JP2899555B2 - Optically controlled phased array antenna - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optically controlled phased array antenna which emits a plurality of radio signals in predetermined directions.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 15 is a block diagram of a conventional light-controlled phased array antenna disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 03-044422. In FIG. 15, a light radiator 101 divides a light beam emitted from a laser diode provided inside the light radiator 101 into two branched light beams, and uses one of the branched light beams as a first beam light 103 as it is. Then, the frequency of the other split light is shifted by the frequency of the radio signal input from the oscillator 102 and output as the second light 104 having a beam width d.

A first light beam 103 emitted from a light radiator 101 is transmitted through a mirror 105 to an image mask 1.
06 and passes through the image mask 106. The image mask 106 receives the first light beam 10
3 is converted into a light beam 107 corresponding to a beam shape of a desired antenna radiation pattern such as a fan beam pattern, and is emitted to the Fourier transform lens 8. Next, the Fourier transform lens 8 spatially Fourier-transforms the incident light beam 107, and converts the converted light beam 1 having a beam width d.
09 to the beam combiner 10. On the other hand, the light radiator 1
The second light beam 104 radiated from the first light beam 01 is radiated to the distribution adjuster 131, which adjusts the second light beam 104 to a predetermined beam width, and adjusts the second light beam 132. To the beam combiner 10. The beam combiner 10 receives the beam light 10 from the Fleet transform lens 8.
After mixing 9 and the beam light 132 from the distribution adjuster 131 and combining them, the combined light 111 having a beam width d is emitted to the fiber array 12.

[0004] The fiber array 12 is composed of a plurality of M sampling optical fibers juxtaposed on a certain plane so that the longitudinal directions of the sampling optical fibers are parallel at predetermined intervals. The synthesized light 111 is spatially sampled and incident on each sampling optical fiber. Each light beam incident on each sampling optical fiber is incident on each of the photoelectric converters 14-1 through 14-M via M optical fiber cables 13-1 through 13-M, respectively. Photoelectric converter 1
Reference numerals 4-1 to 14-M denote the incident light beam as the first light beam 103 and the second light beam 104, respectively.
After the photoelectric conversion into a radio signal that is proportional to the amplitude of the input light beam and coincides with the phase thereof, the power amplifiers 15-1 to 15-M and the power supply line 16-1
Through 16-M to antenna elements 17-1 to 17-M juxtaposed on a straight line or on a plane. As a result, the radio signals are transmitted from the antenna elements 17-1 to 17-M
Are radiated to the space in a radiation pattern set by the image mask 6.

[0005]

However, the conventional optically controlled phased array antenna has a problem that a plurality of radio signals cannot be radiated in predetermined directions.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and to provide an optically controlled phased array antenna capable of radiating a plurality of radio signals in predetermined directions.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optically controlled phased array antenna according to the first aspect.
And a plurality of N second light beams having frequencies different from each other by a frequency of the plurality of N first radio signals respectively input from the first frequency. Light radiating means, radiating means for expanding the plurality of N second light beams radiated from the light radiating means to respective predetermined beam widths and superimposing each other, and radiating from the radiating means Conversion means for spatially Fourier transforming the amplitude distribution and the phase distribution of the plurality of N second light beams superimposed on each other and emitting the plurality of N third light beams after the Fourier transform And the first light beam output from the light emitting means and the plurality of N third light beams emitted from the conversion means are combined to emit a combined fourth light beam. Beam synthesis means Sampling means for spatially sampling the fourth light beam output from the beam synthesizing means and outputting a plurality of sampled fifth light beams; and a plurality of M light beams output from the sampling means. And a plurality of M second wireless signals output from the photoelectric conversion unit. The photoelectric conversion unit outputs a plurality of M second wireless signals obtained by photoelectrically converting the fifth light beam. , And a plurality of M antenna elements that respectively radiate the plurality of N first wireless signals in a predetermined direction by radiating the plurality of N first radio signals to a space.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optically controlled phased array antenna according to the first aspect, wherein the radiation directions of the plurality of N first radio signals are further changed. And a plurality of light phase shifting means for shifting the plurality of N second light beams.

Further, a light controlled phased array antenna according to a third aspect of the present invention is the light controlled type phased array antenna according to the first aspect, further comprising a moving means for moving the radiating means.

Further, the light-controlled phased array antenna according to claim 4 is the light-controlled phased array antenna according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein
The first wireless signals are modulated by a predetermined modulation method according to an input signal.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. <First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a light-controlled phased array antenna according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The light-controlled phased array antenna of the first embodiment is different from the conventional light-controlled phased array antenna of FIG. 15 in that a light radiator 101, a high-frequency oscillator 102, a mirror 105, an image mask 106, and a distribution adjuster 131 are provided. By removing the phase-locked optical radiator 1, the high-frequency oscillators 4-1 to 4-N, and the modulators 5-1 to 5-
N, optical phase shifters 56-1 to 56-N, a phase controller 55, optical fiber cables 3-1 to 3-N, and a radiation lens array 20. It is characterized by radiating in the direction. The other parts of the light-controlled phased array antenna of the first embodiment are configured in the same manner as the conventional light-controlled phased array antenna.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the optically controlled phased array antenna according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, high-frequency oscillators 4-1 to 4-N generate high-frequency signals So1 to SoN having predetermined different frequencies, respectively, and output them to modulators 5-1 to 5-N, respectively. . Here, the high frequency signal So
The frequencies 1 to SoN are preferably set at predetermined frequency intervals. The modulators 5-1 to 5-N respectively modulate the frequencies of the input high-frequency signals So1 to SoN according to baseband signals B1 to BN input by a predetermined modulation method such as PSK, QAM, and the like. The modulated radio signal S1 having fm1 to fmN
To SN are output to the phase-locked optical radiator 1.
Here, the baseband signals B1 to BN are different from each other. The phase-locked light radiator 1 outputs a reference beam light having a predetermined frequency f ₀ to the lens 7 via the optical fiber cable 6 as described in detail later, and receives the reference beam light from the frequency fo of the reference beam light, respectively. The plurality of N light beams L1 to LN differing by the respective frequencies of the plurality of N wireless signals S1 to SN are respectively transmitted to the optical phase shifters 56-1 to 56-N.
Output to

