A novel optically controlled phased array antenna system using a programmable-dispersion fiber and a mode-locked laser

In conclusion, we have proposed and demonstrate a novel scheme for optically controlled phased array antenna (OCPAA) using a single monolithic colliding pulse mode locked (CPM) laser and a programmable-dispersion fiber delay line. This system is extremely compact and no critical matching of fiber lengths are needed since all RF signals travel through the same fiber. Moreover, the proposed system is robust and highly scaleable in either number of antenna elements or resolution.