AMD-CFT (CG4) Photonic Integrated Circuit Time-Delay Beamformer

Author(s):

Stephen R. Anderson

Abstract:

Photonic integrated circuits (PICs) provide a low size, weight, power, and cost platform for high-speed analog signal processing. Radio frequency beamforming of phased array antennas benefit from fine control of broadband signal delay, which is achieved through photonic integrated circuit true-time delay architectures. PICs were designed, modeled, and then fabricated in the AIM Photonics foundry. Generating true-time-delay with a three-bit ring-mediated switching architecture and a continuously tunable Mach-Zehnder-interferometer-mediated architecture is explored. Practical challenges of resonant-device uniformity and thermo-optic control are identified. This report summarizes measured data collected on photonic circuit true-time delay beamforming to support Army Air and Missile Defense priorities.