<title>Applications of microlaser arrays to tapped delay line systems</title>

Abstract

We present an overview of continuing research on a dynamic optical system for producing variable delays of radio frequency (RF) signals. Our approach utilizes both a 16 & 64 tap programmable delay line. The approach uses a micro-laser diode array to tap an acousto-optic (AO) cell at various spatial positions along the acoustic channel. This generates multiple delayed versions of the input signal to the AO cell. The use of the laser diode array allows for a programmable time delay, programmable weighting of each delay, a large number of delays equal to the number of elements in the diode array, and multiple delays at one time. This architecture, upon completion of future compatibility testing will replace an existing multi AO cell tap delay line as part of an adaptive optical processor for side lobe jamming cancellation.