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Photonic-enabled beam steering at 300 GHz using a photodiode-based antenna array and a polymer-based optical phased
Optics Express
|December 16, 2022
Summary
Researchers developed a 300 GHz linear antenna array using photodiodes and a polymer optical phased array for advanced wireless networks. This photonic control enables efficient beam steering and enhanced performance for future communication systems.
Area of Science:
- Electrical Engineering
- Optoelectronics
- Wireless Communications
Background:
- Antenna directivity and reconfigurability are critical for wireless networks beyond 5G.
- Existing solutions face challenges in achieving efficient and precise beam control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose and demonstrate a novel photonic-controlled linear antenna array for 300 GHz wireless applications.
- To leverage polymer waveguides for efficient phase shifting and beam steering.
Main Methods:
- A linear antenna array based on photodiodes operating at 300 GHz was designed.
- An optical phased array utilizing polymer waveguides was employed for antenna orchestration.
- Photonic control was used to achieve phase shifting and beam steering.
Main Results:
- Purely photonic-controlled beam steering across 20° was demonstrated.
- The 3-dB beam width was reduced by 8.5° to 22.5° compared to a single emitter.
- Output power was increased by over 10 dB, with precise radiation pattern prediction using Snell's law.
Conclusions:
- The proposed polymer-based optical phased array offers efficient, crosstalk-free phase shifting for antenna control.
- This technology enables significant improvements in beam steering, beam width, and output power for high-frequency wireless systems.
- The demonstrated system provides a viable solution for directivity and reconfigurability requirements in next-generation wireless networks.
