Millimeter-Wave and Sub-THz Phased-Array Imaging Systems based on Electro-optic Up-conversion and Optical Beamforming

This paper presents a class of phased-array systems that function as video-rate imagers in the millimeter-wave (mmW) and sub-THz bands. While the systems presented operate in the Ka-band (35 GHz) and W-band (77 and 86 GHz), the approach is scalable to the THz regime. Their operation is based on the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	IEEE journal of selected topics in quantum electronics Vol. 29; no. 5: Terahertz Photonics; pp. 1 - 20
Main Authors:	Prather, Dennis W., Murakowski, Janusz A., Schuetz, Christopher, Shi, Shouyuan, Schneider, Garrett J., Harrity, Charles, Aranda, Zion D., Marinucci, Dominic, Hallak, Amjed, Zablocki, Mathew, Gallion, Matthew, Dontamsetti, Samhit, Goodman, Brian J., Semmel, Jesse, Lawrence, Robert
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	New York IEEE 01-09-2023 The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
Subjects:	Antenna arrays Antennas Beamforming Domains Extremely high frequencies Fourier transforms High-speed optical techniques Infrared cameras microwave photonics Millimeter waves Modulators optical coherent detection Optical communication Optical fiber sensors Optical fibers Optical filters Optical imaging Optical sensors Optics Optimized production technology phased-array antennas radio over fiber Short wave radiation Upconversion wireless communications
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Summary:	This paper presents a class of phased-array systems that function as video-rate imagers in the millimeter-wave (mmW) and sub-THz bands. While the systems presented operate in the Ka-band (35 GHz) and W-band (77 and 86 GHz), the approach is scalable to the THz regime. Their operation is based on the upconversion of incident mmW and sub-THz signals to the optical domain using high-speed electro-optic modulators (EOMs) that are connected to each antenna element in a phased-array antenna. The output optical fiber from each EOM is relayed to a fiber bundle, or optical fiber array, from which the upconverted mmW/sub-THz signals are launched into free space. Because the upconversion preserves both the temporal and spatial coherence, through a spatial phase-control loop (SPCL), the launched sideband signals re-form the beamspace of the incident mmW or sub-THz signals, but in the optical domain. At this point, a lens performs a 2D spatial Fourier transform, to produce a real-time image of the mmW or sub-THz signals from the environment on a short-wave infrared (SWIR) camera, which renders the scene at video rates. The fundamental operating principles of these systems are presented, along with the historical progress in their development, and experimental demonstrations.
ISSN:	1077-260X 1558-4542
DOI:	10.1109/JSTQE.2023.3306953