Each of the optical phase shifters 56-1 to 56-N
Respectively, based on the control phase shift amount signal from the phase control device 55, respectively converts the input light beams L1 to LN into respective equal-phase surfaces (surfaces perpendicular to the optical axis) of the light beams L1 to LN. Antenna elements 17-1 to 17-M
Phase shift (phase distribution) so as to change the radiation direction of each of the radio signals S1 to SN radiated from the optical fiber cable 3-1 to the radiation lens array via the optical fiber cables 3-1 to 3-N. 20. Here, the control signal input to the phase control device 55 is a signal indicating each radiation direction of a plurality of N radio signals S1 to SN radiated from the array antenna, and the phase control device 55 is input to the control signal. Based on the control signal, a control phase shift signal indicating a phase shift distribution corresponding to each radiation direction of the radiation beams of the radio signals S1 to SN is output to each of the optical phase shifters 56-1 to 56-N. Here, the respective lengths of the optical fiber cables 3-1 to 3-N are such that when the respective control phase shift amounts of the respective optical phase shifters 56-1 to 56-N are 0, the respective light beams L1 to LN are equal. The same is set so as to be transmitted to the radiating lens array 20, whereby each of the light beams L 1 to LN output from the phase-locking optical radiator 1 is transmitted from the phase-locking optical radiator 1 to the radiating lens array 20 Each delay amount of the light beam between them is set to be the same.

As shown in FIG. 3, the radiation lens array 20 includes a plurality of N gradient index lenses (hereinafter, referred to as GRIN lenses) 2-1 to 2-N, which are Fourier transform lenses described later. 8 are arranged in a one-dimensional direction perpendicular to the optical axis 30, and the GRIN lenses 2-1 to 2-N are respectively input light beams L1 to LN.
Is spread to a predetermined beam width, and Gaussian distribution light beams GB1 to GBN corresponding to the light beams L1 to LN are emitted to the Fourier transform lens 8 so as to overlap each other.
Here, the radiation lens array 20 is a GRIN lens 2-1.
2 to N so that each output plane coincides with one focal plane P20 of the Fourier transform lens 8, and the optical axis of the GRIN lens 2-n provided at the center of the radiation lens array 20 coincides with the optical axis 30. It is provided so that. Also, GRIN
The lenses 2-1 to 2-N are cylindrical lenses having a distribution in which the refractive index changes continuously in the radial direction, and the diameter of the circular output surface is equal to the beam waist of the emitted Gaussian distribution beam. The diameter is ω ₀ . The optical fiber cables 3-1 to 3-N have cores 3a-1 to 3a-, respectively.
N and claddings 3b-1 to 3b-N are connected so that the axes of the cores 3a-1 to 3a-N coincide with the optical axes of the GRIN lenses 2-1 to 2-N.

The Fourier transform lens 8 spatially Fourier-transforms the amplitude distribution and the phase distribution of a plurality of N Gaussian distributed light beams GB1 to GBN emitted from the radiation lens array 20 and superimposed on each other. A mixed beam light 9 on which a plurality of the converted Fourier-transformed beam lights are superimposed is emitted to a beam combiner 10. The Fourier transform lens is described in, for example, the related art document “Takataka Ohkoshi“ Optical Electronics ”edited by the Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers, University Series of the Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers, F-1
0, pp. 55-58, published August 15, 1982. " The beam combiner 10 combines the mixed beam light 9 from the Fourier transform lens 8 and the reference beam light 32, and emits the combined beam light 11 to the fiber array 12. Here, since the mixed beam light 9 is obtained by superimposing a plurality of N Fourier-transformed beam lights as described above, the combined beam light 11 is obtained by mixing the plurality of N Fourier-transformed beam lights and the reference beam light. It is the light beam that was emitted. The reference beam light 32 is obtained by making the reference beam light output from the phase-locked light radiator 1 into a predetermined beam width by the lens 7 and entering the beam combiner 10.

The fiber array 12 is composed of a plurality of M sampling optical fibers 12-1 to 12-M, and an input surface P12 of the fiber array 12 is a Fourier transform lens 8.
Is provided at the other focal plane of the camera. As shown in FIG. 4, the sampling optical fibers 12-1 to 12-M are arranged such that the axes of the sampling optical fibers 12-1 to 12-M are parallel to each other and the sampling optical fibers 12-1 to 12-M. The M detection surfaces are linearly juxtaposed at a predetermined interval do so that the detection surface of M is located on the input surface P12 of the fiber array 12. The fiber array 12 is arranged such that the axis of the sampling optical fiber 12-m located at the center thereof coincides with the optical axis 30 and the arrangement direction of the sampling optical fibers 12-1 to 12-M is GRIN of the radiation lens array 20. The lenses 2-1 to 2-N are provided so as to be parallel to and aligned with the arrangement direction of the lenses 2-1 to 2-N.

Thus, the fiber array 12 spatially samples the incident synthetic beam light 11 at the input surface P12 of the fiber array 12 by the detection surfaces of the sampling optical fibers 12-1 to 12-M. The sampled light beams are output to the photoelectric converters 14-1 to 14-M via the optical fiber cables 13-1 to 13-M, respectively. Here, the sampling beam light includes a plurality of spatially sampled Fourier-transformed beam lights and a spatially sampled reference beam light.

Each of the photoelectric converters 14-1 to 14-M has a different sampling light beam from the frequency fo of the reference light beam by a frequency corresponding to a plurality of N Fourier transform light beams. After photoelectrically converting the multiplexed radio signal into a multiplexed radio signal composed of a plurality of N radio signals that are proportional to the amplitude of each Fourier transform beam light and coincide with the phase thereof, the multiplexed radio signals are respectively converted into power amplifiers 15-1 to 15-M and The signal is output to the antenna elements 17-1 to 17-M arranged in a straight line via the feeder lines 16-1 to 16-M. Here, the power amplifiers 15-1 to 15-M are configured to power-amplify high-frequency signals having frequencies fm1 to fmN, respectively. by this,
Each of the multiplexed radio signals is transmitted through antenna elements 17-1 to 17-1.
7-M, the respective radiation beams of the plurality of N radio signals S1 to SN are respectively radiated into space in a predetermined radiation direction as described later.

Next, the configuration of the phase-locked optical radiator 1 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the phase-locked optical radiator 1
-1 to 18-N, 19, and optical distributors 21-1 to 21-21
-N, 22, 23 and beam combiners 33-1 to 33-
N, photoelectric converters 34-1 to 34-N, and signal comparators 35-1 to 35-N. In FIG. 2, radio signals S1 to SN, which are transmission signals, are input to signal comparators 35-1 to 35-N, respectively. In the phase-locked light radiator 1, each laser diode 18-k (k = 1,
2,..., N, k in the present specification unless otherwise specified.
= 1, 2,..., N. ) Generates and outputs a light beam having a predetermined frequency. Light distributor 21
-K is, for example, a beam splitter or the like, splits the beam light output from the laser diode 18-k into two, and connects one of the branched beam lights to the phase-locked light radiator 1 as the beam light Lk. Output to the phase shifter 56-k,
The other split beam light is output to the beam combiner 33-k.

