Patent ID: 7671799

Claim:
A phased array antenna system, comprising: an RF front end; a radome; and an optical calibrator integral with the radome for enabling in-situ calibration of the RF front end, wherein the optical calibrator comprises: an optical timing signal generator (OTSG) situated adjacent the radome and having a DFB laser source for generating an optical calibration signal; a modulator for modulating the light calibration signal and generating a modulated optical output signal; a Variable Optical Amplitude and Delay Generator array (VOADGA) for receiving the modulated optical output signal and generating a plurality of VOADGA timing signals; and an optical timing signal distributor (OTSD) situated inside the radome for receiving the plurality of VOADGA timing signals, the OTSD having a matrix-addressable PLC having N horizontal waveguides and N vertical waveguides for receiving the VOADGA timing signals, said wave guides having a plurality of intersections, each intersection having a photodiode positioned thereon for receiving a portion of the VOADGA timing signals and for generating a proportional electrical output signal for subsequent processing and calibrating of the phased array antenna.