Accession Number:

ADA561310

Title:

Towards a Narrowband Photonic Sigma-Delta Digital Antenna

Descriptive Note:

Technical rept. Jul 2007-Aug 2008

Corporate Author:

NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY CA

Personal Author(s):

• Bachmann, Darren J.
• Pace, Phillip E.

Report Date:

2012-02-01

Pagination or Media Count:

110.0

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.

Descriptors:

• *ANTENNAS
• *COMMUNICATION AND RADIO SYSTEMS
• *DIGITAL SYSTEMS
• *PHOTONICS
• ANALOG SIGNALS
• BROADBAND
• ELECTRONIC INTELLIGENCE
• ELECTRONIC WARFARE
• HIGH SENSITIVITY
• JAMMING
• NARROWBAND
• PHOTONS
• RADIOFREQUENCY PULSES

Subject Categories:

• Electrical and Electronic Equipment
• Computer Hardware
• Radio Communications

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE