A code acquisition module for a direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) receiver includes: a Sparse Discrete Fourier transform (SDFT) module configured to perform an SDFT on a finite number of non-uniformly distributed frequencies comprising a preamble of a received DSSS frame to calculate Fourier coefficients for the finite number of non-uniformly distributed frequencies; a multiplier configured to multiply the Fourier coefficients for the finite number of non-uniformly distributed frequencies of the received DSSS frame by complex conjugate Fourier coefficients for the finite number of non-uniformly distributed frequencies to generate a cross-correlation of the received DSSS frame and the complex conjugate Fourier coefficients; and a filter module configured to input the cross-correlation and output a delay estimation for the received DSSS frame.

A linearly polarized upconverting optical signal at optical frequency ν.sub.OPT and a propagating input signal at frequency ν.sub.GHz are combined by an input beam combiner to copropagate through a nonlinear optical medium and generate upconverted optical signals at one or both sum or difference frequencies ν.sub.SUM=ν.sub.OPT+ν.sub.GHz or ν.sub.DIFF=ν.sub.OPT−ν.sub.GHz. The orthogonally polarized upconverting and upconverted optical signals are separated by a polarizer, and the upconverted optical signal is preferentially transmitted to a detection system by an optical filter. The input signal is modulated to encode transmitted information, and that modulation is imparted onto the upconverted optical signal. The detection system includes one or more photodetectors, receives the upconverted optical signal, and generates therefrom electrical signals that are modulated to encode the transmitted information.

A method of RF signal processing comprises receiving an incoming RF signal at each of a plurality of antenna elements that are arranged in a first pattern. The received RF signals from each of the plurality of antenna elements are modulated onto an optical carrier to generate a plurality of modulated signals that each have at least one sideband. The modulated signals are directed along a corresponding plurality of optical channels with outputs arranged in a second pattern corresponding to the first pattern. A composite optical signal is formed using light emanating from the outputs of the plurality of optical channels. Non-spatial information contained in at least one of the received RF signals is extracted from the composite signal.

An optically-downconverting channelizer is disclosed for W-band detection. The channelizer includes an input waveguide configured to carry an inputted signal having a plurality of wavelengths including a desired wavelength and a plurality of ring resonators arranged in parallel and coupled at spaced apart locations along the input waveguide for receiving the inputted signal, wherein each of the plurality of ring resonators is configured to pass a selected wavelength signal to an output end. The channelizer further includes a control waveguide that carries a second signal having a wavelength that differs from the desired wavelength by a predetermined amount, and a plurality of detectors coupled to respective output ends of the ring resonators, the plurality of detectors configured to produce channelized RF output signals representative of desired RF bands.

High-performance ultra-wideband Phased Array Antennas (PAA) are disclosed, having unique capabilities, enabled through photonic integrated circuits and novel optical architectures. Unique capabilities for PAA systems are enabled by photonic integration and ultra-low-loss waveguides. Novel aspects include optical multiplexing combining wavelength division multiplexing and/or a novel extension to array photodetectors, providing the capability to combine many RF photonic signals with very low loss. Architectures include tunable optical up-conversion and down-conversion systems, moving a chosen frequency band between baseband and a high RF frequency band with high dynamic range. Simultaneous multi-channel RF beamforming is achieved through power combining/splitting of optical signals.

Methods and apparatus for interference cancelation in a radio frequency communications device are described. In various embodiments a signal to be transmitted in converted into an optical signal and processed using an optical filter assembly including one or more optical filters to generate an optical interference cancelation signal. The optical interference cancelation signal is converted into an analog radio frequency interference cancelation signal using an optical to electrical converter prior to the analog radio frequency interference cancelation signal being combined with a received signal to cancel interference, e.g., self interference. The optical filter assembly can include a large number of taps, e.g., 30, 50, 100 or more. Each tap may be implemented as a separate optical filter or series of optical filters. Delays and/or gain of the optical filters can be controlled dynamically based on channel estimates which may change due to changes in the environment and/or communications device position.

The subject matter described herein relates to various antenna element configurations, antenna array configurations, their operations including various systems and methods to generate modulated data for transmission by an RF antenna array via an optical processing engine. The subject matter includes optical processing engine structure and methods (e.g., modulating in the optical domain, MIMO and spatial modulation via RF beam formation, coherent transmission of RF signal components, coherent operation of spatially separate RF antenna arrays) that may be implemented with the various RF antenna array structures. In some examples, the system combines the virtues of digital, analog and optical processing to arrive at a solution for scalable, non-blocking, simultaneous transmission to multiple UE-s. Much of the system architecture is independent of the RF carrier frequency, and different frequency bands can be accessed easily and rapidly by tuning the optical source (TOPS). In some examples, multiple communication channels may be transmitted simultaneously to different locations. The transmitter may be formed by an array of optically fed antennas.

Disclosed herein is a swappable modular-based radiofrequency (RF) frontend that is reconfigurable to form transmitting (TX) and receiving (RX) phased array systems for diverse applications. Such swappable RF frontend may be used with unique spatial and spectral optical processing of complex RF signals over an ultra-wide frequency band. The swappable RF front end may be used in conjunction with an optically upconverted imaging receiver and/or in conjunction with optically addressed phased array technologies transmitters.

A receiver (1) for a phased array antenna comprises a laser light source (2) arranged to provide an optical spectrum comprising a first spectral component having a first wavelength and a second spectral component having a second wavelength. The first wavelength is spaced from the second wavelength. A wavelength separator (4) is configured to separate the first spectral component from the second spectral component, such that the first spectral component is directed onto a first path (A) and the second spectral component is directed onto a second path (B). A first delay unit (16) is configured to add a controllable time delay to the first spectral component on the first path. A second delay unit (42) is configured to add the time delay to the second spectral component on the second path. A modulator (14) is configured to modulate the first spectral component on the first path with a received RF signal from the phased array antenna. A heterodyning device (50) is configured to heterodyne the resulting first and second spectral components.

An optical imaging system and method that reconstructs RF sources in k-space by utilizing interference amongst modulated optical beams. In some examples, the system and method may record the interference pattern produced by RF-modulated optical beams conveyed by optical fibers having unequal lengths. The photodetectors record the interference, and computational analysis using known tomography reconstruction methods is performed to reconstruct the RF sources in k-space.