On the other hand, the laser diode 19 generates and outputs a reference light beam having a predetermined frequency fo. The light distributor 22 includes, for example, a beam splitter or the like, divides the reference beam light output from the laser diode 19 into two, and uses one of the branched reference beam lights as the reference beam light to the lens 7 via the optical fiber cable 6. And outputs the other branched reference beam light to the optical distributor 23. The optical splitter 23 splits the other split reference beam light output from the optical splitter 22 into a plurality N, and outputs the split split reference beam lights to the beam combiners 33-1 to 33-N, respectively. .

The beam combiner 33-k combines the split reference beam light input from the optical splitter 23 and the split beam light input from the optical splitter 21-k, and synthesizes the combined beam light. Is output to the photoelectric converter 34-k. The photoelectric converter 34-k photoelectrically converts the input combined beam light into a radio signal having a frequency of a difference between the branch light beam and the branch reference light beam, and outputs the wireless signal to the signal comparator 35-k. The signal comparator 35-k compares the radio signal input from the photoelectric converter 34-k with the radio signal Sk input from the modulator 5-k, and calculates an error voltage proportional to the frequency difference between the two signals. Signal C
k is output to the laser diode 18-k. The excitation current of the laser diode 18-k changes in response to the error voltage signal Ck, and the oscillation frequency of the laser diode 18-k changes.

In the phase-controlled light radiator 1 configured as described above, the oscillation of the laser diode 18-k is adjusted so that the frequencies of the two radio signals input to the signal comparator 35-k match. The frequency is controlled. Accordingly, the frequency fo of the light beam Lk output from the optical distributor 21-k
The frequency of the difference between + fmk and the frequency fo of the reference beam light output from the optical distributor 22 is controlled so as to match the frequency fmk of the radio signal Sk output from the modulator 5-k.

Next, the operation of the optically controlled phased array antenna configured as described above will be described. In FIG. 1, high-frequency signals So1 to SoN generated by high-frequency oscillators 4-1 to 4-N respectively correspond to modulators 5-1.
5 to N, and modulated according to the baseband signals B1 to BN, and output to the phase-locked optical radiator 1 as radio signals S1 to SN. Then, the reference light beam having a predetermined frequency fo is output to the lens 7 via the optical fiber cable 6 by the phase-locked light radiator 1, and a plurality of N reference light beams respectively input from the frequency fo of the reference light beam Are transmitted to the optical phase shifters 56-1 to 56-N, respectively, having a plurality of N light beams L1 to LN having different frequencies (fo + fm1) to (fo + fmN) by the respective frequencies of the wireless signals S1 to SN.

The light beams L1 to LN are phase-shifted by a predetermined control phase amount by the optical phase shifters 56-1 to 56-N, respectively, and then transmitted through the optical fiber cables 3-1 to 3-N. Is input to the radiation lens array 20 and G
The beam is expanded to a predetermined beam width by the RIN lenses 2-1 to 2-N, and the light beams L1 to L
The Gaussian distribution light beams GB1 to GBN corresponding to N are emitted to the Fourier transform lens 8 so as to overlap each other.

Each of the plurality of N Gaussian distribution beam lights GB1 to GBN superimposed on each other is spatially Fourier-transformed by the Fourier transform lens 8 in terms of its amplitude distribution and phase distribution. Is emitted to the beam combiner 10 as a mixed beam light 9 superimposed. The mixed beam light 9 is combined with the reference beam light 32 by the beam combiner 10, and the combined beam light 11 after being combined is emitted from the beam combiner 10 to the fiber array 12.

The combined beam light is applied to each sampling optical fiber 12-1 at the input surface P12 of the fiber array 12.
12-M, and the sampled light beams are spatially sampled by the detection surfaces 12-M and the photoelectric converters 14-1 through 14-M via the optical fiber cables 13-1 through 13-M, respectively. Is output to

Each of the sampling light beams has a frequency different from the frequency fo of the reference light beam by each of a plurality of N Fourier transform light beams by the photoelectric converters 14-1 to 14-M. A plurality of N that are proportional to the amplitude of the converted light beam and coincide with the phase thereof
Photoelectrically converted into a multiplexed radio signal composed of
The signals are output to the antenna elements 17-1 to 17-M via the power amplifiers 15-1 to 15-M, respectively. As a result, each multiplexed radio signal is transmitted to the antenna element 17-1.
To 17-M, the respective radiation beams of the plurality of N wireless signals S1 to SN are respectively radiated from the array antenna into space in a predetermined radiation direction as described later.

Next, the radiation directions of the radiation beams of the N radio signals S1 to SN radiated from the array antenna will be described. In the following description, first, each optical phase shifter 56
The case where the control phase shift amounts of −1 to 56-N are 0 will be described, and then the case where the control phase shift amounts of the optical phase shifters 56-1 to 56-N are not 0 will be described.

(1) When each control phase shift amount in the optical phase shifters 56-1 to 56-N is 0. In the optically controlled phased array antenna of FIG.
The Gaussian distribution beam GBk emitted from the RIN lens 2-k and incident on the Fourier transform lens is Fourier-transformed once by the Fourier transform lens 8, and the input plane P1
2 is a Fourier transform image (ie, a Fraunhofer diffraction image) of the Gaussian distribution beam GBk, and the Fourier transform image is spatially sampled by the fiber array 12. Thereafter, by radiating from the array antenna including the antenna elements 17-1 to 17-M, the radiation pattern of the array antenna becomes a Fourier transform image of the amplitude and phase distribution at the aperture of the array antenna (that is, a Fraunhofer diffraction image). Becomes That is, since the amplitude-phase distribution of the Gaussian distribution beam GBk incident on the Fourier transform lens 8 is subjected to Fourier transform twice, the amplitude-phase distribution of the Gaussian distribution beam GBk incident on the Fourier transform lens 8 is known as an array. This will uniquely correspond to the amplitude / phase distribution of the far-field wireless signal Sk radiated by the antenna.

