Optically steerable antenna systems overview

Simple methods to obtain phase shifts and an amplitude regulation using electro-optical technique, with purpose to drive antenna array systems, are presented. This solution comprises true-time delay properties of the optical fiber, driven by tunable lasers, in the following overview, several techniques proposed by different authors are presented. All methods are based on the same idea, which consists on setting the radiofrequency signal phase and amplitude in the optical domain instead of using radiofrequency techniques. Trough the electro-optical conversion the radiofrequency signal is transferred onto an optical carrier, where it can be influenced to achieve the desired result.