-24 Raytheon Company Amplitude-weighted spatial coherent processing for LADAR system
GB0526661D0 (en) * 2005-11-23 2006-12-13 Bae Systems Plc Array Antenna
US7801447B1 (en) * 2006-02-28 2010-09-21 Lockheed Martin Corporation Method and system for signal processing by modulation of an optical signal with a multichannel radio frequency signal
US7724179B2 (en) * 2007-02-07 2010-05-25 Lockheed Martin Corporation Miniaturized microwave-photonic receiver
FR3005210B1 (fr) * 2013-04-26 2016-09-30 Thales Sa Circuit d'alimentation distribuee pour reseau de formation de faisceaux d'antenne

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0708491A1 (de) * 1994-09-27 1996-04-24 Thomson-Csf Optisches Steuerungssystem für eine Antenne mit elektronischer Ablenkung
EP0793291A2 (de) * 1996-02-28 1997-09-03 HE HOLDINGS, INC. dba HUGHES ELECTRONICS Millimeterwellen-Gruppenantennen mit Rotman-Linse und optischem Überlagerungssystem
US5861845A (en) * 1998-05-19 1999-01-19 Hughes Electronics Corporation Wideband phased array antennas and methods

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CA1212746A (en) * 1983-01-31 1986-10-14 R. Ian Macdonald Optoelectronically switched phase shifter for radar and satellite phased array antennas
US4725844A (en) * 1985-06-27 1988-02-16 Trw Inc. Fiber optical discrete phase modulation system
US5131748A (en) * 1991-06-10 1992-07-21 Monchalin Jean Pierre Broadband optical detection of transient motion from a scattering surface by two-wave mixing in a photorefractive crystal
JP3846918B2 (ja) * 1994-08-02 2006-11-15 富士通株式会社 光伝送システム、光多重伝送システム及びその周辺技術
US5917970A (en) * 1998-04-21 1999-06-29 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Wavelength multiplexed, electro-optically controllable, fiber optic multi-tap delay line

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0708491A1 (de) * 1994-09-27 1996-04-24 Thomson-Csf Optisches Steuerungssystem für eine Antenne mit elektronischer Ablenkung
EP0793291A2 (de) * 1996-02-28 1997-09-03 HE HOLDINGS, INC. dba HUGHES ELECTRONICS Millimeterwellen-Gruppenantennen mit Rotman-Linse und optischem Überlagerungssystem
US5861845A (en) * 1998-05-19 1999-01-19 Hughes Electronics Corporation Wideband phased array antennas and methods

Non-Patent Citations (2)

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Title
CARDONE L G: "WIDEBAND ELECTRO-OPTICAL MICROWAVE BEAMFORMING TECHNIQUE", CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS OF MILITARY MICROWAVES, 24 June 1986 (1986-06-24) - 26 June 1986 (1986-06-26), Brighton, England, pages 391a - 391f, XP002142162 *
PASTUR L ET AL: "TWO-DIMENSIONAL OPTICAL ARCHITECTURES FOR THE RECEIVE MODE OF PHASED-ARRAY ANTENNAS", APPLIED OPTICS,US,OPTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA,WASHINGTON, vol. 38, no. 14, 10 May 1999 (1999-05-10), pages 3105 - 3111, XP000830136, ISSN: 0003-6935 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE60035161D1 (de) 2007-07-26
CA2324490A1 (fr) 2001-04-26
FR2800202A1 (fr) 2001-04-27
EP1096603B1 (de) 2007-06-13
DE60035161T2 (de) 2008-05-15
US6417804B1 (en) 2002-07-09
FR2800202B1 (fr) 2007-08-31

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