Here, the amplitude and phase distribution of the Gaussian distribution beam GBk incident on the Fourier transform lens 8 uniquely corresponds to the distance ro from the optical axis 30 of the GRIN lens 2-k that emits the Gaussian distribution beam GBk. . Thereby, the radiation beam of the radio signal Sk radiated from the array antenna corresponding to the Gaussian distribution beam GBk radiated from the GRIN lens 2-k corresponds to the distance ro from the optical axis 30 of the GRIN lens 2-k. Predetermined radiation direction (Fig. 1
(Shown to the right of).

That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the radiation beam of the radio signal Sn radiated from the array antenna corresponding to the Gaussian distribution beam GBn radiated from the GRIN lens 2-n located at the center of the radiation lens array 20 Has a radiation direction perpendicular to the radiation surface of the array antenna, and a Gaussian distribution radiated from the GRIN lens 2-1 and the GRIN lens 2-N located farthest from the optical axis 30 in the radiation lens array 20. Each radiation beam of the radio signals S1 and SN radiated from the array antenna corresponding to the beam GB1 and the Gaussian distribution beam GBN has a radiation direction having the largest angle with respect to the vertical direction of the radiation surface of the array antenna. The radiation beam of the radio signal S2 radiated from the array antenna corresponding to the Gaussian distribution beam GB2 radiated from the GRIN lens 2-2 positioned adjacent to the GRIN lens 2-1 in the radiation lens array 20 is Gaussian. The wireless signal S1 radiated corresponding to the distributed beam GB1 has a radiation direction adjacent to the radiation direction of the radiation beam.

As described above, the optical phase shifters 56-1 to 55-1
When the control phase shift amount of 6-N is 0, the radiation beams of the plurality of N wireless signals S1 to SN radiated from the array antenna are focused on the focal plane P2 of the GRIN lenses 2-1 to 2-N.
It is emitted into space in each emission direction corresponding to the position at 0.

(2) When each control phase shift amount in the optical phase shifters 56-1 to 56-N is not 0. In this case, the Gaussian distribution beam GBk emitted from the GRIN lens 2-k is converted by the optical phase shifter 56-k.
The phase is shifted so as to have a predetermined phase distribution corresponding to the radiation direction of the radio signal Sk. That is, the phase plane of the Gaussian distribution beam GBk is determined by the antenna elements 17-1 to 17-M
Are shifted with a phase gradient (phase distribution) such that the radiation direction of the radio signal Sk radiated from the hologram is changed, so that the amplitude phase distribution of the Gaussian distribution beam GBk incident on the Fourier transform lens 8 is Distance r from optical axis 30 of GRIN lens 2-k that emits Gaussian distribution beam GBk
o and the phase distribution. Therefore, when the control phase shift amounts of the optical phase shifters 56-1 to 56-N are not 0, the respective radiation beams of the plurality of N wireless signals S1 to SN are output from the optical phase shifters 56-1 to 56-N. Focal plane P20 of GRIN lenses 2-1 to 2-N when N control phase shift amount is 0
Are radiated from the array antenna to the space from each radiation direction corresponding to each position in the array antenna in each radiation direction rotated by each control phase shift amount, that is, each angle corresponding to the phase distribution of the light beam.

As described in detail above, the optically controlled phased array antenna of the first embodiment is the same as the optically controlled phased array antenna of the prior art, except for the light radiator 101, the high-frequency oscillator 102, the mirror 105, and the image mask 10.
6 and the distribution adjuster 131, the phase-locked optical radiator 1, the high-frequency oscillators 4-1 to 4-N, the modulators 5-1 to 5-N, and the optical phase shifters 56-1 to 56-N. And phase controller 5
5 and the radiation lens array 20, the Gaussian distribution beam GB1 radiated from the radiation lens array 20
, And a plurality of N radio signals S1 to SN can be radiated in predetermined directions in correspondence with the radiation positions of GBN.

Since the optically controlled phased array antenna of the first embodiment includes a plurality of N optical phase shifters 56-1 to 56-N, a plurality of N radio signals S1 to SN are output. The radiation directions are changed by the optical phase shifters 56-1 to 56-1, respectively.
It can be changed corresponding to the control phase shift amount of −N.

<Second Embodiment> FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an optically controlled phased array antenna according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The optically controlled phased array antenna of the second embodiment is the same as the optically controlled phased array antenna of the first embodiment shown in FIG.
By removing the modulators 5-1 to 5-N, the optical modulator 51-
1 to 51-N, and the first of FIG.
The configuration is the same as that of the optically controlled phased array antenna of the embodiment.

In the light-controlled phased array antenna of the second embodiment shown in FIG.
1-N respectively modulate the frequencies of the light beams Lo1 to LoN output from the phase-locked light radiator 1 in accordance with the input baseband signals B1 to BN by a predetermined modulation method such as intensity modulation, for example. The modulated light beams L1 to LN are respectively used as optical phase shifters 56-1 to 56-.
Output to N. Here, the light beams Lo1 to LoN are respectively converted from the frequency fo of the reference light beam to the high-frequency signal So.
This is a light beam having a frequency different from the frequency of 1 to SoN.

The light-controlled phased array antenna of the second embodiment configured as described above operates similarly to the light-controlled phased array antenna of the first embodiment except for the above-described points. Therefore, the optically controlled phased array antenna of the second embodiment has the same effect as the optically controlled phased array antenna of the first embodiment.

<Third Embodiment> FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a light-controlled phased array antenna according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The light controlled phased array antenna of the third embodiment is the same as the light controlled phased array antenna of the first embodiment of FIG.
A laser diode 52 instead of the phase-locked light radiator 1
And optical distributors 53 and 54 and optical modulators 51-1 to 51-N
And is configured as follows.

That is, the laser diode 52 generates a beam light having a frequency fo and outputs the beam light to the light distributor 53. The light distributor 53 divides the beam light into two beam lights and converts one of the beam lights into a reference beam. The light is output to the lens 7 via the optical fiber cable 6 as light, and the other light beam is output to the light distributor 54. The light distributor 54 divides the input light beam into a plurality of N light beams, and outputs the divided light beams to the light modulators 51-1 to 51-N, respectively.
The high-frequency oscillators 4-1 to 4-N each have a predetermined high-frequency signal So1 having a different frequency.
To SoN, and the modulators 5-1 to 5-
N, and the modulators 5-1 to 5-N receive the input high-frequency signals So1 to SoN, for example, in accordance with the input baseband signals B1 to BN, for example, PSK and QA.
M and the like and modulate the radio signal S
1 to SN are output to the optical modulators 51-1 to 51-N, respectively.

