JPH09246840A - Optical control type reception signal processor for array antenna - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain the signal processor for a small sized array antenna with a simple circuit configuration by providing an optical generating means, an optical distribution means, an optical frequency shift means, an optical radiation means, a sampling means and a photoelectric conversion means to shape a multi-beam at a high speed. SOLUTION: The processor is provided with plural (N) optical frequency shifters 21-1 to 21-N, a laser diode 31, an optical distributer 32, an optical radiator array 22, an optical sampling device array 42 and photoelectric converter 43-1 to 43-M. Then a radio signal of a received wave having an incoming direction corresponding to a Fourier transformation beam light is outputted by using the Fourier transformation beam light formed in space by an upper side wave band beam light having a frequency and a phase corresponding to those of each reception signal received by an antenna element 11-K. Since a light beam corresponding to each incoming direction of plural received waves is formed without using digital signal processing requiring digital arithmetic operation, a beam selection circuit at a higher speed than a speed of a conventional processor is formed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical control type reception signal processing device of an array antenna for processing a reception signal received by an array antenna.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Active phased array antennas capable of easily controlling a main beam direction at a mobile receiving radio station have been researched and developed for various communication systems, especially mobile communication systems. With the advancement of digital signal processing technology, beamforming antennas are being researched and developed as one of array antennas having various functions (for example, Ito Rei et al., "Prototype DBF antenna", IEICE technical report) , SANE88
-54, January 27, 1989. ). The applicant of the present invention also discloses a received signal processing device for an array antenna that forms a multi-beam by digital signal processing (hereinafter referred to as a method of a first conventional example), as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 07-235830.
An optical control type phased array antenna (hereinafter, referred to as a second conventional example) proposed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 07-29, which forms a multi-beam by using an optical signal processing technique.
Proposed in the 6722 patent application.

The received signal processing device for an array antenna of the first conventional example corresponds to 16 antenna elements of an array antenna which are juxtaposed in a two-dimensional matrix shape having two axes at equal intervals and orthogonal to each other. And a DSP for executing circuit operation including a quasi-quadrature detection circuit, a transversal FIR (finite impulse response) low frequency pass filter, and a so-called multi-beam combining circuit using a two-dimensional FFT operation in the spatial domain. Has been done. Also,
The optically controlled phased array antenna of the second conventional example is
Optical beams are processed by a plurality of light beams corresponding to a plurality of radio signals to form a multi-beam.

[0004]

However, since the received signal processing device for the array antenna of the first conventional example requires digital operation, it requires a complicated operation circuit. Further, the first conventional example has a problem in that when a multi-beam having a wide band is formed, the amount of calculation increases and the signal processing time cannot be shortened. Also,
The optically controlled phased array antenna of the second conventional example is
There is a problem that a plurality of transmission beams can be formed, but a received signal cannot be processed.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems, to form a multi-beam at a higher speed than in the conventional example, and to have a simple circuit configuration and a light control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna. To provide.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna, which comprises an array of a plurality of N antenna elements arranged close to each other in a predetermined arrangement shape. A reception signal processing device for processing a reception signal having a predetermined reception frequency received by an antenna, the light generation means for generating and outputting a first light beam having a predetermined frequency; and the light generation. The first light beam generated by the means is in-phase distributed to a plurality (N + 1) of light beams, and N light beams of the plurality of (N + 1) light beams of the in-phase distribution are output as a second light beam. Then
Also, the frequency of each of the second light beams output from the light distributing unit, which is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of N antenna elements, and which outputs one light beam as the reference light beam, , Changing only the reception frequency of each reception signal received by each corresponding antenna element, and
N optical frequencies for outputting the third light beam after changing the frequency and the phase by changing the phase of each light beam received by each corresponding antenna element. The shift means, the reference beam light output from the light distribution means, and the plurality N of the third beam light output from the plurality of N optical frequency shift means are radiated so as to overlap each other, The light emitting means for forming a combined beam light in which the reference beam light and the plurality N of the third light beams are combined and the combined beam light formed by the light emitting means are combined into a plurality of M different pieces. Sampling means for spatially sampling at a position and outputting a plurality of M number of sampled fourth light beams, and a plurality of M number of first light beams having non-linear photoelectric conversion characteristics output from the sampling means. Of the light beam by converting each photoelectric, characterized in that a plurality of M photoelectric conversion means for outputting the photoelectrically converted signal, respectively.

An optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna according to a second aspect is the optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna according to the first aspect, wherein the light emitting means emits the reference beam light. The first light emitting means for emitting and the plurality of N third beam lights output from the plurality of N optical frequency shift means are emitted so as to overlap each other, and a plurality of N third beams are emitted. 1st light was synthesized
Second light emitting means for forming the combined light beam, reference beam light emitted from the first light emitting means, and first combined beam light formed by the second light emitting means. Beam combining means for combining and outputting the combined beam light is provided.

Further, the optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna according to claim 3 is the optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a plurality of M photoelectric conversion means. It is characterized by comprising a plurality of M filtering means for filtering and outputting signal components having a frequency equal to the reception frequency of the reception signal from the respective signals respectively output from the above.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna, wherein a predetermined number of N antenna elements arranged in parallel in a predetermined arrangement shape and received by an array antenna are received. And a light generating means for generating and outputting a first light beam having a predetermined frequency, and a first signal generated by the light generating means. 1
Of the plurality of (N + 1) light beams are in-phase distributed, and N light beams of the plurality of (N + 1) light beams distributed in phase are output as a second light beam, and one beam light is output. First light distribution means for outputting light as reference beam light, and second light distribution means for distributing the reference light beam output from the first light distribution means to a plurality of M reference light beams and outputting the light. And a plurality of second N-type antenna elements provided corresponding to the plurality N of antenna elements and output from the first light distribution unit.
The frequency of the beam light of is changed by the reception frequency of each reception signal received by each corresponding antenna element, and the phase of each second beam light is received by each corresponding antenna element. A plurality of N optical frequency shift means for changing the phase of the signal to output the third light beam after changing the frequency and the phase, and a plurality of N optical frequency shift means for outputting the plurality of optical frequency shift means. Light emitting means for emitting the N third beam lights so as to overlap each other to form a first combined beam light in which the plurality of N third beam lights are combined, and the light emitting means. Sampling means for spatially sampling the first combined beam light formed by a plurality of M positions different from each other and outputting a plurality of M sampled fourth light beams, and the sampling means. A plurality of M light combining means for combining the respective fourth light beams output from the second light distribution means with the respective reference light beams output from the second light distributing means, and outputting the respective second combined light rays. , M having a non-linear photoelectric conversion characteristic, photoelectrically converting a plurality of M second combined beam lights output from the plurality of M light combining units, and outputting a photoelectrically converted signal. And a photoelectric conversion means.

An optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna according to a fifth aspect is the optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna according to the fourth aspect, further comprising a plurality of M photoelectric conversion means. It is characterized in that it is provided with a plurality of M filtering means for filtering and outputting signal components having a frequency equal to the reception frequency of the received signal from each output signal.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna, which is received by an array antenna composed of a plurality of N antenna elements which are closely arranged in a predetermined arrangement shape. A reception signal processing device for processing a reception signal having a radio frequency, comprising: a reference light generating means for generating and outputting a reference beam light having a predetermined reference frequency; and a first light having a frequency different from the reference frequency. Of the first beam light generated by the light generation means and in-phase distributed to a plurality of N, and a plurality of N second beam lights distributed in phase And a second beam light which is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of N antenna elements and outputs the second beam light output from the light distributing means by each corresponding antenna element. Signal by a predetermined modulation method in accordance with the above-mentioned signal, and a sideband frequency different from the reference frequency and set so that the frequency difference between the sideband frequency and the reference frequency is less than 1/2 of the radio frequency. A plurality of N light modulating means for outputting each of the third light beams which are modulation signals having at least one sideband including one sideband, and a reference beam output from the reference light generating means. The reference beam light and the plurality N of the third beam lights are emitted so that the light and the plurality N of the third beam lights output from the plurality of the N light modulators are overlapped with each other. And a combined light beam formed by the light emission means are spatially sampled at a plurality of M positions different from each other, and a plurality of M sampled light beams are sampled. Corresponding to the sidebands, each having a nonlinear photoelectric conversion characteristic and photoelectrically converting a plurality of M number of fourth light beams output from the sampling device. A plurality of M photoelectric conversion units that respectively output signals having a plurality of signal components.

An optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna according to a seventh aspect is the optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna according to the sixth aspect, wherein the light emitting means emits the reference beam light. The first light emitting means for emitting and the plurality of N third beam lights output from the plurality of N optical phase shifting means are emitted so as to overlap each other, and a plurality of N third beams are emitted. Second light emitting means for forming a first combined beam of light, a reference beam of light emitted from the first light emitting means, and a second light emitting means formed by the second light emitting means. Beam combining means for combining the combined beam light of No. 1 and outputting the combined beam light is provided.

An optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna according to claim 8 is the optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising a plurality of M photoelectric conversion means. It is characterized by comprising a plurality of M filtering means for low-pass filtering and outputting so as to extract a signal component corresponding to the sideband from each of the signals respectively output from.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna, which is received by an array antenna comprising a plurality of N antenna elements which are closely arranged in a predetermined arrangement shape. A received signal processing device for processing a received signal having a radio frequency, the reference light generating unit generating and outputting a reference light beam having a predetermined reference frequency, and a reference output from the reference light generating unit. First light distributing means for distributing and outputting the light beam to a plurality of M pieces, light generating means for generating and outputting the first light beam having a frequency different from the reference frequency, and the light generating means. A second light distributing means for in-phase distributing the generated first beam light into a plurality of N pieces and outputting a plurality of in-phase distributed second beam light pieces; and the plurality of N antenna elements. In response Each of the second light beams output from the second light distribution means is modulated by a predetermined modulation method according to each reception signal received by each corresponding antenna element, and is different from the reference frequency. Modulation having at least one sideband including one having a sideband frequency set such that a frequency difference between the sideband frequency and the reference frequency is less than 1/2 of the radio frequency. The plurality of N light modulating means for respectively outputting the respective third light beams as signals and the plurality of N third light beams outputted from the plurality of N light modulating means are radiated so as to overlap each other. Then, the light emitting means for forming the first combined beam light in which the plurality N of the third beam lights are combined and the plurality of M for the first combined beam light formed by the light emitting means are different from each other. Spatially at individual positions Sampling means for sampling and outputting a plurality of M number of sampled fourth light beams, and each of the reference beams output from the first light distribution means for each fourth light beam output from the sampling means. A plurality of M light combining means for combining the light beams with each other to output each second combined light beam, and a plurality of M second light combining means having nonlinear photoelectric conversion characteristics and outputted from the sampling means. A plurality of M photoelectric conversion means for photoelectrically converting the light beams and respectively outputting signals having a plurality of signal components corresponding to the respective sidebands are provided.

An optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna according to the ninth aspect, further comprising: a plurality of M photoelectric conversion means. It is characterized in that it is provided with a plurality of M filtering means for performing low-pass filtering so as to extract a signal component corresponding to the sideband from each output signal.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, in an optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna, a predetermined array antenna composed of a plurality of N antenna elements which are closely arranged in a predetermined arrangement shape is received. A reception signal processing device for processing a reception signal having a reception frequency of, reference light generating means for generating and outputting a reference light beam having a predetermined reference frequency, and a first light source having a predetermined frequency.
Of the first light beam generated by the light generation unit is in-phase distributed to the plurality of N light beams, and the plurality of N light beams of the same phase are distributed to the second light beam. Of the second beam light output from the light distributing means, which is provided corresponding to the light distributing means for outputting as the light beam of N and each of the plurality of N antenna elements. By changing only the reception frequency of each received signal received and changing the phase of each second beam light by the phase of each received signal received by the corresponding antenna element, the frequency and phase are changed. A plurality of N optical frequency shift means for outputting the changed third light beam, a reference light beam output from the reference light generating means, and a plurality of N light frequency shift means are output. A plurality of N third light beams and Radiation to as superimposed with each other, a light emitting means for forming the reference beam and the plurality of N third light beam and the combined beam light synthesized,
Sampling means for spatially sampling the combined beam light formed by the light emitting means at a plurality of M positions different from each other and outputting a plurality of M sampled fourth light beams, and nonlinear photoelectric conversion. And a plurality of M photoelectric conversion units each having a characteristic and photoelectrically converting a plurality of M fourth light beams output from the sampling unit and outputting photoelectrically converted signals. And

An optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna according to a twelfth aspect is the optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna according to the eleventh aspect, wherein the light emitting means emits the reference beam light. The first light emitting means for emitting and the plurality of N third beam lights output from the plurality of N optical frequency shift means are emitted so as to overlap each other, and a plurality of N third beams are emitted. Second light emitting means for forming a first combined beam of light, a reference beam of light emitted from the first light emitting means, and a second light emitting means formed by the second light emitting means. Beam combining means for combining the combined beam light of No. 1 and outputting the combined beam light.

The optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna according to a thirteenth aspect is the optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna according to the eleventh aspect or the twelfth aspect, further comprising a plurality of M photoelectric conversion means. It is characterized in that it is provided with a plurality of M filtering means for filtering and outputting the signal components having a predetermined frequency from the respective signals respectively output from.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. <First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of an optical control type reception signal processing apparatus for an array antenna according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna of FIG. 1 includes an array antenna 1 including antenna elements 11-1 to 11-N, a plurality N of receiver modules 12-1 to 12-N, and a plurality of N receiver modules 12-1 to 12-N. N optical frequency shifters 21-1 to 21-N, a laser diode 31, a light distributor 32, a light emitter array 22, and
A lens 44, an optical sampling device array 42, photoelectric converters 43-1 to 43-M, low-pass filters 9-1 to 9-M, a signal selection circuit 51, and a down converter 53.
And a demodulator 52. Here, the optical control type reception signal processing device of the array antenna of the first embodiment converts the respective reception signals received by the respective antenna elements 11-1 to 11-N into optical frequency shifters 21-1 to 21-N. And a light emitter array 22 are used to perform spatially optical Fourier transform to perform beam selection in a multi-beam antenna without using digital signal processing.

The configuration of the optical control type reception signal processing apparatus for the array antenna of the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In the optical control type reception signal processing device of the array antenna of the first embodiment, a plurality of N array antennas 1 are arranged in a line at a predetermined interval which is, for example, ½ of the wavelength of the reception signal. Antenna elements 11-1 to 1
1-N. Then, each antenna element 11-k (k
= 1, 2, ..., N, the same applies hereinafter unless otherwise specified in this specification. ) Outputs the received received signal to the receiver module 12-k.

Each of the receiver modules 12-k is composed of a low noise amplifier and a bandpass filter, amplifies and filters the received signal input from the antenna element 12-k, and then outputs it to the optical frequency shifter 21-k. To do. The laser diode 31 also generates a first light beam having a predetermined frequency f _c and outputs it to the light distributor 32. The optical distributor 32 distributes the input first light beam to (N + 1) second light beams, and outputs the N second light beams to the optical frequency shifters 21-1 to 21-N. Output, one second
This beam light is output as a reference beam light to the light emitting section 2-r of the light emitter array 22 described later via the optical waveguide 7-r.

The optical frequency shifter 21-k changes the frequency f _c of the second beam light by the frequency f _{RF of the} received signal based on the input received signal, and the second beam light is changed. The phase of is changed by the phase of the received signal and output. The optical frequency shifter 21-k includes, for example, a light intensity modulator and an optical filter. The light intensity modulator generates the following frequency component (or wavelength component) by intensity-modulating the second beam light according to the input reception signal. (A) a beam of light having a frequency f _c of the second beam of light; (b) having a frequency (f _c + f _RF ) higher than the frequency f _c of the second beam of light by the frequency f _{RF of the} received signal. Then
And a light beam having a phase corresponding to the phase of the received signal (hereinafter, referred to as upper sideband light beam); and (c) a frequency f _{RF of the} received signal lower than a frequency f _c of the second light beam. Frequency (f _c −f _RF ),
A beam light having a phase corresponding to the phase of the received signal (hereinafter referred to as a lower sideband beam light). Next, the optical filter passes only the upper sideband light beam among the three frequency components generated by the optical intensity modulator, and passes through the optical waveguide 7-k to be described later in the optical radiator array 22. Output to the light emitting unit 2-k.

