Optical fiber beamformer for processing two independent simultaneous RF beams

We propose a novel architecture for an optical programmable dispersion matrix (PDM) able to process simultaneous independent RF beams. The proposal is demonstrated by processing the transmission of two independent RF signals in two-channels with a resolution of 3-bit. The optical beamformer processes two independent RF-beams, for eight different angular directions, and it is based on a binary array of three delay lines. Each delay line is composed of four fiber Bragg gratings whose center wavelengths are channels 30 to 33 of the ITU grid. Beampatterns are characterized in transmit mode for two simultaneous RF beams in 0.6-1.5 GHz frequency range and azimuth angles from 0o to 70.