Optical Phase Lock Loop Based Phased Array Transmitter for Optical Commmunications

Abstract

We propose a novel deep space optical communication scheme, in which an integrated optical phased array (OPA) is used for both phase modulation and fine beam steering. In particular, an optical phase-locked loop (OPLL) based phased array with full electronic control over the phase is introduced and analyzed. The performance of such an array as a beam steering mechanism is evaluated and compared to realistic steering requirements for deep space applications. It is shown that an array with a high fill factor (>0.7) with about 300 elements per dimension is needed to meet these requirements. The effect of residual phase noise due to limited loop bandwidth is analyzed. Finally, the theory is validated by experimental results demonstrating successful beam steering using a two-element phased array.

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