Each of the optical modulators 51-1 to 51-N sets the frequency of the light beam output from the optical distributor 54,
The light beams S1 to SN are shifted by the respective frequencies of the input radio signals S1 to SN, and the shifted light beams L1 to LN are output to the optical phase shifters 56-1 to 56-N, respectively. Except for the above points, the configuration is the same as that of the optically controlled phased array antenna of the first embodiment in FIG.

The light-controlled phased array antenna of the third embodiment configured as described above operates similarly to the light-controlled phased array antenna of the first embodiment except for the above-described points. Therefore, the optically controlled phased array antenna of the third embodiment has the same effect as the optically controlled phased array antenna of the first embodiment.

<Modification of First Embodiment> FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a light-controlled phased array antenna according to a modification of the first embodiment. The optically controlled phased array antenna of this modification is different from the optically controlled phased array antenna of the first embodiment in FIG. 1 in that the optical phase shifters 56-1 to 56-N and the phase controller 55 are different from each other. A moving mechanism 57 that removes the radiation lens array 20 one-dimensionally in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis 30 and a control device 58 that controls the operation of the moving mechanism 57 are provided.

In the light-controlled phased array antenna according to the modification of the first embodiment, the control of the radiation direction of the radiation pattern is performed as follows. That is, based on the predetermined desired radiation direction, the control device 58 controls the moving mechanism 57 so as to move the radiation lens array 20 one-dimensionally in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis 30. The optically controlled phased array antenna of the modified example operates similarly to the optically controlled phased array antenna of the first embodiment of FIG. 1 except for the above-described points.

Therefore, in the modification of FIG. 14, the radiation direction of the radiation pattern can be changed by using the moving mechanism 57, and the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

In the optically controlled phased array antenna according to the modification shown in FIG.
Although the entire radiation lens array 20 is moved, the present invention is not limited to this.
The lenses 2-1 to 2-N may be moved separately.

<Other Modifications> In the above second and third embodiments, the radiation direction of the radiation pattern is changed by using the optical phase shifters 56-1 to 56-N and the phase controller 55. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and similarly to the modification of FIG. 14, instead of the optical phase shifters 56-1 to 56-N and the phase controller 55, a moving mechanism 57 and a control device are used. 58, the radiation direction of the radiation pattern may be changed. Even with the above configuration, the same operation as in the second and third embodiments is performed and the same effect is obtained.

In the first to third embodiments, the radiation lens array 20 in which the GRIN lenses 2-1 to 2-N are arranged in one-dimensional direction, and the sampling optical fibers 12-1 to 12-M Are arrayed in a one-dimensional direction, and the antenna elements 17-1 to 17-
The array was configured using an array antenna in which N were arranged in a one-dimensional direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a radiation lens array in which a plurality of GRIN lenses 2-1 to 2-N are arranged in a two-dimensional direction in a matrix shape, and a plurality of sampling optical fibers are arranged in a two-dimensional direction in a matrix shape. A configuration may be made using an arrayed fiber array and an array antenna in which a plurality of antenna elements are arrayed in a two-dimensional direction in a matrix shape. With the above configuration, the radiation direction can be set three-dimensionally.
It has the same effect as the first to third embodiments.

Furthermore, in the modification of the first embodiment, the moving mechanism 57 for moving the radiation lens array 20 in one-dimensional direction and the moving mechanism 57 for controlling the moving mechanism 57 are used. The present invention is not limited to this, and may be configured using a moving mechanism that moves the radiation lens array 20 in two dimensions and a moving mechanism that controls the moving mechanism. In this case, a radiation lens array in which a plurality of GRIN lenses 2-1 to 2-N are arranged in a two-dimensional direction in a matrix shape, and a fiber array in which a plurality of sampling optical fibers are arranged in a two-dimensional direction in a matrix shape, By using an array antenna in which a plurality of antenna elements are arranged in a two-dimensional direction in a matrix shape, the radiation direction can be set three-dimensionally, which is the same as in the modification of the first embodiment. Has an effect.

In the first to third embodiments described above,
The fiber array 12 is a sampling optical fiber 12-1.
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be configured using a plurality of optical waveguides formed on a substrate. With the above configuration, the first
The same operations and effects as those of the third to third embodiments are obtained, and the sampling optical fibers 12-1 to 12-1
Since the optical waveguides can be formed at narrower intervals as compared with the case where they are arranged using −M, the combined beam light 11 can be spatially sampled at narrower intervals, and the combined beam light 11 input to the input surface P12 can be efficiently processed. Can sample.

In the first to third embodiments described above, the phase-locked optical radiators 1 each have a frequency (fo + fm1)
N light beams L1 having (fo + fmN)
To LN, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the frequencies (fo-fm1) to (fo-
fmN) may be output.

In the first to third embodiments described above, a dipole antenna, a metal patch antenna formed on a dielectric substrate, a horn antenna, or the like is used as the antenna elements 17-1 to 17-M. Can be.

In the first to third embodiments described above, a plurality N of high frequency signals So1 having different frequencies from each other are provided.
Although the present invention is not limited to this configuration, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The configuration includes a high-frequency oscillator that generates a plurality of N high-frequency signals having the same frequency. May be. In this case, N high-frequency oscillators may be provided, or one high-frequency oscillator and a distributor for distributing N high-frequency signals output from the high-frequency oscillator may be provided.
With the above configuration, a plurality of N radio signals having the same frequency can be respectively radiated in predetermined different directions.

In the above-described first to third embodiments, the modulators 5-1 to 5-1 to modulate the frequencies of the input high-frequency signals So1 to SoN according to the different baseband signals B1 to BN and output. Although the configuration is provided with 5-N, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be configured with a plurality of N modulators that perform modulation according to the same baseband signal. With the above configuration, for example, a plurality of N radio signals having different frequencies, for example, modulated according to the same baseband signal, can be radiated in predetermined different directions.

In the first to third embodiments described above, a plurality of N high-frequency signals So1 having different frequencies from each other are provided.
4-1 to 4-N for generating high-frequency signals So1 to SoN, respectively, and the frequency of the high-frequency signals So1 to SoN to be input are set to different baseband signals B1 for input.
5-1 to 5 that modulate and output according to BN
However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a plurality of N modulators that modulate according to the same baseband signal and a high-frequency oscillator that generates a plurality of N high-frequency signals having the same frequency are provided. May be provided. With the above-described configuration, it is possible to radiate a plurality of N radio signals having the same frequency modulated based on the same baseband signal in predetermined directions different from each other.

