<title>Photonic antenna reconfiguration: a status survey</title>

Abstract

The primary focus of photonics for antenna systems has, historically, been on the development of link and beam steering techniques. More recent work is focusing on the design of new types of antenna elements or arrays of elements to take advantage of the advances in photonics. By using photonically controlled devices and materials it is possible to produce revolutionary changes in antenna elements and in the design and properties of arrays, opening the door for a new class of antennas Photonically Controlled Reconfigurable Antennas.In this paper we survey the history and current status of photonically reconfigurable antennas. This will include the evolution of photonically controlled switches for application in antennas. We look at photonic control of reactive devices and the optically variable capacitor (OVCTM) and the evolution of this device towards monolithic integration. Finally, we also will look at the state ofphotonically reconfigurable silicon and its application to antenna design. PHOTONICALLY RECONFIGIIRABLE ANTENNAS, AN IITRODUCTIONFuture communication and radar systems will have strict performance requirements such as bandwidth of an octave or more; frequency diversity; dramatic reduction in size and weight; low observability; and greater isolation from electromagnetic interference. These requirements will necessitate innovative antenna designs. The use of photonic-based antenna feeds, links, and controls opens the possibility of unique, very high performance antenna systems. Historically, the primary application of photonic technology for antenna systems has been on the development of link and beam steering techniques. Over the last few years, however, work has begun to focus on using photonics to produce new approaches to the design of antenna elements themselves. By using photonically controlled devices and materials (switches, reactive devices, photoconductive materials) it is possible to produce revolutionary changes in antenna element and phased array design and properties.Photonically controlled devices do not require conducting lines running to them in order to provide power or control signals but instead use fiber optical cables or direct optical illumination to control the device or to manifest changes in the materials.

Low‐power photonic control of a microwave ring resonator using bulk illumination

“…High degree of electrical isolation between the control signal and the microwave circuit, immunity to parasitic electromagnetic radiation, high power handling, overall weight reduction, high‐speed control, and timing precision are among the most important benefits of photonic control. In particular, electrical isolation between the control signal and the microwave structure is crucial for design and fabrication of reconfigurable antennas [15–18] where the radiation pattern and efficiency are affected by the presence of control devices and circuits in the vicinity of antenna pattern [15].…”

Investigation on the performance of an optically generated RF local oscillator signal in K<inf>u</inf>-band DVB-S systems

“…On the other hand, the distribution of LO signals from a centralized LO by means of coaxial cables or waveguides is limited by the transmission line losses and their bulk size. Photonics offer an alternative because optical fiber cables are compact, lightweight and provide low transmission and distribution loss [1]. The crucial challenge for optically-generated LO is to meet the requirement of low phase noise, low drift, low power consumption, wide tunability, and compactness [2].…”

Compact Asymmetric Coplanar Strip Fed Monopole Antenna for Multiband Applications

“…A piezoelectric transducer is one more way to switch a microstrip patch from right-hand to left-hand circular polarization [12]. A variety of reconfigurable antennas using optical switches have been reported [13]. Design equations based upon transmission line models indicate that making the patch longer decreases the resonant frequency, whereas making the patch shorter increases the resonant frequency [14] (keeping all other variables constant).…”