Stabilized Photonic Links for Frequency and Time Transfer in Antenna Arrays

A stabilized photonic link has been developed that significantly simplifies X-band and Kaband signal transport for high-performance reference frequency distribution and antenna array applications. A cost-effective, integrated fiber-optic calibration technology provides long-term phase stability in the actual link used for broadband signal transport. This should directly benefit antenna array downlink applications that require signal phase alignment at a central site in order to correlate received signals. It also provides direct benefit to antenna array uplink applications that require phase alignment of all transmitted signals at the receiving target. We report the general design concepts with applicability to downlink/uplink array designs and present initial phase sensitivity tests and stabilization results.