OPTICAL SWITCH DESIGN FOR TRUE TIME-DELAY ARRAY ANTENNA

A new architecture for an optical system to achieve true time delay ph ased array antenna beam steering is proposed. This system is based on the association of switching matrixes and optical fibres of different lengths. A comparative study of the different available switch types h as been carried out and concludes that total internal reflection (TIR) switches fit the specific requirements, The switch and entire matrix are designed using 2D and 3D finite difference beam propagation method s (FD-BPM). Then, the electrical behaviour of the device is investigat ed using a drift diffusion model. Results show the following performan ce: fibre to fibre loss equal to 10 dB, crosstalk around -20 dB and ba ndwidth close to 160 MHz.