In the first to third embodiments described above, the antenna element 17-
Radio signals S1 to SN radiated from 1 to 17-M
Are provided with optical phase shifters 56-1 to 56-N that perform optical phase shift with a phase gradient (phase distribution) so as to change the radiation direction of light. Phaser 56-
You may comprise without providing 1-56-N.

In the first to third embodiments described above, the optical phase shifters 56-1 to 56-N are provided, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the optical phase shifters 56-1 to 56-N are provided. The following configuration may be adopted without -N. That is, the light beams L1 to LN output from the phase-locked light radiator 1
Are respectively distributed to a plurality of L light beams, and a plurality of (N × L) light beams distributed by the respective light distributors are shifted by a predetermined phase shift amount.
Optical phase shifters. Here, the L optical phase shifters to which the respective light beams into which the light beams Lk are distributed are input so that the radiation direction of the radio signal Sk radiated from the antenna elements 17-1 to 17-M changes. Is shifted by a predetermined phase shift amount and output. The beam light output from each optical phase shifter is input to a GREN lens via an optical fiber cable, and
The light is emitted from the lens to the Fourier transform lens 8. Here, with respect to the green lens 2-1 of the first embodiment,
In this modification, L green lenses are provided, and similarly, green green lenses are provided for each of the green lenses 2-2 to 2-N of the first embodiment. In the radiation lens array 20 of this modification, (N × L) GRE
The N lenses are arranged in a straight line, and the output light beams of the (N × L) optical phase shifters are input to the corresponding (N × L) GREN lenses. Even with the above configuration, similarly to the first to third embodiments, a plurality of N wireless signals S1 to SN can be radiated in a predetermined direction, and similar to the first to third embodiments. Has the effect of

[0058]

FIG. 5 shows the input plane P12 of the fiber array 12.
5 is a graph showing a light excitation intensity distribution in FIG. In the graph of FIG. 5, the horizontal axis is the optical axis 3 on the input surface P12.
The vertical axis represents the normalized amplitude of the optical excitation intensity distribution. FIG. 5 shows simulations for the case where a Gaussian distribution beam is incident and for the case where a uniform amplitude distribution beam is incident. Regarding the Gaussian distribution beam, simulations were performed for three cases in which the distance ro from the optical axis 30 was radiated from three different positions of 0 μm, 125 μm, and 250 μm in the focal plane P20 of the Fourier transform lens 8. The same optical excitation intensity distribution was obtained regardless of the radiation position of the beam. Here, main parameters other than the distance ro are a beam waist diameter ω ₀ of a Gaussian distribution beam = 62.5 μm, a focal length F of the Fourier transform lens 8 = 120 mm, and a wavelength λ _{0 of the} light beam = 1.3.
It was set to μm. As is clear from the graph of FIG.
The optical excitation intensity distribution at the location of 2 mm <distance x <2 mm, that is, in the vicinity of the optical axis 30, does not differ greatly between the case where the Gaussian distribution beam is incident and the case where the uniform amplitude distribution beam is incident, but the optical axis 30. The sidelobe levels away from are different.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing the phase distribution of the light excitation intensity with respect to the distance x at the input surface P12 of the fiber array 12 when each light beam enters under the same conditions as in FIG. As is clear from FIG. 6, on the optical axis (ro = 0 μm)
When the light beam is emitted in m), the phase becomes equal at any position on the input surface P12. Further, when the radiation position of the light beam is separated from the optical axis 30 (in FIG. 6, ro =
(In the case of 125 μm and ro = 250 μm) The phase changes linearly with respect to the distance x from the optical axis 30 on the input surface P12. It turns out that it becomes large. The phase distribution is the same when a Gaussian distribution beam is incident and when a uniform amplitude distribution beam is incident.

FIG. 7 shows the beam width θHP of the radiation beam radiated from the array antenna with respect to the number M of antenna elements.
It is a graph which shows BW. Here, the beam width θHPBW of the radiation beam is, as shown in FIG. 8, the radiation direction 83 of the main beam and the standardized electric field intensity when the electric field intensity of the radiation direction 83 is 1 in the main beam. This is the angle between the radiation direction 82 that becomes 0.5. In the graph of FIG. 7, the beam waist diameter ω ₀ is 62.5 μm and 3
Radiation beams respectively corresponding to three light beams of a 1.25 μm Gaussian distribution beam and a uniform amplitude distribution beam are shown. As is clear from FIG. 7, the beam width θ of the radiation beam corresponding to any of the three light beams described above.
It can be seen that HPBW also decreases as the number M of antenna elements increases. The number M of antenna elements is approximately 20
In the following places, the beam widths θHPBW of the radiation beams corresponding to the above-mentioned three light beams substantially coincide, but when the number M of antenna elements exceeds approximately 20, the beam width of the radiation beam corresponding to the above-mentioned three light beams θHPBW shows different values. That is, in a portion where the number M of antenna elements exceeds 20, the beam waist diameter ω ₀ = 62.5 μm
Beam width θ of the radiation beam corresponding to the Gaussian distribution beam of
HPBW indicates a value larger than the beam width θHPBW of a radiation beam corresponding to a Gaussian distribution beam having a beam waist diameter ω ₀ = 31.25 μm and a uniform amplitude distribution beam. The beam width θHPBW of the radiation beam corresponding to the Gaussian distribution beam having the waist diameter ω ₀ = 31.25 μm becomes larger than the beam width θHPBW of the radiation beam corresponding to the uniform amplitude distribution beam.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing the relative amplitude with respect to the radiation angle of the radiation beam radiated from the array antenna when the radiation position of the Gaussian distribution beam is changed on the focal plane P20. The graph of FIG. 9 shows the focal plane P2
0, the distance ro = 0 μm from the optical axis 30 and the distance r
Simulations are shown for the case where a Gaussian distribution beam is emitted from three different positions at o = 125 μm and a distance ro = 250 μm. In the simulation, the number of antenna elements M = 9, the interval do between sampling optical fibers do = 125 μm, the beam waist diameter ω ₀ of the Gaussian distribution beam ω ₀ = 62.5 μm, the focal length F of the Fourier transform lens 8 F = 120 mm, the wavelength of the beam light λ ₀
= 1.3 μm, and the interval between antenna elements was set to １ ／ of the wavelength of the radiated radio signal. Further, in FIG. 9, the relative amplitude is normalized with reference to the maximum amplitude of the radiation beam corresponding to the Gaussian distribution beam emitted from the optical axis (distance ro = 0 μm) (also in FIGS. 10 and 11). The same is true). As is clear from the graph of FIG. 9, the beam angle of the radiation beam radiated from the array antenna increases as the position where the Gaussian distribution beam radiates away from the optical axis 30 at the focal plane P20. That is, it is shown that the beam angle of the radiation beam radiated from the array antenna can be set to a predetermined value by setting the position at which the Gaussian distribution beam radiates to a predetermined position. Here, the beam angle refers to an angle between the direction of the main beam of the radiation beam and the direction perpendicular to the radiation surface of the array antenna.

