Extreme Bandwidth Analyzer and Correlator for spectrum analysis and direction finding

The Extreme Bandwidth Analyzer/Correlator (EBAC) is a hybrid photonic/RF signal receiver capable of spectrum analysis and direction finding of radio frequency signals received by wideband antennas. The signals from two or more antennas can be interfered and analyzed enabling both spectrum energy analysis and a phase sensitive mapping of the time differences of arrival for direction finding for every resolvable frequency. The technique of using cryogenically cooled crystal to perform the analysis enable narrow frequency resolution measurements across extremely broad instantaneous bandwidths. The technology operates over >;10 GHz instantaneous bandwidth, with <;1 MHz frequency resolution, and >;1 kHz full spectrum update rates, and low latency ~1 ms. Spectral analysis experimental laboratory results to date show 50 dB two tone spur free dynamic range. Combined spectrum analysis and direction finding experimental results to date show similar performance with a sub-ps time difference measurement accuracy at every resolvable frequency. While the current system is packaged and ready for field testing, improvements in the EBAC system performance and packaging continue to be achieved.