基于硅基光子学的2维相控阵真时延网络

为了实现大规模2维相控阵天线的光学真时延系统,采用基于硅基光子学的二进制硅基集成二进制光延迟线技术,提出一种2维相控阵(N×N)真时延网络,利用2维相控阵结构的对称性以及行延迟和列延迟的独立控制,真时延网络的复杂度可以降低至(N-1)/2(N为奇数)或N/2(N为偶数)。理论分析了该时延控制方案和集成时延芯片的设计,以8×8的2维相控阵为例,设计实现了包含4种硅基二进制时延线的真时延芯片,测量了该芯片的时延量,并针对测量的时延量仿真分析了2维相控阵天线的波束扫描特性。结果表明,该真时延网络能够满足相控阵天线波束指向要求(角度误差小于0.5°);集成光学技术的采用减小系统的体积和成本。该研究为大规模2维相控阵天线的真时延网络实现提供了一种可行的方法。

True time-delay network for 2-D phased array antenna based on silicon photonics

In order to realize optical true time-delay(TDD) system of large-scale 2-D phased array antenna(PAA), a binary silicon-based integrated binary optical delay line technology based on silicon-based photonics was adopted. A 2-D PAA N×N TDD network was proposed. By using the symmetry of 2-D PAA structure and the independent control of row and column delays, the complexity of TDD networks can be reduced to (N-1)/2 (when N is odd) or N/2 (when N is even). Delay control scheme and the design of integrated delay chip were analyzed theoretically. Four kinds of silicon-based binary TDD chips were designed and implemented by taking 8×8 2-D phased array as an example. The delay of chips was measured. The beam scanning characteristics of 2-D phased array antenna were simulated and analyzed for the measured delay. The results show that TDD can satisfy the beam pointing requirement of PAA (angle error is less than 0.5°). The use of integrated optics technology greatly reduces the volume and the cost of the system. This study provides a feasible method for realizing TDD network of large-scale 2-D PAA.