As shown in FIG. 2, the light radiator array 22 is provided at a predetermined interval on the end surface (hereinafter referred to as the output surface P20) of the substrate 70 on which the optical waveguides 7-r and 7-k are formed. Light emitting units 2-r, 2-1 to 2-N.
Here, the substrate 70 is made of, for example, LiNbO ₃ or GaAs. Further, the intervals between the adjacent light emitting portions 2-k are set to be sufficiently shorter than the distance between the light emitting device array 22 and the lens 44. Then, the light emitting units 2-1 to 2-
N respectively radiate the radiation beam lights B-1 to BN corresponding to the respective input upper sideband beam lights to the lens 44 so as to overlap each other. Here, the light emitting section 2-
Radiation beam lights B-1 to B emitted from 1 to 2-N
Since -N is radiated with a space spread as is generally well known, the radiation beam lights B-1 to B-.
It is not necessary to control the emission direction of N toward a specific focal plane, and at least a distant space in which the lens 44 is provided is a combined beam of spread radiation beam lights B-1 to B-N. It is sufficient if light is formed. Further, the light emitting section 2-r is provided such that the distance between the light emitting section 2-1 and the adjacent light emitting section 2-1 is sufficiently shorter than the distance between the light radiator array 22 and the lens 44, and the reference beam light to be input is input. The reference radiation beam light B-r corresponding to
The light is emitted to the lens 44 so as to be superposed on 1 to BN. Here, the light radiator array 22 is provided so that the optical axis of the light emitting unit 2-n provided at the center of the light radiator array 22 coincides with the optical axis of the lens 44.

Here, since the respective upper sideband beam lights have the phases corresponding to the respective reception signals received by the antenna elements 11-1 to 11-N, as described above, the light emitting sections 2-1 to 2-1. The radiation beam lights B-1 to B-N respectively radiated from 2-N are also respectively included in the antenna element 11-1.
Through 11-N have a phase corresponding to the received signal. Further, each phase of each reception signal received by the antenna elements 11-1 to 11-N is determined by each reception wave that arrives at the array antenna 1 from different arrival directions.

Therefore, each antenna element 11-1 to 11
When the N radiation beam lights B-1 to B-N each having a phase corresponding to each reception signal received at -N are emitted from the light emission units 2-1 to 2-N so as to be superposed on each other, emission is performed. The far-side radiation pattern of the emitted radiation beams B-1 to BN is a Fourier transform image (that is, the Fraunhofer pattern) of the phase distribution of the radiation beams B-1 to B-N on the output surface P20 of the light emitter array 22. (Diffraction image), which forms a Fourier-transform beam light uniquely corresponding to the arrival direction of each received wave arriving at the array antenna 1 in the distant space where the lens 44 is provided. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the Fourier transform beam light A1 is formed corresponding to the received wave A, and the Fourier transform beam light B1 is formed corresponding to the received wave B.
Here, each Fourier transform beam light corresponding to each received wave is a radiation beam light B-1 having a frequency (f _c + f _RF ).
To BN are formed by being combined, the frequency (f _c
+ F _RF ).

That is, the light emitter array 22 and the lens 4
The space between 4 and 4 forms a Fourier-transform beam light uniquely corresponding to the arrival direction of each received wave arriving at the array antenna 1 based on each phase of the radiation beam lights B-1 to BN. Is a space for performing the Fourier transform for, and a space for combining the Fourier transform beam light and the reference radiation beam light B-r.

The lens 44 vertically impinges the combined beam light, which is a combination of the input Fourier transform beam light and the reference beam light, on the incident surface P12 of the optical sampling device array 42.

The optical sampling device array 42 has a plurality of Ms.
The sampling optical fibers 42-1 to 42-M. Sampling optical fibers 42-1 to 42-M
Is a sampling optical fiber 42-
1 to 42-M are parallel to each other, and a predetermined distance do is set so that the detection surfaces of the sampling optical fibers 42-1 to 42-M are located on the input surface P12 of the optical sampling device array 42. They are separated and juxtaposed on a straight line. The optical sampling device array 42 emits light so that the axis of the sampling optical fiber 42-m located at the center thereof coincides with the optical axis of the lens 44 and the array direction of the sampling optical fibers 42-1 to 42-M is light. The light emitting portions 2-1 to 2-N of the container array 22 are provided so as to be parallel to and aligned with each other.

In the optical sampling device array 42 thus constructed, the sampling optical fiber 42-i is used.
(I = 1, 2, ..., M, the same applies hereinafter) arrives at the detection surface of the sampling optical fiber 42-i in the Fourier transform beam light formed corresponding to the arrival direction of the received wave. The combined beam light of the Fourier transform beam light and the reference beam light is detected, and the detected sampling beam light is output to the photoelectric converter 43-i. That is, the optical sampling device array 42 spatially samples the incident combined beam light at M different positions on the input surface P12 by using the detection surfaces of the sampling optical fibers 42-1 to 42-M. Thus, the Fourier transform beam lights formed in different directions corresponding to the arrival direction of the received wave are detected in correspondence with the positions on the input surface P12, and the detected sampling beam lights are detected by the corresponding photoelectric signals. Output to the converter 43-i.

Then, the photoelectric converters 43-1 to 43-M
A photoelectric conversion characteristics of each non-linear, have a frequency f _RF of the difference between each sampling light beam, the frequency f _c of the Fourier transform light beam of a frequency (f _c + f _RF) and the reference beam light input And each low-pass filter 9-1 to 9- is converted into each radio signal including each reception radio signal having an amplitude proportional to the amplitude of each Fourier-transform beam light.
Output to M. Here, the radio signals which are photoelectrically converted by the photoelectric converter 43-i, since being composed using the non-linear characteristics of the photoelectric converter 43-i, as shown in FIG. 10, the frequency f _RF of the above In addition to the received wireless signal, it has a plurality of signal components having a frequency nf _RF (n = 2, 3, ...). Here, each received radio signal corresponds to a received wave having an arrival direction corresponding to the Fourier-transform beam light, because each sampling beam light detected corresponding to each Fourier-transform beam light is photoelectrically converted. . For example,
The received wireless signal included in the wireless signal obtained by photoelectrically converting the sampling beam light obtained by sampling the Fourier transform beam light A1 corresponding to the received wave A in FIG. The received radio signal included in the radio signal obtained by photoelectrically converting the sampling beam light obtained by sampling the converted beam light B1 corresponds to the received wave B. That is, in the first embodiment, the Fourier transform is spatially performed using the radiation beam light Bk corresponding to each reception signal without using the digital signal processing, and the detected sampling beam light is photoelectrically converted. By doing so, a beam is formed in the arrival direction of the received wave, and the received wireless signal received by the beam is output. The low-pass filter 9-i has a cutoff frequency between the frequency f _RF and the frequency 2f _RF, and the photoelectric converter 43-i
The radio signal is low-pass filtered and output so that only the received radio signal having the frequency f _RF is extracted from the radio signal input from.

The signal selection circuit 51 is composed of, for example, a switching circuit or the like, and selects a predetermined signal from a plurality of M signals input from the low-pass filters 9-1 to 9-M,
The selected signal is received and a wireless signal is output to the down converter 53. The down converter 53 includes a signal selection circuit 51.
The received radio signal input from the down converter 53
The frequency is converted by mixing with the local oscillation signal input from the local oscillator inside the frequency converter, and the intermediate frequency signal after the frequency conversion is output to the demodulator 52. The demodulator 52 demodulates the intermediate frequency signal and outputs a demodulated signal.

In the optical control type reception signal processing device of the array antenna of the first embodiment configured as described above,
The incoming reception signal is received by each antenna element 11-k and input to the optical frequency shifter 21-k via the receiver module 12-k. Each optical frequency shifter 21-k
Changes the frequency and phase of the second light beam input from the laser diode 31 via the optical distributor 32 based on each input received signal, and the frequency (f _c + f _RF )
And outputs the upper sideband beam light having a phase corresponding to the phase of the received signal to the light emitting section 2-k of the light radiator array 22 via the optical waveguide 7-k.

Then, the respective upper sideband beam lights are radiated by the respective light radiating units 2-k so as to overlap with each other as the respective radiating beam lights B-k, and are spatially Fourier transformed, so that the lens 44 is provided. In the distant space thus formed, Fourier-transform beam lights uniquely corresponding to the arrival directions of the respective received waves arriving at the array antenna 1 are formed. Each Fourier transform beam light is combined with the reference beam light emitted by the light emitting unit 2-r, and the combined beam light including each Fourier transform beam light is input by the lens 44 to the incident surface P12 of the optical sampling device array 42. And is spatially sampled by the optical sampling device array 42. The sampling beam lights sampled in this way are converted into photoelectric converters 43-1 to 43-.
The low-pass filters 9-1 to 9-M are converted by the M into wireless signals including the received wireless signals corresponding to the received waves,
Is input to Only the received radio signal having the frequency f _RF is extracted by the low-pass filters 9-1 to 9-M, the radio signal is synthesized by the signal selection circuit 51, and then the frequency is converted by the down converter 53 and output. And demodulated by the demodulator 52.

