US5694498A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Optically controlled phase shifter and phased array antenna for use therewith
Assignee: Sierra Nevada Co LLC
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Filing: 1996-08-16
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Granted: 1997-12-02
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Expires: 2016-08-16
Abstract
Abstract Systems and methods for optically controlled phase shifters are described. An apparatus includes a proximal rib waveguide; a phase shifter connected to the proximal rib waveguide, the phase shifter including: a first plasma induced modulator connected to the proximal rib waveguide, the first plasma induced modulator having a first transmission coefficient a and including: a first branch waveguide connected to the proximal rib waveguide; and a first photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector connected to the first branch waveguide; a second plasma induced modulator connected to the proximal rib waveguide, the second plasma induced modulator having a second transmission coefficient b and including: a second branch waveguide connected to the proximal rib waveguide; and a second photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector connected to the second branch waveguide; and a third plasma induced modulator connected to the proximal rib waveguide, the third plasma induced modulator having a third transmission coefficient c and including: a third branch waveguide connected to the proximal rib waveguide; and a third photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector connected to the third branch waveguide. The transmission coefficients a, b and c are each </=1. The systems and methods provide a substantial improvement in that a phased array antenna can be steered with the optically controlled phase shifters using much less controlling energy.
Inventors
- 👤 Vladimir Manasson
- 👤 Lev S. Sadovnik
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 10:23
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q3/00; H01Q3/26; H01Q3/2676; G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4204; G02B6/4207
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
An apparatus, comprising: a proximal rib waveguide; a phase shifter connected to said proximal rib waveguide, said phase shifter including: a first plasma induced modulator coquetted to said proximal rib waveguide, said first plasma induced modulator having a first transmission coefficient a and including: a first branch waveguide connected to said proximal rib waveguide; and a first photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector connected to said first branch waveguide; a second plasma induced modulator connected to said proximal rib waveguide, said second plasma induced modulator having a second transmission coefficient b and including: a second branch waveguide connected to said proximal rib waveguide; and a second photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector connected to said second branch waveguide; and a third plasma induced modulator connected to said proximal rib waveguide, said third plasma induced modulator having a third transmission coefficient c and including: a third branch waveguide connected to said proximal rib waveguide; and a third photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector connected to said third branch waveguide, wherein a, b and c are each ≦1.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
170 words
An apparatus, comprising: a proximal rib waveguide; a phase shifter connected to said proximal rib waveguide, said phase shifter including: a first plasma induced modulator coquetted to said proximal rib waveguide, said first plasma induced modulator having a first transmission coefficient a and including: a first branch waveguide connected to said proximal rib waveguide; and a first photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector connected to said first branch waveguide; a second plasma induced modulator connected to said proximal rib waveguide, said second plasma induced modulator having a second transmission coefficient b and including: a second branch waveguide connected to said proximal rib waveguide; and a second photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector connected to said second branch waveguide; and a third plasma induced modulator connected to said proximal rib waveguide, said third plasma induced modulator having a third transmission coefficient c and including: a third branch waveguide connected to said proximal rib waveguide; and a third photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector connected to said third branch waveguide, wherein a, b and c are each ≦1.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
128 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a first optical fiber connected to said first photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector with a first connector that includes a first layer of indium tin oxide; a second optical fiber connected to said second photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector with a second connector that includes a second layer of indium tin oxide; a third optical fiber connected to said third photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector with a third connector that includes a third layer of indium tin oxide; and a distal rib waveguide connected to said first branch waveguide, said second branch waveguide and said third branch waveguide, wherein said first photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector includes silicon, said second photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector includes silicon and said third photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector includes silicon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a first infrared light emitting diode connected to said first optical fiber with a first nonimaging coupler, a second infrared light emitting diode connected to said second optical fiber with a second nonimaging coupler and a third infrared light emitting diode connected to said third optical fiber with a third nonimaging coupler.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first branch waveguide has a phase shift Δφ 1 of approximately 0, said second branch waveguide has a phase shift Δφ 2 of approximately +2π/3λ and said third branch waveguide has a phase shift Δφ 3 of approximately -2π/3λ, where λ is the wavelength of a millimeter wave source.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor amplifier connected to said proximal rib waveguide, wherein said proximal rib waveguide i) includes a dielectric waveguide that includes polytetrafluoroethylene and ii) is at least partially covered with a metal film.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method of making the apparatus of claim 1, comprising: providing a substrate; forming said proximal rib waveguide on said substrate; forming said first branch waveguide on said substrate; forming said second branch waveguide on said substrate; and forming said third branch waveguide on said substrate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
A signal processing system, comprising at least two of the apparatus of claim 1.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
