Photonic signal processing for phased array sensor systems

Electronically programmable phased array sensors have the capability to scan information beams in three dimensional (3-D) space without physically moving the sensor. Typically, each sensor head is populated with smaller individually controlled sensor elements. By electronically controlling the amplitude and delay of each sensor element signal, it becomes possible for all the sensor elements to work in unison, as if there was one large sensor head. These phased array sensors, as they are generally called, become powerful tools for sensing, detection, probing, and energy delivery. Depending on the signal type, the sensor has different signal processing requirements, capabilities, and a commonly used name. Photonic signal processing can offer several features to these phased array sensor systems that are limited or unavailable using present-day electronics.