The optical control type reception signal processing device of the array antenna of the first embodiment configured as described above is composed of a plurality of N
Optical frequency shifters 21-1 to 21-N, a laser diode 31, an optical distributor 32, and an optical radiator array 22.
, Optical sampling device array 42, and photoelectric converter 43
-1 to 43-M, and Fourier transform beam light formed in space by the upper sideband beam light having a frequency and a phase corresponding to the frequency and the phase of each received signal received by the antenna element 11-k. Is used to output the reception radio signal of the reception wave having the arrival direction corresponding to the Fourier-transform beam light, the following effects are obtained. (1) Since a light beam corresponding to each direction of arrival of a plurality of received waves is formed without using digital signal processing that requires digital calculation, an extremely high-speed beam selection circuit compared to the conventional example is provided. Can be formed. This is particularly effective when forming a beam selection circuit in a wideband multi-beam receiving antenna. (2) Since a digital circuit such as a DSP (digital signal processor) is not used, the circuit configuration is simple. (3) Since the spatial signal processing, that is, the Fourier transform is performed in the optical domain, the space can be configured with a width and a length of about several millimeters to several centimeters, and an optical control type reception signal processing device of a small array antenna. Can be provided.

<Second Embodiment> FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of an optical control type reception signal processing apparatus for an array antenna according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Second of FIG.
The optical control type reception signal processing device of the array antenna of the above embodiment differs from the optical control type reception signal processing device of the array antenna of the first embodiment of FIG. 1 in the following points. (1) Optical modulators 3-1 to 3-N are provided instead of the optical frequency shifters 21-1 to 21-N shown in FIG. (2) An optical distributor 32a is provided instead of the optical distributor 32 shown in FIG. (3) The optical control type reception signal processing device of the array antenna shown in FIG. 1 further includes a laser diode 4. Except for the above (1) to (3) of the second embodiment,
The configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

An optical control type reception signal processing apparatus for an array antenna according to the second embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. In the optical control type reception signal processing device of the array antenna, the optical distributor 32a distributes the first beam light of the frequency f _c output from the laser diode 31 into a plurality N of second beam lights, The respective second light beams are input to the optical modulators 3-1 to 3-N. The laser diode 4 also generates a reference beam of light having a frequency f _ref and outputs it to the light emitter 2-r of the light emitter array 22. The optical modulator 3-k modulates the input second light beam according to a received signal input thereto, for example, by a predetermined modulation method such as intensity modulation, AM modulation, PM modulation, or the like, and modulates it after the modulation. The beam light is output to each light emitting unit 2-k of the light emitter array 22.

Here, each modulated beam light has a phase corresponding to the phase of the received signal received by each antenna element 11-k, and as shown in FIG. Two
Frequency f _c of the beam light and frequency difference nf _RF (n = 1,
2, sideband components having different frequencies. Therefore, each sideband component of each modulated beam light has a phase determined by the phase of the received signal received by each antenna element 11-k and the frequency difference nf _RF (n = 1, 2, ...). Have. Here, in particular, the frequency (f _c +
The sideband component having f _RF ) is called the first upper sideband component,
The sideband components having a frequency (f _c -f _RF) is referred to as a first lower sideband component. The frequency (f _c + 2f _RF) is referred to as the sideband components second upper sideband component having the frequency (f _c -
The sideband component having 2f _RF ) is called the second lower sideband component.

In the light emitter array 22, the light emitter 2
-1 to 2-N are the same as in the first embodiment,
The emitted beam light corresponding to each input modulated beam light is emitted to the lens 44 so as to be superposed. Further, the light emitting unit 2-r emits the reference radiation beam light B-r corresponding to the input reference beam light to the lens 44 so as to overlap with the above-mentioned radiation beam light.

Here, since each sideband component of each modulated beam light has a phase corresponding to the phase of the received signal received by the corresponding antenna element and the frequency difference nf _RF , each sideband component The components are emitted from the respective light emitting units 2-k so as to have different phase inclinations. That is,
The phase tilt between the first upper sideband components included in each of the plurality of modulated beam lights and the phase tilt between each first lower sideband component included in each of the plurality of modulated beam lights are different. Therefore, in the second embodiment, a plurality of beams are formed in different directions for each sideband component, corresponding to the arrival direction of each received wave.

The respective beams formed in different directions for the respective sideband components corresponding to the arrival directions of the respective received waves are incident on the optical sampling device array 42 via the lens 44 together with the reference beam light. , Spatially sampled by the optical sampling device array 42. The optical sampling device array 42 outputs the sampled sampling beam lights to the photoelectric converters 43-1 to 43-M. Here, since each sampling beam light is sampled at a different position, it includes a sideband component corresponding to the sampled position and a reference beam light. That is, the optical sampling device array 42 includes the sampling optical fibers 42-1 to 42-M.
By spatially sampling the incident combined beam light at different M positions, the beam light formed corresponding to each arrival direction and each sideband component of each received wave is sampled.

The photoelectric converters 43-1 to 43-M having the nonlinear photoelectric conversion characteristic respectively input the sampling beam light to each frequency of each sideband component and the frequency f _{ref of the} reference beam light. And the low-pass filters 9-1 to 9-9.
-Output to M. Here, the photoelectric converters 43-1 to 43
Since each modulated beam light includes a plurality of sideband components as described above, the radio signal output from -M includes a plurality of radio signal components respectively corresponding to the plurality of sideband components. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the low-pass filters 9-1 to 9-M, which will be described later, extract the radio signal component corresponding to one sideband component of the plurality of sideband components. The frequency f _c and the reference frequency f _ref are set to. For example, in order to extract the radio signal component corresponding to the first upper sideband component having the frequency (f _c + f _RF ), the frequency f _c and the reference frequency f _ref are calculated as follows.
Is set to satisfy. The reference frequency f _ref shown in FIG. 5B is set so as to satisfy the expression 1. Here, the frequency f _c and the reference frequency f _ref are frequencies in the light region, and thus are sufficiently higher than the frequency f _{RF of the} radio signal. Therefore, f _c >> f _RF and f _ref >> f _RF hold.

[0042]

## EQU1 ## f _c + f _RF / 2 <f _ref <f _c + 3f _RF / 2, and f _ref ≠ f _c + f _RF

As a result, the photoelectric converters 43-1 to 4-3
Of the plurality of radio signal components output from 3-M, FIG.
As shown in (c), the first corresponding to the first upper sideband component
It can be converted radio signal component of the frequency _{{f RF -│f c -f ref │} } so that the lowest. Here, in FIG. 5, the second radio signal component adjacent to the radio signal component corresponding to the first upper sideband component has a frequency {2f _RF − | f _c −
f _ref │} and the second in the sampling beam light
Corresponds to the upper sideband component.

The low-pass filters 9-1 to 9-M are shown in FIG.
As shown by the dotted line in (c), the frequency {f _{RF −} | f
_c− f _ref |} and the frequency {2f _RF − | f _c −f _ref |} have a cutoff frequency, and the photoelectric converters 43-1 to 43−
Of the radio signal output from the M, and outputs the lowest frequency _{{f RF -│f c -f ref │} } signal selection circuit 51 and low-pass filtered to pass only the wireless signal components having a .

Similar to the first embodiment, the signal selection circuit 51 selects a predetermined signal from a plurality of signals output from each low-pass filter 9-i and selects the selected signal to bring it down. The down converter 53 outputs the signal to the converter 53, converts the frequency of the signal input from the signal selection circuit 51 into an intermediate frequency signal, and outputs the intermediate frequency signal to the demodulator 52. The demodulator 52 demodulates the intermediate frequency signal and outputs a demodulated signal.

