Optical True Time Delays
Project:
Optical true time delays for phased array antennas
Advisors: Dr. Betty-Lise Anderson
Students: Yi-Jui "Ray" Chen
Project: Investigation of optical loss and crosstalk. Being investigated is the optical loss and crosstalk in an optical true-time delay device, based on the White cell, that is designed to steer the radar beams from phased array antennas. There is one light beam for each antenna in the array, and many light beams can circulate in the White cell simultaneously. A MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical) micromirror array is used in the device to switch the light beams among White cells of varying lengths. The strengths of the approach are that a small amount of hardware can support very large phased arrays, and that the systems uses free-space (as opposed to fibers) for low loss and weight.
