Abstract
In this paper, we report a novel optical beamformer based on fiber Bragg
grating technology capable of adjusting not only main beam direction, but
also side-lobe level ratio (SLR) and null positions in the array radiation
pattern. This beamformer is compatible with dense wavelength-division
multiplexing (DWDM) configurations, and consists of two chains of cascaded
gratings that can independently control both the phase and the amplitude of
the signals, feeding each array element for $2\pi$ and 10 dB, respectively. We characterized the effect of this
beamformer on signal quality in an experimental radio-over-fiber (ROF) link
by externally modulating and transmitting an IEEE 802.11a compliant signal
over the beamformer. The measured error vector magnitude of the received
signal confirmed that there was no additive distortion or noise, and
consequently, we achieved error-free transmission for the highest possible
bit rate. Finally, we demonstrated the capability of this beamformer in
beam-/null-steering and SLR reductions by measuring the radiation pattern of
the array antenna of an optimized DWDM-ROF link. The measurements are
compared to simulations for several examples of radiation patterns.
© 2009 IEEE
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