Chirp generator based on the binary optical structures

The paper discusses the investigation of a new method of chirp signal generation with a high chirp rate based on the binary optical structures. Originally binary optical structures have been used as the elements of radio memory devices to produce copies of the wideband radio signals. They can also be applied for chirp generation in a specially structured fiber optic array form. The scheme of device that implements chirp generation based on binary optical structures is given in the paper as well as the analytical expressions for design of the fiber-optic array. The technique allows producing chirps with pulse width over 2 ns and frequency deviation up to 6 GHz with the result chirp rate up to 3000 GHz/μs and the autocorrelation peak sidelobe level not exceeding minus 13.4 dB. Optical fiber dispersion, nonlinear effects and fiber manufacturing intolerances influence on the properties of the chirp generator are analyzed.