Performance analysis of an optical beam-forming network with custom microwave CAD tools

Next generation wideband and ultra-wideband radar antenna arrays need efficient true-time delay networks for array control. Optical beam-forming networks have been considered as a promising solution in such arrays. Performance analysis of optical beam-formers is thus quiet necessary. In this paper signal to noise ratio and dynamic range of simple optical beam-forming structures are investigated with a custom microwave CAD tool. Two structures with optical and RF power combining methods are discussed. With the proposed devices' parameters, the optical combining method shows better performance for low and moderate optical powers.