FIG. 10 shows that the simulation is performed in the same manner as in FIG. 9 except that the number of antenna elements is set to M = 161, and the radiation beam with respect to the radiation angle of the radiation beam radiated from the array antenna is simulated. 5 is a graph showing relative amplitude. By comparing the graph of FIG. 10 with the graph of FIG. 9, the position where the Gaussian beam is radiated, that is, the distance ro = 0 μm and the distance ro = 125 μ from the optical axis 30 are obtained.
The beam angle of the radiation beam corresponding to the three cases of m and the distance ro = 250 μm does not change even when the number M of antenna elements increases, but the beam width of the main beam of the radiation beam (hereinafter, simply referred to as the beam width) is equal to the antenna width. It can be seen that as the number M of elements increases, the width decreases.

The graph of FIG. 11 shows that, except that the interval do between the sampling optical fibers was set to 62.5 μm.
12 is a graph showing the relative amplitude of the radiation beam with respect to the radiation angle of the radiation beam radiated from the array antenna by performing a simulation in the same manner as in FIG. Comparing the graph of FIG. 10 with the graph of FIG. 11, by reducing the distance do between the sampling optical fibers, the array antenna responds to a Gaussian distribution beam emitted from a position at a distance ro = 0 μm from the optical axis 30. The beam angle of the emitted radiation beam does not change, but the distance ro = 125 μm
It can be seen that the beam angle of the radiation beam corresponding to the distance ro = 250 μm becomes smaller and the beam width of each radiation beam becomes smaller. That is, by changing the interval do of the sampling optical fibers, it is possible to change the beam angle of the radiation beam radiated from the array antenna corresponding to the Gaussian distribution beam radiated from a position away from the optical axis 30, Further, it shows that the beam width of the radiation beam can be changed.

The results shown in FIGS. 7 to 11 described above can be summarized as follows. (1) The beam width of the radiation beam radiated from the array antenna depends on the number M of antenna elements of the array antenna, the beam waist diameter ω ₀ of the Gaussian distribution beam, and the distance do between the sampling optical fibers. That is, by setting the number M of antenna elements, the beam waist diameter ω ₀ of the Gaussian distribution beam, and the distance do between the sampling optical fibers to predetermined values, the beam width of the radiation beam radiated from the array antenna to a predetermined value. Can be set. (2) The beam angle of the radiation beam radiated from the array antenna corresponding to the Gaussian distribution beam radiated from the optical axis 30 is always 0 degrees. That is, the direction of the main beam coincides with the vertical direction of the radiation surface of the array antenna. (3) The beam angle of the radiation beam radiated from the array antenna corresponding to the Gaussian distribution beam radiated from a position away from the optical axis 30 is between the optical axis 30 and the position where the Gaussian distribution beam is radiated. It depends on the distance ro and the distance do between the sampling optical fibers. That is, by setting the distance ro and the interval do to predetermined values, the beam angle of the radiation beam emitted from the array antenna can be set to a predetermined value.

Table 1 is a table showing the extracted phase difference (degree), the measured value of the beam angle (degree), and the calculated value of the beam angle (degree) with respect to the radiating positions No1 to No6 of the Gaussian beam. Here, the position of No1 is set on the optical axis 30 on the focal plane P20, and the positions of No2 to No6 are each 125 μm in the positive direction at a distance ro from the optical axis 30.
Set at intervals. In Table 1, the extracted phase difference corresponds to the value of the green lens 2 of the radiation lens array 20 at the position on the optical axis 30 (the position corresponding to No. 1 in Table 1).
The Fourier transform of the Gaussian distributed beam emitted from n is performed, and the combined beam combined with the reference beam is sampled by the sampling optical fiber of the fiber array 12 with reference to the phase at the input surface P12 of the sampled beam. This is the phase difference representing the phase at the input surface P12 of each sampling beam light sampled at the input surface P12 by the sampling optical fiber at that time. Here, the calculated value of the beam angle in Table 1 is described in “Y. Konishi, et al.,“ C.
arrival-to-noise radio and
siderobe level in a two-
laser model optically con
controlled array antennanusin
optics ", IEEE Transactions
non Antenna and Propagat
ion, vol. 40, no. 12, pp. 172-1
78, December 1992 ".

[0066]

[Table 1] Ｎｏ No Extracted phase difference from optical axis 30 Beam angle Beam angle distance ro (μm) (degree) Measured value (degree) Calculated value (degree) ──────────────────────────── ─────── 100 000 ─────────────────────────────────── 2 125 36 11.60 11.56 $ 3 250 72 23.66 23.61 {4 375 108 37.00 36.94} ５ 5 500 14 4 53.30 53.24 $ 6 625 180 75.00 00. 25 ───────────────────────────────────

As is evident from Table 1, the farther the radiation position of the Gaussian distribution beam is from the optical axis 30, the greater the extracted phase difference and beam angle. That is, it is shown that the direction of the main beam of the radiation beam radiated from the array antenna can be set to a predetermined direction by setting the position where the Gaussian distribution beam radiates to a predetermined position.

Further, from the results shown in Table 1, for example, in the first embodiment, the position of No. 1, ie, the optical axis 30
A GRIN lens 2-n located at the center of the radiation lens array 20 is provided on the upper side, and five GRIN lenses are provided at intervals of 125 μm in the positive and negative directions at a distance ro from the optical axis 30. From 180 degrees to -180
It is estimated that 11 multiple beams can be radiated so as to radiate a beam in the range of 75 degrees to -75 degrees with respect to the vertical direction of the radiation surface of the array antenna. Further, by arranging GRIN lenses in a 11 × 11 matrix shape in a plane, it is possible to emit 121 multiplex beams. However, the present invention is not limited to the above numerical values or numbers. For example, by setting the interval between GRIN lenses to a value smaller than 125 μm, it is possible to emit more multiple beams in a wider range.

