Towards a narrowband photonic sigma-delta digital antenna
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Authors
Bachmann, Darren J.
Pace, Phillip E.
Subjects
Advisors
Date of Issue
2012-02
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
A narrow-band photonic sigma-delta digital antenna is described as a system intended to provide a proof of concept for the use of photonics technology in the sampling of wide-band radio frequency (RF) signals. The ability to sample wide-band RF signals is an important requirement in modern electronic warfare (EW) systems where a determination of the existence of complex and often difficult to detect signals is sought. As an example, the class of signals referred to as low probability of intercept (LPI) is becoming increasingly common-place with the evolution of modern radar and communication systems. The emergence of this class has led to a concomitant demand for receivers that can provide the necessarily high sensitivity to detect these signals thereby enabling their classification in an electronic intelligence (ELINT) database or jamming using electronic attack (EA). The described system is designed to oversample the analog RF signal exciting an antenna at a rate at least 10 times higher than the Nyquist rate relative to the RF signal frequency (that is, twice the RF signal frequency). Numerous aspects of the development of the described concept demonstrator are presented and extended to outline the requirements for progressing the technology to wide-band capability.
Type
Technical Report
Description
Series/Report No
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
NPS-EC-12-001
Sponsors
Prepared for: Center for Joint Services Electronic Warfare, Naval Postgraduate School
Funding
Format
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.