Photonic beamforming using quantum-dash mode-locked frequency comb laser

We develop and experimentally demonstrate a microwave photonic-based directional phased antenna array using quantum dash mode-locked laser. Thanks to the 25 GHz free spectral range, this system has higher band utilization. With these comb lines, two types of directional antenna arrays, uniform linear array (ULA) and uniform circular array (UCA), are designed and simulated. It is found that these two structures have directivity up to 14 dBi. Moreover, the end-fire ULA system shows less sensitivity to the phase error. Although UCA is more sensitive, it also has wider RF bandwidth compared to ULA.