[0069]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the optically controlled phased array antenna, the first beam light and the first beam light are each of the plurality of N first radio signals. Light emitting means for emitting a plurality of N second light beams having frequencies different only by a frequency;
A plurality of second light beams are respectively spatially Fourier-transformed, and the plurality of N second light beams are spatially Fourier-transformed. Conversion means for emitting a light beam; beam combining means for combining the first light beam and the plurality of N third light beams to emit a fourth light beam; and the fourth light beam Sampling means for spatially sampling and outputting a plurality of M fifth light beams, and a photoelectric conversion means for photoelectrically converting the plurality of M fifth light beams into a plurality of M second wireless signals And a plurality of M antenna elements that respectively radiate a plurality of M second radio signals to space, so that the plurality of N first radio signals can be radiated in predetermined directions. it can.

The light-controlled phased array antenna according to the second aspect of the present invention is the light-controlled phased array antenna according to the first aspect, wherein the radiation directions of the plurality N of first radio signals are further changed. And a plurality of optical phase shifting means for phase shifting the plurality of N second light beams, so that the radiation directions of the plurality of N first wireless signals are changed in accordance with the phase shift amount. Can be done.

Further, the light controlled phased array antenna according to the third aspect of the present invention further includes a moving means for moving the radiating means in the light controlled type phased array antenna according to the first aspect. The radiation direction of the plurality of N first wireless signals can be changed according to the amount of movement.

Further, the optically controlled phased array antenna according to claim 4 is the optically controlled phased array antenna according to claim 1, 2, or 3.
Since the first wireless signals are modulated by a predetermined modulation scheme according to an input signal, the plurality of modulated N
The first wireless signals can be respectively radiated in a predetermined direction.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a light-controlled phased array antenna according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the phase-locked light radiator 1 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing a GRIN lens array 20 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an input surface P12 of the fiber array 12.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing a normalized amplitude of light excitation intensity with respect to a distance x from an optical axis at an input surface P12 of the fiber array 12.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing the phase distribution of the light excitation intensity with respect to the distance x from the optical axis on the input surface P12 of the fiber array 12.

FIG. 7 shows the beam width θHPBW of the radiation beam emitted from the array antenna with respect to the number M of antenna elements when the beam waist diameter ω ₀ of the Gaussian distribution beam is changed.
FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a beam shape of a radiation beam radiated from an array antenna.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing a relative amplitude with respect to a radiation angle of a radiation beam radiated from an array antenna when the number of antenna elements is set to M = 9 and a distance between adjacent sampling optical fibers is set to do = 125 μm.

FIG. 10 is a graph showing a relative amplitude with respect to a radiation angle of a radiation beam radiated from an array antenna when the number of antenna elements is set to M = 161 and a distance between adjacent sampling optical fibers is set to do = 125 μm.

FIG. 11 is a graph showing a relative amplitude with respect to a radiation angle of a radiation beam radiated from an array antenna when the number of antenna elements is set to M = 161 and an interval between adjacent sampling optical fibers is set to do = 62.5 μm.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a light-controlled phased array antenna according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a light-controlled phased array antenna according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a light-controlled phased array antenna according to a modification of the first embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional light-controlled phased array antenna.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1: Phase-locked light radiator, 2-1 to 2-N: GRIN lens, 3-1 to 3-N: Optical fiber cable, 4-1 to 4-N: High frequency oscillator, 5-1 to 5-N ... Modulator, 8 ... Fourier transform lens, 10,33-1 to 33-N ... Beam combiner, 12 ... Fiber array, 12-1 to 12-M ... Sampling optical fiber, 14-1 to 14-M, 34 -1 to 34-N: photoelectric converter, 15-1 to 15-M: power amplifier, 17-1 to 17-M: antenna element, 18-1 to 18-N, 19, 52: laser diode, 20: Emission lens array, 21-1 to 21-N, 22, 23, 53, 54: light distributor, 30: optical axis, 35-1 to 35-N: signal comparator, 51-1 to 51-N: light Modulator, 55 ... Phase control device, 56-1ino To 56-N: optical phase shifter, 57: moving mechanism, 58: control device.

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Ryu Miura 5th Sanraya, Seiya-cho, Seika-cho, Kyoto Pref., 5th, Aira Light Optical Communication Laboratory (72) Inventor Yoshio Karasawa, Kyoto Soraku Kyoto No. 5, Hiratani, Seiya-cho, Gun-ri, Gunma, 5th, Aira Optical Co., Ltd. Inside the Radio Communication Research Laboratories (56) References JP-A-6-276017 (JP, A) JP-A-63-261902 (JP, A) 3-44202, Kaihei (JP, A) Yoshiu, Keizo Inagaki, Ryu Miura, Yoshio Karasawa, "Multibeam Array Antenna by Optical Spatial Parallel Signal Processing", IEICE Technical Report, AP95-80, 1995 November 16, p. 27-p. 33 (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) H01Q 3/26 JICST file (JOIS)

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A first light beam having a predetermined first frequency and a plurality of N light beams having frequencies different from each other by a plurality of N first radio signals input from the first frequency, respectively. A light radiating means for radiating the second light beam, and a radiating means for radiating the plurality of N second light beams radiated from the light radiating means so as to have a predetermined beam width and overlap each other. And the spatial distribution of the amplitude distribution and the phase distribution of the plurality of N second light beams superimposed on each other emitted from the radiation means, respectively, Converting means for emitting the third light beam; and combining the first light beam output from the light emitting means and the plurality of N third light beams emitted from the converting means. Fourth beam light A beam combining unit that emits light; a sampling unit that spatially samples the fourth beam light output from the beam combining unit and outputs a plurality of M sampled fifth light beams; Are respectively photoelectrically converted from the plurality of M fifth light beams output from
Photoelectric conversion means for outputting a plurality of second wireless signals; and radiating the plurality of M second wireless signals output from the photoelectric conversion means to a space, thereby obtaining the plurality of N wireless signals.
A plurality of M antenna elements each of which radiates a plurality of first wireless signals in a predetermined direction. 2. The optically controlled phased array antenna further includes a plurality of N number of second light beams that are phase-shifted so that the radiation directions of the plurality of N first wireless signals change. 2. The optically controlled phased array antenna according to claim 1, further comprising an optical phase shifter. 3. An optically controlled phased array antenna according to claim 1, wherein said optically controlled phased array antenna further comprises a moving means for moving said radiating means. 4. The optically controlled phased array according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of N first radio signals are modulated by a predetermined modulation method according to an input signal. antenna.