Patent ID: 8934774
Filing Date: 2015-01-13
Classification: H01Q

Abstract:
1. A beam forming antenna device emitting a predetermined free space energy pattern, the device including: an optical signal source having predetermined wavelength characteristics; an electro-optical intensity modulator performing electrical-to-optical conversion of an input microwave signal, for modulating predetermined wavelengths of the optical signal source to produce a modulated signal source including offsetted Radio Frequency (RF) upper and lower sideband components; a dispersion element for spreading and projecting the modulated signal source in a wavelength dependant manner onto a relative phase manipulation element, said relative phase manipulation element manipulating the relative phase between an optical carrier and its two RF sideband frequencies in a predetermined manner, and said phase manipulation element further amplitude modulating predetermined wavelengths of said modulated signal source and outputting a predetermined groupings of wavelengths on a series of output ports; optical to electrical conversion means converting the amplitude of the optical signal on said output ports to a corresponding electrical signal having the frequency of said input microwave signal; and a series of irradiating antenna elements connected to each corresponding electrical signal having the frequency of said input microwave signal for radiating a corresponding free space signal to substantially produce said predetermined free space energy pattern.