Here, the radio signal in actual communication is
Since the first wireless signal component and the second wireless signal component are respectively modulated by the predetermined modulation method, the frequency {f _{RF −} | f
_c- f _ref |} and a frequency {2f _RF − | f _c −f _ref |} as a center, and a predetermined frequency bandwidth Δf. Therefore,
As shown in FIG. 6A, avoiding the condition that the lower limit value of the frequency band in the first wireless signal component after photoelectric conversion becomes negative, that is, in addition to the condition of Equation 1, Number 2
The frequency f _c and the reference frequency f _ref are set so as to satisfy Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6 (b), avoiding the condition that the lower limit value of the frequency band of the second wireless signal component is within the frequency band of the first wireless signal component, the frequency f
_It is necessary to set _c and the reference frequency f _ref . here,
In FIG. 6 (b), but the second wireless signal components having frequencies _{{2f RF -│f c -f ref │} } showed the case adjacent to the first radio signal, the frequency f _ref is the frequency (f _c + f _RF )
It is lower than the frequency the signal components having the is adjacent to the first radio signal component, in this case, the frequency (| | f _RF -f _c) a (| | f _RF -f _c) The frequency f _c and the reference frequency f _ref are set while avoiding the condition that the lower limit value of the frequency band of the signal component that is included is located within the frequency band of the first wireless signal component.

[0047]

[Number 2] _{| {f RF -│f c -f ref} │} |> Δf / 2

Further, in the second embodiment, the frequency f _c and the reference frequency f _ref are set so that the frequency of the radio signal component corresponding to the first lower sideband component becomes the lowest frequency. In order to extract the radio signal component corresponding to the first lower sideband component by the low pass filter 9-k, the reference frequency f _ref and the frequency should be Set _fc and.

[0049]

Equation 3] _{f c -f RF / 2> f} ref> f c -3f RF / 2, and f _ref ≠ f _c -f _RF

Further, by setting the reference frequency f _ref and the frequency f _c so as to satisfy the following equation 4, the second frequency
The radio signal component corresponding to the upper sideband component is set to have the lowest frequency, and the radio signal component corresponding to the second upper sideband component is extracted by the low pass filter 9-k. be able to. Further, by setting the reference frequency f _ref and the frequency f _c so as to satisfy the following equation 5, the frequency of the radio signal component corresponding to the second lower sideband component is set to the lowest frequency. Then, the radio signal component corresponding to the second lower sideband component can be configured to be extracted by the low pass filter 9-i.

[0051]

Equation 4] _{f c + 3f RF / 2 <} f ref <f c + 5f RF / 2,
And f _ref ≠ f _c + 2f _RF

Equation 5] _{f c -3f RF / 2> f} ref> f c -5f RF / 2,
And f _ref ≠ f _c -2f _RF

[0052] That is, in the second embodiment, the frequency difference between the reference frequency f _ref and different and sideband frequency and the reference frequency f _ref is the received signal of the frequency f _RF 1/2
A radio signal component corresponding to a sideband component having a sideband frequency set to be less than is extracted.

As described above, in the second embodiment, by setting the reference frequency f _ref and the frequency f _c under predetermined conditions, the radio signal component corresponding to an arbitrary sideband component can be obtained. Can be extracted by the low-pass filter 9-i.

As described above, the optical control type reception signal processing device of the array antenna according to the second embodiment having the first configuration is
Of the array antenna according to the embodiment of the present invention, which has the same effect as that of the optical control type reception signal processing device, and has an arbitrary sideband component among a plurality of sideband components generated when modulated by the optical modulator 3-k. Can be configured to extract a radio signal component corresponding to.

<First Modification> In the first and second embodiments described above, the reference beam light is radiated through the light radiating section 2-r of the light radiating array 22. The invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. 7, a light radiator 221, a lens 44a, and a beam combiner 45 may be provided and the reference beam light may be emitted from the light radiator 221. In this case, the reference beam light emitted from the light emitter 221 is input to the beam combiner 45 via the lens 44a, and in the beam combiner 45, the light emitter array 22 is emitted.
The Fourier transform beam light emitted from a and combined is combined and output to the optical sampling device array 42. Here, the light radiator array 22a is configured by removing the light emitting portion 2-r from the light radiator array 22, and includes the optical frequency shifters 21-1 to 21-N or the optical modulators 3-1 to 3-N. Emit the incoming light beam. Even with the above configuration, the same effect as that of the first and second embodiments can be obtained.

<Second Modification> In the first and second embodiments described above, the reference beam light is radiated through the light radiating section 2-r of the light radiating array 22. The invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. 8, the light distributor 321, the lens 44a, and the light combiners 47-1 to 47-M are provided, and the reference beam light is supplied to the light combiners 47-1 to 47-M. It may be combined with the sampling beam light. That is, the light distributor 321 distributes the input reference beam light into a plurality of M pieces, and respectively divides the light into the light combiner 47-1.
To 47-M, and photosynthesizers 47-1 to 47-M
Are combined with the input sampling beam light and the input reference beam light, respectively, and are respectively converted into photoelectric converters 4.
It outputs to 3-1 to 43-M. Even with the above configuration, the same effects as those of the first and second embodiments are obtained.

<Third Modification> Further, in the first embodiment, a laser diode 31 and an optical distributor 32 are provided,
The first beam light output from the laser diode 31 is divided into (N + 1) pieces by the light distributor 32,
It is configured to output the reference light beam and the N second light beams. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG.
The laser diode 4 for outputting to r is further provided, and the first beam light outputted from the laser diode 31 is divided into N pieces by the light distributor 32 and inputted to each light emitting section 2-k. You may. Even with the above configuration, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the frequencies of the reference beam light and the second beam light can be set to different predetermined frequencies, and the photoelectric converter 43 can be set. -K
The frequency of the radio signal after photoelectric conversion can be set to a predetermined frequency. Accordingly, the down converter 53 can be omitted.

<Other Modifications> Further, the above first and second
In this embodiment, the light emitter array 22 in which the light emitting units 2-1 to 2-N are arranged in a one-dimensional direction and the optical sampling in which sampling optical fibers 42-1 to 42-M are arranged in a one-dimensional direction are used. The device array 42 and the antenna element 11
The array anathena 1 in which -1 to 11-N are arranged in a one-dimensional direction is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a light emitter array in which a plurality of light emitting units 2-1 to 2-N are arranged in a matrix shape in a two-dimensional direction,
Multiple sampling optical fibers in matrix form 2
An optical sampling device array arranged in the dimension direction and an array antenna in which a plurality of antenna elements are arranged in a matrix shape in the two-dimensional direction may be used. With the above configuration, it is possible to three-dimensionally form a light beam corresponding to the arrival direction of each received signal,
It has the same effect as that of the first to third embodiments.

In the first and second embodiments described above,
The optical sampling device array 42 is configured by using the sampling optical fibers 42-1 to 42-M, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be configured by using a plurality of optical waveguides formed on the substrate. Good. With the above-described configuration, the same operation as that of the first and second embodiments is achieved and the same effect is obtained, and the sampling optical fiber 12-
Since the optical waveguides can be formed at a narrower interval than when arrayed using 1 to 12-M, the combined beam light can be spatially sampled at a narrow interval, and the beam light input to the input surface P12 can be detected. Can sample efficiently.

In the above first and second embodiments, as the antenna elements 11-1 to 11-N, a dipole antenna, a metal patch antenna formed on a dielectric substrate, a horn antenna or the like is used. Can
Further, various antennas such as a helical antenna and a slot antenna can be used. That is, the present invention is not limited by the type of antenna used.

In the above-described first and second embodiments and modifications, the received signal received by each antenna element 11-k is
Optical frequency shifter 21 as it is without frequency conversion
-K or optical modulator 3-k
The present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the received signal may be frequency-converted into an intermediate frequency signal and then input to the optical frequency shifter 21-k or the optical modulator 3-k. In this case, the down converter 53 provided between the signal selection circuit 51 and the demodulator 52 can be removed. Even with the above configuration, the same effects as those of the first and second embodiments and the modified examples can be obtained.

Further, the optical frequency shifter 21-k in the first embodiment propagates in the optical waveguide of the electro-optic crystal having the three-fold axis in addition to the structure using the optical modulator and the optical filter. A method of applying a rotating electromagnetic field to circularly polarized light, and optical SSB
A modulator or the like can be used. Even with the above-described configuration, the same operation as in the first embodiment is achieved and the same effect is obtained.

Although the lens 44 is used in the first and second embodiments and the modifications described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and the lens 44 may be removed. Even with the above-described configuration, the same operation as in the first and second embodiments and the modified example can be obtained, the same effect can be obtained, and the configuration can be simplified.

In the first and second embodiments described above, the low-pass filter 9-i is used, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a band-pass filter having a predetermined pass band is used. It may be configured by using. Even with the above configuration, the same effects as those of the first and second embodiments are obtained.

