Variable delay line for phased-array antenna based on a chirped fiber grating
We present a theoretical and experimental analysis of the performance of phased-array antennas steered by a single chirped fiber grating. Two approaches consisting of conventional and single-sideband (SSB) modulation techniques of the optical signal are presented in order to compare their performance and suitability for beamforming applications in microwave antennas. By using a 40-cm-long chirped grating, we measure the phase and amplitude response and calculate the corresponding radiation patterns to demonstrate wide-band operation and continuous spatial scanning properties of both configurations. SSB modulation Is presented as a real alternative to the first one offering broader operation…
Photonic microwave tunable single-bandpass filter based on a Mach-Zehnder interferometer
The authors present the theoretical analysis and experimental demonstration of a novel single-bandpass tunable microwave filter. The filter is based on a broadband optical source and a fiber Mach-Zehnder interferometer and shows a high Q factor over a tuning range of 5-17 GHz. A generalized analysis considering that the optical signal propagates along optical delay lines with a dispersion slope different from zero is presented.
Analysis of a microwave time delay line based on a perturbed uniform fiber Bragg grating operating at constant wavelength
This paper presents the modeling of a new microwave time delay line based on a uniform fiber Bragg grating (FBG) with a section which period has been perturbed. The time delay can be modified by changing the position of the perturbation along the grating. Theoretical results are presented for a 5-cm long uniform grating and optical signal is modulated up to 18 GHz. Experimental setup used magnetic fields to change the period locally along the grating and a 330 ps maximum time delay is shown. Comparison between calculations and measurements show a perfect agreement. Such a delay line offers many advantages for beamforming applications in phased array antennas where the operation at a fixed w…
BIO Bragg gratings on microfibers for label-free biosensing
[EN] Discovering nanoscale phenomena to sense biorecognition events introduces new perspectives to exploit nano science and nanotechnology for bioanalytical purposes. Here we present Bio Bragg Gratings (BBGs), a novel biosensing approach that consists of diffractive structures of protein bioreceptors patterned on the surface of optical waveguides, and tailored to transduce the magnitude of biorecognition assays into the intensity of single peaks in the reflection spectrum. This work addresses the design, fabrication, and optimization of this system by both theoretical and experimental studies to explore the fundamental physicochemical parameters involved. Functional biomolecular gratings ar…
Uniform fibre Bragg gratings with an embedded perturbed section for multiple applications
The interest in fibre Bragg gratings has been increased with the development of flexible fabrication techniques which are able to make gratings with any non-uniform characteristic (chirped, apodised, sampled, phase-shifted, etc.) required for an specific application [1].
BIO-Bragg gratings: structured molecular networks for on-fiber bioanalysis
The research on photonic biosensors is a scientific hot topic at the moment, with a significant potential impact on industry and medicine. Label-free, miniaturized, inexpensive and low-loss biosensors are developed based on optical fiber technology. Our approach is based on a Bio-Bragg-Grating (BBG) patterned on the surface of a microfiber. We present the design, fabrication and proof of concept of our device, as well as its multiplexing and tunability perspectives [1] .
Tunable dispersion device based on a tapered fiber Bragg grating and nonuniform magnetic fields
We present a new variable dispersion device based on tuning the chirp of a tapered fiber Bragg grating by means of a magnetic transducer. By using a nonuniform magnetic field, we demonstrate a 188-472-ps/nm dispersion tuning range, suitable for tunable radio-frequency filters and dispersion compensation, among others.
Microwave phase shifter based on fibre Bragg grating
A variable delay line is presented for phased array antennas based on a fibre Bragg grating which has a uniform period and operates at constant optical wavelength. The Bragg wavelength of a localised part of the fibre grating is modified by straining the fibre, the optical carrier is reflected by the strained part of the grating and the time delay of the microwave modulating signal is determined by the position where the strain has been applied. In this initial experiment time delay variations up to 330 ps in the frequency range 1 – 14 GHz have been achieved.
Highly tunable optically switched time delay line for transversal filtering
A novel tunable dispersion device, based on two chirped fibre gratings subjected to non-uniform magnetic fields, is presented. A large degree of tunability is achieved from 250 to 750 ps/nm. This is used to demonstrate RF filtering in the 3-11 GHz range.
White light sources filtered with fiber Bragg gratings for RF-photonics applications
Abstract In this paper we demonstrate that broadband light emitters filtered with fiber Bragg gratings are a suitable light source for RF-photonics applications. A 0.075 nm bandwidth fiber grating illuminated by a light emitter of 40 nm bandwidth has been used as light source to feed a microwave phase shifter based on a chirped fiber Bragg grating. The device operates successfully in the tested frequency range (0.5–6) GHz and has been optically tuned in a range of 4 nm.
Photonic processing of microwave signals
In this paper, recent advances in the implementation of photonic tuneable transversal filters for RF signal processing developed by the Optical Communications Group are described. After a brief introduction to the field and the basic concepts, limiting factors and application of these filters are described in the field. This is based on a distinction between filters based on wavelength tuneable optical taps and others based on the tuneability of the dispersive elements that provide the time delay between samples. Recently developed approaches have also been discussed.
Advanced Optical Processing of Microwave Signals
The authors present a review on the recent approaches proposed to implement transversal RF filters. Different tunable transversal filters consisting of wavelength tunable optical taps and those employing the tunability of dispersive devices are presented showing their high-performance characteristics. A comprehensive review of the fundamentals and a discussion on the main limitation of these structures are also included.
Tunable all-optical negative multitap microwave filters based on uniform fiber Bragg gratings.
We present a novel and simple technique for obtaining transversal filters with negative coefficients by using uniform fiber Bragg gratings. We demonstrate a wide tuning range, good performance, low cost, and easy implementation of multitap filters in an all-optical passive configuration in which negative taps are obtained by use of the transmission of a broadband source through uniform Bragg gratings.
Tunable chirped fibre Bragg grating device controlled by variable magnetic fields
A novel dynamic chirping fibre Bragg grating device based on a magnetic field applied to a magnetostrictive transducer capable of tuning its dispersion is presented. Chirping ranges up to 300 ps/nm have been demonstrated, which are suitable for several applications such as tunable transversal filtering and dynamic dispersion compensation.
Chirped fibre Bragg gratings for phased-array antennas
A variable delay line for phased-array antennas based on a chirped fibre Bragg grating is demonstrated. The time delay of a microwave modulating signal is modified by scanning in wavelength a chirped grating. In this initial experiment, time delay variations up to 556 ps have been achieved using a grating of 0.4 nm bandwidth and 6 cm length and modulating in the frequency range 390 MHz-5.20 GHz.
Automatic tunable and reconfigurable fiberoptic microwave filters based on a broadband optical source sliced by uniform fiber Bragg gratings.
We demonstrate an automatic tunable transversal notch filter based on uniform fiber Bragg gratings and a broadband optical source. High tunability can be performed by stretching the fiber with the gratings written in series. Also, high sidelobe supression can be achieved by introducing tunable attenuators in a parallel configuration of the gratings.