A Novel Optically Controlled BeamForming Network Using Fiber Bragg Gratings

In this letter, a novel Optically Controlled BeamForming Network (OCBFN) is presented. A simplified circuit topology is used, which comprises shared highly reflective Linearly Chirped Fiber Bragg Gratings (LCFBG), to reduce the network complexity while improving optical and electrical performances. The OCBFN also integrates the capability of multiple beams for multiple stream data transmit simultaneously. Theoretical analysis, calculation and an experiment are carried out to verify the concept of OCBFN. Results show that it can realize a dynamic group delay (GD) range of nearly 1000 ps. It is promising for this novel OCBFN to be used in the fields of satellite communications, radar detection/monitoring, etc.