[0065]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna, which is received by an array antenna comprising a plurality of N antenna elements which are closely arranged in a predetermined arrangement shape. A reception signal processing device for processing a reception signal having a predetermined reception frequency, the first beam light generated by the light generating means is distributed, and the N second light beams and the reference light are distributed. Light distribution means for outputting a beam of light, and a frequency of the second beam of light provided corresponding to each of the plurality of N antenna elements, the reception frequency of each reception signal received by each corresponding antenna element. A plurality of N optical frequencies for outputting the third light beam by changing the phase of each of the second light beams by changing only the phase of each reception signal received by the corresponding antenna element. Shift means and The reference beam light and the plurality N of the third beam lights are radiated so as to overlap each other to form the combined beam light, and the formed combined beam light is combined into a plurality M. Sampling means for spatially sampling at M positions and outputting a plurality of M sampled fourth light beams, and a plurality of M first samples output from the sampling means having nonlinear photoelectric conversion characteristics. 4 light beams are photoelectrically converted, and a plurality of M photoelectric conversion units that output photoelectrically converted signals are provided. As a result, since multi-beam signal processing can be performed without using digital signal processing, it is possible to form a multi-beam signal processing circuit that is faster and has a wider band than the conventional example, and the array antenna has a simple circuit configuration and a small size. It is possible to provide the optical control type reception signal processing device.

An optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna according to a second aspect is the optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna according to the first aspect, wherein the light emitting means emits the reference beam light. The first light emitting means for emitting and the plurality N of the third beam lights are emitted so as to be superposed on each other to generate a first combined beam light in which the plurality N of the third beam lights are combined. It is provided with a second light emitting means for forming, and a beam combining means for combining the reference beam light and the first combined beam to output the combined beam. As a result, since the first combined beam light can be combined with the reference beam light, the combination with the reference beam light can be facilitated, and moreover, the optical axis of the reference beam light and the combined beam light can be combined. They can be combined so that the optical axes match. Therefore, it is effective when the number of antenna elements increases.

An optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna according to a third aspect is the optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna according to the first or second aspect, further comprising a plurality of M photoelectric conversion means. There are provided a plurality of M filtering means for filtering and outputting from each output signal a signal component having a frequency equal to the reception frequency of the reception signal. As a result, a signal component having a frequency equal to the reception frequency of the reception signal can be extracted and output from each signal output from the photoelectric conversion means.

Further, in the optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the plurality of N
A reception signal processing device for processing a reception signal having a predetermined reception frequency, which is received by an array antenna composed of a plurality of antenna elements, the light generation means generating and outputting the first beam light, A first light distribution unit that distributes the first beam light in phase to output the N second light beams and the reference light beam, and distributes the reference light beam to a plurality of M units. The second light distributing means for outputting and the frequency of each of the second beam lights are changed by the reception frequency of each reception signal received by each corresponding antenna element, and A plurality of N optical frequency shift means for outputting the third beam light by changing the phase by the phase of each received signal received by each corresponding antenna element and the third beam light are overlapped with each other. Radiate to match A plurality of M fourth beam lights sampled by spatially sampling the first combined beam light and the first combined beam light at a plurality of M positions different from each other. And a plurality of M units for respectively outputting the second combined beam lights by combining the respective fourth beam lights with the respective reference beam lights output from the second light distributing unit. And a plurality of M photoelectric conversion means for photoelectrically converting the plurality of M second combined beam lights and outputting photoelectrically converted signals, respectively. This makes it possible to combine the plurality of M fourth light beams and the reference light beam after sampling,
It is possible to easily combine with the reference beam light, and it is not necessary to set the optical axis of the reference beam light in a predetermined direction, and since the reference beam light is not emitted into the space, the attenuation of the reference beam light can be reduced. .

An optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna according to a fifth aspect is the optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna according to the fourth aspect, wherein each of the plurality of M photoelectric conversion means is further provided. It is provided with a plurality of M filtering means for filtering and outputting from each output signal a signal component having a frequency equal to the reception frequency of the reception signal. Thus, it is possible to extract and output a signal component having a frequency equal to the reception frequency of the reception signal from each signal output from the photoelectric conversion means.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical control type received signal processing device for an array antenna, wherein the received signal is received by an array antenna comprising a plurality of N antenna elements.
A reception signal processing device for processing a reception signal having a radio frequency, comprising: a reference light generating unit for generating and outputting a reference beam light having a predetermined reference frequency; and a first frequency different from the reference frequency. A light generating means for generating and outputting a first light beam, a light distributing means for distributing the first light beam in phase, and outputting a plurality of N second light beams; The second beam light is modulated by a predetermined modulation method according to each reception signal received by each corresponding antenna element, and is different from the reference frequency, and the frequency difference between the sideband frequency and the reference frequency is the radio frequency. A plurality of N light beams each of which is a modulated signal having at least one sideband including one sideband having a sideband frequency set to be less than 1/2 Light modulation of And radiating the reference beam light and the plurality N of the third beam lights so as to overlap each other, and combining the reference beam light and the plurality N of the third beam lights. A light emitting means for forming a beam, a sampling means for sampling the combined beam light at a plurality of M positions different from each other, and outputting a plurality of M fourth light beams, and a plurality of the Mth fourth light beams. A plurality of M photoelectric conversion means for photoelectrically converting the respective beam lights and outputting respective signals respectively having a plurality of signal components corresponding to the respective sidebands. As a result, it is possible to form a multi-beam at a higher speed than the conventional example,
An optical control type reception signal processing device of an array antenna having a simple circuit configuration and a small size can be provided, and a signal component having a frequency corresponding to the above sideband can be output as a reception signal.

An optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna according to a seventh aspect is the optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna according to the sixth aspect, wherein the light emitting means emits the reference beam light. The first light emitting means for emitting and the plurality of N third beam lights output from the plurality of N optical phase shifting means are emitted so as to overlap each other, and a plurality of N third beams are emitted. Second light emitting means for forming a first combined beam of light, a reference beam of light emitted from the first light emitting means, and a second light emitting means formed by the second light emitting means. Beam combining means for combining the combined beam light of No. 1 and outputting the combined beam light is provided. As a result, after the first combined beam light is combined, it can be combined with the reference beam light, so that the combination with the reference beam light can be facilitated, and moreover, the optical axis of the reference beam light and the combined beam light can be combined. They can be combined so that the optical axes coincide with each other, and are effective when the number of antenna elements increases.

An optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna according to claim 8 is the optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising a plurality of M photoelectric conversion means. From the respective signals respectively output from the above, a plurality of M filtering means for low-pass filtering and outputting so as to extract a signal component corresponding to the above sideband is provided. Thus, the signal component corresponding to the sideband can be extracted and output from each signal output from the photoelectric conversion unit.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna, which is received by an array antenna comprising a plurality of N antenna elements which are closely arranged in a predetermined arrangement shape. A reception signal processing device for processing a reception signal having a radio frequency, the reference light generating means generating and outputting a reference beam light having a predetermined reference frequency, and a reference output from the reference light generating means. First light distributing means for distributing and outputting a plurality of light beams to a plurality of M, light generating means for generating and outputting a first light beam having a frequency different from the reference frequency, and the light generating means. A second light distributing means for in-phase distributing the generated first beam light into a plurality of N pieces and outputting a plurality of in-phase distributed second beam light pieces; and the plurality of N antenna elements. In response Each of the second light beams output from the second light distribution means is modulated by a predetermined modulation method according to each reception signal received by each corresponding antenna element, and is different from the reference frequency. Modulation having at least one sideband including one having a sideband frequency set such that a frequency difference between the sideband frequency and the reference frequency is less than 1/2 of the radio frequency. The plurality of N light modulating means for respectively outputting the respective third light beams as signals and the plurality of N third light beams outputted from the plurality of N light modulating means are radiated so as to overlap each other. Then, the light emitting means for forming the first combined beam light in which the plurality N of the third beam lights are combined and the plurality of M for the first combined beam light formed by the light emitting means are different from each other. Spatially at individual positions Sampling means for sampling and outputting a plurality M of sampled fourth light beams, and each of the reference beams output from the first light distribution means for each of the fourth light beams output from the sampling means. A plurality of M light combining means for respectively combining the light beams with each other to output each second combined light beam, and a plurality M of second light combining means having a nonlinear photoelectric conversion characteristic and outputted from the sampling means. A plurality of M photoelectric conversion means for photoelectrically converting the light beams and outputting signals respectively having a plurality of signal components corresponding to the respective sidebands are provided. With this, the plurality of M fourth light beams and the reference light beam can be combined with each other after sampling, so that they can be easily combined with the reference light beam and the optical axis of the reference light beam can be changed. Since it is not necessary to set the reference beam in a predetermined direction and the reference beam is not emitted into the space, the attenuation of the reference beam can be reduced.

An optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna according to the ninth aspect, further comprising a plurality of M photoelectric conversion means. A plurality of M filtering means for low-pass filtering and outputting the extracted signal components corresponding to the sidebands are output from each output signal. Thus, the signal component corresponding to the sideband can be extracted and output from each signal output from the photoelectric conversion unit.

An optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna according to claim 11 of the present invention is a device for receiving a predetermined signal which is received by an array antenna comprising a plurality of N antenna elements which are closely arranged in a predetermined arrangement shape. A reception signal processing device for processing a reception signal having a reception frequency of, reference light generating means for generating and outputting a reference beam light having a predetermined reference frequency, and a first light source having a predetermined frequency.
Of the first light beam generated by the light generation unit is in-phase distributed to the plurality of N light beams, and the plurality of N light beams of the same phase are distributed to the second light beam. Of the second beam light output from the light distributing means, which is provided corresponding to the light distributing means for outputting as the light beam of N and each of the plurality of N antenna elements. By changing only the reception frequency of each received signal received and changing the phase of each second beam light by the phase of each received signal received by the corresponding antenna element, the frequency and phase are changed. A plurality of N optical frequency shift means for outputting the changed third light beam, a reference light beam output from the reference light generating means, and a plurality of N light frequency shift means are output. A plurality of N third light beams and Radiation to as superimposed with each other, a light emitting means for forming the reference beam and the plurality of N third light beam and the combined beam light synthesized,
Sampling means for spatially sampling the composite beam light formed by the light emitting means at a plurality of M positions different from each other and outputting a plurality of M sampled fourth light beams, and nonlinear photoelectric conversion. A plurality of M photoelectric conversion units having characteristics and photoelectrically converting a plurality M of the fourth light beams output from the sampling unit and outputting photoelectrically converted signals are provided. As a result, the reference beam light and the second beam
It is possible to set a different frequency from the beam light of, and the frequency of the signal after the photoelectric conversion can be set to a frequency different from the reception frequency.

An optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna according to a twelfth aspect is the optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna according to the eleventh aspect, wherein the light emitting means emits the reference beam light. The first light emitting means for emitting and the plurality N of the third beam lights output from the plurality N of the optical frequency shifting means are emitted so as to overlap each other, and the plurality N of the third beams are emitted. Second light emitting means for forming a first combined beam of light, a reference beam of light emitted from the first light emitting means, and a second light emitting means formed by the second light emitting means. Beam combining means for combining the combined beam light of No. 1 and outputting the combined beam light. As a result, since the first combined beam light can be combined with the reference beam light, the combination with the reference beam light can be facilitated, and moreover, the optical axis of the reference beam light and the combined beam light can be combined. They can be combined so that the optical axes match. Therefore, it is effective when the number of antenna elements increases.

An optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna according to a thirteenth aspect is the optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna according to the eleventh aspect or the twelfth aspect, further comprising a plurality of M photoelectric conversion means. It is provided with a plurality of M filtering means for filtering and outputting the signal components having a predetermined frequency from the respective signals respectively output from the. As a result, the signal components having the above-mentioned predetermined frequency can be extracted and output from the respective signals output from the photoelectric conversion means.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an optically controlled reception signal processing device for an array antenna according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a light emitter array 22 of FIG.

3 is a front view of an entrance surface P12 of the optical sampling device array 42 of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an optically controlled reception signal processing device for an array antenna according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

5A is a graph showing the frequencies of sidebands included in the light beam light output from the optical modulator 3-k in the optical control type reception signal processing device of the array antenna of FIG. 4. FIG. , (B) are graphs showing the reference frequency f _ref of the reference beam light in the graph of (a).
(C) is a graph which shows the frequency of the signal component contained in the radio signal output from the photoelectric converter 43-i.

FIG. 6A is a low-pass filter 9 of the signal components included in the radio signal output from the photoelectric converter 43-i.
-B is a graph showing a signal output from -i, (b)
3 is a graph showing a signal output from the low-pass filter 9-i and a signal adjacent to the signal, of the signal components included in the wireless signal output from the photoelectric converter 43-i.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a part of a first modified example according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a part of a second modified example according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a third modified example according to the present invention.

10 is a graph showing a plurality of wireless signal components included in a wireless signal output from the photoelectric converter 43-i of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Array antenna, 2-1 to 2-N, 2-r ... Optical emission part, 3-1 to 3-N ... Optical modulator, 4,31 ... Laser diode, 7-1 to 7-N, 7- r ... Optical fiber cable, 9-1 to 9-M ... Low-pass filter, 11-1 to 11-N ... Antenna element, 12-1 to 12-N ... Receiver module, 21-1 to 21-N ... optical frequency shifter, 22, 22a ... optical radiator array, 32, 321 ... optical distributor, 42 ... optical sampling device array, 42-1 to 42-M ... sampling optical fiber, 43-1 to 43-M ... photoelectric Converter, 44 ... Lens, 45 ... Beam combiner, 47-1 to 47-M ... Optical combiner, 51 ... Signal selection circuit, 52 ... Demodulator, 53 ... Down converter, 221 ... Optical radiator.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI Technical display location H04B 1/18 H04B 1/18 L 10/28 9/00 Y 10/26 10/14 10/04 10/06 (72) Keizo Inagaki, Keizo Inagaki, Seika-cho, Soraku-gun, Kyoto, Odaira, Sanriya, No. 5, Mihiratani, Inc. AT Optical Optical Communication Laboratory, Inc. (72) Ryu Miura, Seiraku-cho, Soraku-gun, Kyoto Kenjiya Sanriya No. 5 ATR Optical Radio Communications Research Institute, Inc. (72) Inventor Yoshio Karasawa No. 5 Inayan Subscript Sanhiraya No. 5 Seika-cho, Soraku-gun, Kyoto ATR Optical Radio Communications Research Inc. In-house