9 words
A method, comprising utilizing the apparatus of claim 1.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
194 words
An apparatus, comprising: a first phased array including a first bus waveguide and a first plurality of phase shifters, each of said first plurality of phase shifters i) being connected to said first bus waveguide with a proximal rib wave guide and ii) including, a first plasma induced modulator connected to said proximal rib waveguide, said first plasma induced modulator having a first transmission coefficient a and including: a first branch waveguide connected to said proximal rib waveguide; and a first photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector connected to said first branch waveguide; a second plasma induced modulator connected to said proximal rib waveguide, said second plasma induced modulator having a second transmission coefficient b and including: a second branch waveguide connected to said proximal rib waveguide; and a second photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector connected to said second branch waveguide; and a third plasma induced modulator connected to said proximal rib waveguide, said third plasma induced modulator having a third transmission coefficient c and including: a third branch waveguide connected to said proximal rib waveguide; and a third photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector connected to said third branch waveguide, wherein a, b and c are each ≦1.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
194 words
An apparatus, comprising: a first phased array including a first bus waveguide and a first plurality of phase shifters, each of said first plurality of phase shifters i) being connected to said first bus waveguide with a proximal rib wave guide and ii) including, a first plasma induced modulator connected to said proximal rib waveguide, said first plasma induced modulator having a first transmission coefficient a and including: a first branch waveguide connected to said proximal rib waveguide; and a first photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector connected to said first branch waveguide; a second plasma induced modulator connected to said proximal rib waveguide, said second plasma induced modulator having a second transmission coefficient b and including: a second branch waveguide connected to said proximal rib waveguide; and a second photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector connected to said second branch waveguide; and a third plasma induced modulator connected to said proximal rib waveguide, said third plasma induced modulator having a third transmission coefficient c and including: a third branch waveguide connected to said proximal rib waveguide; and a third photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector connected to said third branch waveguide, wherein a, b and c are each ≦1.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a second phased array connected to said first phased array with a trunk waveguide, wherein said first phased array includes a first end feed array and said second phased array includes a second end feed array.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said first bus waveguide includes a circular dielectric waveguide, said second phased array includes a bus waveguide having a second circular dielectric waveguide, said second phased array is connected to said first phased array in parallel, said first phased array includes a first pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor amplifier and said second phased array includes a second pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor amplifier.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a second phased array connected to said first phased array with a trunk waveguide, wherein said first phased array includes a first series phase shifter array and said second phased array includes a second series phase shifter array.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said second phased array is connected to said first phased array in parallel, said first phased array includes a first pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor amplifier and said second phased array includes a second pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor amplifier.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a second phased array connected to said first phased array with a trunk waveguide, wherein said first phased array includes a first center feed array and said second phased array includes a second center feed array.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said second phased array is connected to said first phased array in parallel, said first phased array includes a first pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor amplifier and said second phased array includes a second pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor amplifier.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a second phased array connected to said first phased array with a trunk waveguide, wherein said first phased array includes a first equal path length feed array and said second phased array includes a second equal path length feed array.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said second phased array is connected to said first phased array in parallel, said first phased array includes a first pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor amplifier and said second phased array includes a second pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor amplifier.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method of making the apparatus of claim 9, comprising: providing a substrate; forming said first bus waveguide on said substrate; and forming said first branch waveguide, said second branch waveguide and said third branch waveguide of each of said first plurality of phase shifters on said substrate.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
A signal processing system, comprising at least two of the apparatus of claim 9.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
9 words
A method, comprising utilizing the apparatus of claim 9.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
231 words
A method, comprising: providing a proximal rib waveguide; providing a phase shifter connected to said proximal rib waveguide, said phase shifter including: a first plasma induced modulator connected to said proximal rib waveguide, said first plasma induced modulator having a first transmission coefficient a, where a≦1, and including: a first branch waveguide connected to said proximal rib waveguide; and a first photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector connected to said first branch waveguide; a second plasma induced modulator connected to said proximal rib waveguide, said second plasma induced modulator having a second transmission coefficient b, where b≦1, and including: a second branch waveguide connected to said proximal rib waveguide; and a second photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector connected to said second branch waveguide; and a third plasma induced modulator connected to said proximal rib waveguide, said third plasma induced modulator having a third transmission coefficient c, where c≦1, and including: a third branch waveguide connected to said proximal rib waveguide; and a third photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector connected to said third branch waveguide; applying an electromagnetic signal to said proximal rib waveguide; applying a first infrared signal to said first photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector through a first optical fiber; applying a second infrared signal to said second photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector through a second optical fiber; and applying a third infrared signal to said third photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector through a third optical fiber.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
