Opto-VLSI-Based Broadband True-Time Delay Generation for Phased Array Beamforming

Electronically controlled phased-array antennas can adaptively scan radiated beams in three-dimensional space without mechanically moving parts. While most of the research on phased-array antennas has been focusing on broadband beam steering less attention has been devoted to null steering. Broadband null steering requires a beamformer that can generate variable and frequency independent true time-delays (TTD). In this paper we propose and demonstrate the concept of an Opto-VLSI-based tunable true-time delay generation unit for adaptive null steering in phased array antennas, where arbitrary single or multiple true-time delays can simultaneously be synthesized. Simulated azimuth gain patterns for a 4element antenna arrays is presented, and experimental results are shown, which demonstrate the principle of the proposed true-time delay unit.