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A reception signal processing device for processing a reception signal having a predetermined reception frequency, which is received by an array antenna composed of a plurality of N antenna elements which are closely arranged in a predetermined arrangement shape. A plurality of (N) light generating means for generating and outputting a first light beam having a predetermined frequency, and a plurality of (N) first light beams generated by the light generating means.
+1) in-phase distribution, and in-phase distributed multiple (N +
1) Light distribution means for outputting N light beams of the light beams as a second light beam and outputting one light beam as a reference light beam; and the plurality of N antenna elements. Corresponding to each of the second beam lights outputted from the light distributing means, the frequency of each second beam light is changed by the reception frequency of each reception signal received by each corresponding antenna element, and each second light beam is changed. N optical frequencies for changing the frequency and phase of the beam light of the third beam light by changing the phase of each received signal received by each corresponding antenna element. The shift means, the reference beam light output from the light distribution means, and the plurality N of the third beam light output from the plurality of N optical frequency shift means are radiated so as to overlap each other, The above reference beam light and the above A light emitting unit that forms a combined beam of light by combining several N third beams of light, and the combined beam of light formed by the light emitting unit are spatially sampled at a plurality of M different positions. Then, the sampling means for outputting the sampled plurality of M number of fourth light beams and the photoelectric conversion of each of the plurality of M number of fourth light beams output from the sampling means have a non-linear photoelectric conversion characteristic. And outputs a plurality of photoelectrically converted signals, respectively.
An optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna, comprising: a plurality of photoelectric conversion means. 2. The light emitting means includes a first light emitting means for emitting the reference beam light and a plurality N of the third beam lights output from the plurality N of the optical frequency shifting means. Second light emitting means that emits so as to overlap each other to form a first combined beam light in which a plurality of N third beam lights are combined, and a reference emitted from the first light emitting means. Beam of light,
2. The light of an array antenna according to claim 1, further comprising beam combining means for combining the first combined beam light formed by the second light emitting means and outputting the combined beam light. Controlled reception signal processing device. 3. The optical control type reception signal processing device of the array antenna further includes a signal component having a frequency equal to the reception frequency of the reception signal from each of the signals output from the M photoelectric conversion units. An optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a plurality of M filtering means for filtering and outputting so as to extract. 4. A reception signal processing device for processing a reception signal having a predetermined reception frequency, which is received by an array antenna composed of a plurality of N antenna elements which are closely arranged in a predetermined arrangement shape. A plurality of (N) light generating means for generating and outputting a first light beam having a predetermined frequency and a plurality of (N) first light beams generated by the light generating means.
+1) in-phase distribution, and in-phase distributed multiple (N +
1) First light distributing means for outputting N light beams of the light beams as a second light beam and outputting one light beam as a reference light beam; and the first light beam. Second light distributing means for distributing the reference beam light outputted from the distributing means into a plurality of M reference beam lights and outputting the same, and the first light distributing means provided corresponding to each of the plurality of N antenna elements. The frequency of each second light beam output from the light distributing means is changed by the reception frequency of each reception signal received by each corresponding antenna element, and the phase of each second light beam is adjusted. A plurality of N optical frequency shift means for changing the phase of each received signal received by each antenna element to output a third beam light after changing the frequency and the phase, and the plurality of N optical frequency shift means. N output from the optical frequency shifting means Radiate to superimpose the third light beam to each other, first of the plurality of N third beam light is synthesized
Light emitting means for forming the combined beam light and the first combined beam light formed by the light emitting means are spatially sampled at a plurality of M positions different from each other, and the plurality of M sampled light beams are sampled. Sampling means for outputting four light beams, and each of the fourth light beams output from the sampling means is combined with each of the reference light beams output from the second light distributing means to obtain each second light beam. A plurality of M light combining means for outputting the combined beam of light and a plurality of M second combined beam lights output from the plurality of M of the light combining means are photoelectrically converted. And a plurality of M photoelectric conversion means for outputting photoelectrically converted signals, respectively, and an optical control type reception signal processing device of an array antenna. 5. The optical control type reception signal processing device of the array antenna further includes a signal component having a frequency equal to a reception frequency of the reception signal from each of the signals output from the M photoelectric conversion units. 5. An optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna according to claim 4, further comprising a plurality of M filtering means for filtering and outputting so as to be extracted. 6. A received signal processing device for processing a received signal having a radio frequency, which is received by an array antenna composed of a plurality of N antenna elements arranged in close proximity in a predetermined arrangement shape, A reference light generating means for generating and outputting a reference light beam having a predetermined reference frequency; a light generating means for generating and outputting a first light beam having a frequency different from the reference frequency; and the light generating means. Corresponding to the light distributing means for distributing the generated first beam light to the plurality of N in-phase and outputting the plurality of in-phase distributed second light beams to the plurality of N antenna elements. Each of the second light beams provided from the light distributing means is modulated by a predetermined modulation method according to each reception signal received by each corresponding antenna element, and the second frequency is different from the reference frequency. A modulated signal having at least one sideband including one sideband having a sideband frequency set such that a frequency difference between the band frequency and the reference frequency is less than 1/2 of the radio frequency. A plurality of N light modulating means for respectively outputting a certain third light beam, a reference light beam output from the reference light generating means, and a plurality of N light modulating means output from the N light modulating means. Third
And a light emitting means for forming combined beam light by combining the reference beam light and the plurality of N third beam lights, and the light emitting means. Sampling means for spatially sampling the formed combined beam lights at a plurality of M positions different from each other and outputting a plurality of M sampled fourth beam lights, and a nonlinear photoelectric conversion characteristic, A plurality of M photoelectric conversion means for photoelectrically converting a plurality of M number of fourth light beams output from the sampling means and outputting signals respectively having a plurality of signal components corresponding to the sidebands. An optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna, comprising: 7. The light emitting means includes a first light emitting means for emitting the reference beam light and a plurality of N third beam lights output from the plurality of N light phase shifting means. Second light emitting means that emits so as to overlap each other to form a first combined beam light in which a plurality of N third beam lights are combined, and a reference emitted from the first light emitting means. Beam of light,
7. The optical control of the array antenna according to claim 6, further comprising beam combining means for combining the first combined beam light formed by the second light emitting means and outputting the combined beam light. Type received signal processor. 8. An optical control type reception signal processing device for the array antenna, further comprising a low frequency band so as to extract a signal component corresponding to the sideband from each of the signals respectively output from the M photoelectric conversion means. 8. An optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna according to claim 6, further comprising a plurality of M filtering means for filtering and outputting. 9. A reception signal processing device for processing a reception signal having a radio frequency, which is received by an array antenna composed of a plurality of N antenna elements which are closely arranged in a predetermined arrangement shape. A reference light generating means for generating and outputting a reference light beam having a predetermined reference frequency; and a first light distributing means for distributing the reference light beam output from the reference light generating means to a plurality M and outputting the same. A light generating means for generating and outputting a first light beam having a frequency different from the reference frequency, and a first light beam generated by the light generating means for in-phase distribution to a plurality N of in-phase distributions. Second light distributing means for outputting the plurality of N number of second light beams, and each of the second light distributing means provided corresponding to each of the plurality of N antenna elements and output from the second light distributing means. 2 beams of light According to each received signal received by each antenna element, it is modulated by a predetermined modulation method, and the frequency difference between the sideband frequency and the reference frequency is less than 1/2 of the radio frequency. A plurality of N light modulating means for outputting each third light beam that is a modulation signal having at least one sideband including one sideband having the sideband frequency set as described above; A plurality of N third light beams output from the plurality of N light modulating means are radiated so as to overlap each other, and the plurality of N third light beams are combined to form a first combined beam light. And the first combined beam light formed by the light emitting means are spatially sampled at a plurality of M positions different from each other, and a plurality of M sampled fourth beam lights are sampled. Output Sampling means, and each fourth light beam output from the sampling means is combined with each reference light beam output from the first light distribution means to output a second combined light beam. Corresponding to each of the sidebands, by photoelectrically converting the plurality of M second combined beam lights having a nonlinear photoelectric conversion characteristic and the plurality of M second combined beam lights output from the sampling unit. An optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna, comprising: a plurality of M photoelectric conversion units that respectively output signals each having a plurality of signal components. 10. An optical control type reception signal processing device for the array antenna, further comprising a low frequency band for extracting a signal component corresponding to the sideband from each signal output from the M photoelectric conversion means. 10. The optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna according to claim 9, further comprising a plurality of M filtering means for filtering and outputting. 11. A reception signal processing device for processing a reception signal having a predetermined reception frequency, which is received by an array antenna composed of a plurality of N antenna elements arranged in close proximity in a predetermined arrangement shape. Reference light generating means for generating and outputting a reference light beam having a predetermined reference frequency; light generating means for generating and outputting a first light beam having a predetermined frequency; and light generating means generated by the light generating means. Corresponding to the light distributing means for distributing the first beam light in-phase to a plurality of N pieces and outputting the plurality of in-phase distributed beam light pieces as a second beam light, and the plurality of N antenna elements. And changing the frequency of each of the second beam lights output from the light distributing means by the reception frequency of each of the reception signals received by the corresponding antenna elements, and each of the second beams. A plurality of N optical frequency shift means for outputting the third light beam after changing the frequency and the phase by changing the phase of each of the received signals received by the corresponding antenna elements. A plurality of reference light beams output from the reference light generating means and a plurality of N light frequency shifting means output from the plurality N of optical frequency shifting means.
Light emitting means for radiating the third light beams so as to overlap each other to form a combined light beam in which the reference light beam and the plurality of N third light beams are combined. Sampling means for spatially sampling the composite beam light formed by the light emitting means at a plurality of M positions different from each other and outputting a plurality of M sampled fourth light beams; and a nonlinear photoelectric conversion characteristic. And a plurality of Ms that photoelectrically convert the plurality of M number of fourth light beams output from the sampling means and output photoelectrically converted signals.
An optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna, comprising: a plurality of photoelectric conversion means. 12. The light emitting means includes a first light emitting means for emitting the reference beam light and a plurality of N third beam lights output from the plurality of N optical frequency shift means. Second light emitting means that emits so as to overlap each other to form a first combined beam light in which a plurality of N third beam lights are combined, and a reference emitted from the first light emitting means. Beam of light,
The light of the array antenna according to claim 11, further comprising beam combining means for combining the first combined beam light formed by the second light emitting means and outputting the combined beam light. Controlled reception signal processing device. 13. The optical control type reception signal processing device of the array antenna further filters so as to extract a signal component having a predetermined frequency from each signal output from each of the M photoelectric conversion units. 13. The optical control type reception signal processing device for an array antenna according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising a plurality of M filtering means for outputting the same.