231 words
A method, comprising: providing a proximal rib waveguide; providing a phase shifter connected to said proximal rib waveguide, said phase shifter including: a first plasma induced modulator connected to said proximal rib waveguide, said first plasma induced modulator having a first transmission coefficient a, where a≦1, and including: a first branch waveguide connected to said proximal rib waveguide; and a first photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector connected to said first branch waveguide; a second plasma induced modulator connected to said proximal rib waveguide, said second plasma induced modulator having a second transmission coefficient b, where b≦1, and including: a second branch waveguide connected to said proximal rib waveguide; and a second photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector connected to said second branch waveguide; and a third plasma induced modulator connected to said proximal rib waveguide, said third plasma induced modulator having a third transmission coefficient c, where c≦1, and including: a third branch waveguide connected to said proximal rib waveguide; and a third photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector connected to said third branch waveguide; applying an electromagnetic signal to said proximal rib waveguide; applying a first infrared signal to said first photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector through a first optical fiber; applying a second infrared signal to said second photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector through a second optical fiber; and applying a third infrared signal to said third photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector through a third optical fiber.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
79 words
The method of claim 21, wherein said electromagnetic signal includes a millimeter wave signal and an output signal amplitude I out from said phase shifter varies as a function of an input signal amplitude I o to said proximal rib waveguide according to a relationship I.sub.out (a,b,c)=aI.sub.o /3+(bI.sub.o /3)exp(2πi/3)+(cI.sub.o /3)exp(-2πi/3), where aI o /3 represents a first branch signal amplitude, (bI o /3)exp(2πi/3) represents a second branch signal amplitude and (cI o /3)exp(-2πi/3) represents a third branch signal amplitude.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 22, wherein said output signal amplitude I out from said phase shifter varies as a function of said input signal amplitude I o to said proximal rib waveguide according to a relationship I.sub.out =(2(3.sup.1/2).sup.-1 I.sub.o)exp(iφ.sub.out), where φ out represents an output signal phase shift.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
231 words
A method, comprising: providing a proximal rib waveguide; providing a phase shifter connected to said proximal rib waveguide, said phase shifter including: a first plasma induced modulator connected to said proximal rib waveguide, said first plasma induced modulator having a first transmission coefficient a, where a≦1, and including: a first branch waveguide connected to said proximal rib waveguide; and a first photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector connected to said first branch waveguide; a second plasma induced modulator connected to said proximal rib waveguide, said second plasma induced modulator having a second transmission coefficient b, where b≦1, and including: a second branch waveguide connected to said proximal rib waveguide; and a second photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector connected to said second branch waveguide; and a third plasma induced modulator connected to said proximal rib waveguide, said third plasma induced modulator having a third transmission coefficient c, where c≦1, and including: a third branch waveguide connected to said proximal rib waveguide; and a third photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector connected to said third branch waveguide; collecting an electromagnetic signal from said proximal rib waveguide; applying a first infrared signal to said first photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector through a first optical fiber; applying a second infrared signal to said second photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector through a second optical fiber; and applying a third infrared signal to said third photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector through a third optical fiber.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
231 words
A method, comprising: providing a proximal rib waveguide; providing a phase shifter connected to said proximal rib waveguide, said phase shifter including: a first plasma induced modulator connected to said proximal rib waveguide, said first plasma induced modulator having a first transmission coefficient a, where a≦1, and including: a first branch waveguide connected to said proximal rib waveguide; and a first photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector connected to said first branch waveguide; a second plasma induced modulator connected to said proximal rib waveguide, said second plasma induced modulator having a second transmission coefficient b, where b≦1, and including: a second branch waveguide connected to said proximal rib waveguide; and a second photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector connected to said second branch waveguide; and a third plasma induced modulator connected to said proximal rib waveguide, said third plasma induced modulator having a third transmission coefficient c, where c≦1, and including: a third branch waveguide connected to said proximal rib waveguide; and a third photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector connected to said third branch waveguide; collecting an electromagnetic signal from said proximal rib waveguide; applying a first infrared signal to said first photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector through a first optical fiber; applying a second infrared signal to said second photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector through a second optical fiber; and applying a third infrared signal to said third photosensitive semiconductive plasma injector through a third optical fiber.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-12-01 | 2001-06-02 | 2001-12-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-12-01 | 2005-06-02 | 2005-12-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-12-01 | 2009-06-02 | 2009-12-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |