基于光实时延迟线的波束成形技术研究回顾

doi:10.11959/j.issn.2096-8930.2022017

摘要/Abstract

摘要：

卫星通信在下一代通信协议中扮演了一个重要的角色，这给研究者带来了机遇与挑战。为有效、灵活地利用卫星载荷资源，波束成形是必不可少的技术。为探寻更优的波束成形技术，首先对比光实时延迟线所组成的光控波束成形与传统模拟波束原理。基于光实时延迟线的相控阵波束成形技术在满足卫星通信中体积小、重量轻、功率低需求的同时还可轻易实现在波束扫描的过程中无斜视。然后分析不同技术路径下光实时延迟线的波束成形技术的优势与约束，如基于微型环谐振腔阵列、基于光栅延迟线、基于多路径切换与光开关和基于波长选择性的光实时延迟线。最后总结光控波束成形技术研究现状，提出在卫星互联网中实现的可能性，并对其未来发展方向进行预测。

关键词: 卫星互联网, 波束成形, 光实时延迟线

Abstract:

The important role satellite communications plays in next-generation communication protocols brings both opportunities and challenges.Beamforming is an essential technology for effi cient and fl exible utilization of onboard resources.To explored a better beamforming technology, the optical control beamforming composed of the optical real-time delay line and the traditional analog beam were compared in principle.The phased array beamforming technology based on optical true time delay line meets the expectations of small size, lightweight, and low power in satellite communication.Phased arrays based on optical true delay lines could easily achieved no squint during beam scanning.The technical advantages and constraints of beamforming of optical real-time delay lines under diff erent technical paths were analyzed.For example, based on micro-ring resonator arrays, based on grating delay lines, based on multi-path switching and optical switches, and based on wavelength-selective optical true time delay lines.Finally, the research status of the existing optical beamforming technology was summarized.The possibility of realization in satellite interconnection was proposed, and its future development direction was predicted.

Key words: satellite network, beamforming, optical true time delay line

中图分类号:

TP393

夏师懿, 李国通. 基于光实时延迟线的波束成形技术研究回顾[J]. 天地一体化信息网络, 2022, 3(2): 20-27.

Shiyi XIA, Guotong LI. The Review of Beamforming Technology Based on Optical True Time Delay Line[J]. Space-Integrated-Ground Information Networks, 2022, 3(2): 20-27.

图/表 6

图1

图2

图3

图4

图5

表1

参考文献 38

[1]	XIA S Y , JIANG Q J , ZOU C ,et al. Beam coverage comparison of LEO satellite systems based on user diversification[J]. IEEE Access, 2019,7: 181656-181667.
[2]	RINALDI F , MAATTANEN H L , TORSNER J ,et al. Nonterrestrial networks in 5G ＆ beyond:a survey[J]. IEEE Access, 2020,8: 165178-165200.
[3]	周宇昌 . 通信卫星星上波束成形技术及发展[J]. 空间电子技术, 2000(3): 7-15.
	ZHOU Y C . On-board beamforming technology and development of communication satellites[J]. Space Electronic Technology, 2000(3): 7-15.
[4]	NORDEBO S , CLAESSON I , NORDHOLM S . Weighted Chebyshev approximation for the design of broadband beamformers using quadratic programming[J]. IEEE Signal Processing Letters, 1994,1(7): 103-105.
[5]	DOLFI D , JOFFRE P , ANTOINE J ,et al. Experimental demonstration of a phased-array antenna optically controlled with phase and time delays[J]. Applied Optics, 1996,35(26): 5293-5300.
[6]	蒋国锋 . 光控相控阵天线的关键技术[J]. 现代雷达, 2014,36(8): 57-59.
	JIANG G F . Key techniques of optically controlled phased array antenna[J]. Modern Radar, 2014,36(8): 57-59.
[7]	FRIGYES I , SEEDS A J . Optically generated true-time delay in phased-array antennas[J]. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 1995,43(9): 2378-2386.
[8]	XU L G , TAYLOR R , FORREST S R . True time-delay phasedarray antenna feed system based on optical heterodyne techniques[J]. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 1996,8(1): 160-162.
[9]	CORRAL J L , MARTI J , FUSTER J M ,et al. True time-delay scheme for feeding optically controlled phased-array antennas using chirped-fiber gratings[J]. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 1997,9(11): 1529-1531.
[10]	CHEN Y , WU K , ZHAO F ,et al. Reconfigurable true-time delay for wideband phased-array antennas[EB]. 2004.
[11]	MERKEL K D , BABBITT W R . Optical coherent-transient truetime-delay regenerator[J]. Optics Letters, 1996,21(15): 1102-1104.
[12]	YEGNANARAYANAN S , JALALI B . Wavelength-selective true time delay for optical control of phased-array antenna[J]. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 2000,12(8): 1049-1051.
[13]	LEE H , JEON H B , JUNG J W . Optical true time-delay beamforming for phased array antenna using a dispersion compensating fiber and a multi-wavelength laser[C]// 2011 4th Annual Caneus Fly by Wireless Workshop. Piscataway:IEEE Press, 2011: 1-4.
[14]	XU X Y , WU J Y , NGUYEN T G ,et al. Advanced RF and microwave functions based on an integrated optical frequency comb source[J]. Optics Express, 2018,26(3): 2569.
[15]	HUANG H , ZHANG C F , CHEN C ,et al. Optical true time delay pools based centralized beamforming control for wireless base stations phased-array antennas[J]. Journal of Lightwave Technology, 2018,36(17): 3693-3699.
[16]	TSOKOS C , MYLONAS E , GROUMAS P ,et al. Optical beamforming network for multi-beam operation with continuous angle selection[J]. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 2019,31(2): 177-180.
[17]	BELKIN M E , FOFANOV D , GOLOVIN V ,et al. Design and optimization of photonics-based beamforming networks for ultrawide mmWave-band antenna arrays[J]. Array Pattern Optimization, 2019.
[18]	LI J , . Optically Steerable Phased Array Enabling Technology Based on Mesogenic Azobenzene Liquid Crystals for Starlink Towards 6G[C]// 2020 IEEE Asia-Pacific Microwave Conference (APMC). Piscataway:IEEE Press, 2020: 345-347.
[19]	VAN V B D , BUCKLEY K M . Beamforming:a versatile approach to spatial filtering[J]. IEEE ASSP Magazine, 1988,5(2): 4-24.
[20]	MORALES á , MONROY I T , NORDWALL F ,et al. 50 GHz optical true time delay beamforming in hybrid optical/mm-wave access networks with multi-core optical fiber distribution[J]. Chinese Optics Letters, 2018,16(4).
[21]	BURLA M , MARPAUNG D , ZHUANG L M ,et al. Integrated photonic ${\rm K}\rm u$-band beamformer chip with continuous amplitude and delay control[J]. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 2013,25(12): 1145-1148.
[22]	TESSEMA N M , CAO Z , VAN ZANTVOORT J H C ,et al. A tunable Si₃N₄integrated true time delay circuit for opticallycontrolled K-band radio beamformer in satellite communication[J]. Journal of Lightwave Technology, 2016,34(20): 4736-4743.
[23]	XIANG C , DAVENPORT M L , KHURGIN J B ,et al. Lowloss continuously tunable optical true time delay based on Si₃N₄ ring resonators[J]. IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, 2018,24(4): 1-9.
[24]	SHAN W S , LU L J , WANG X Y ,et al. Broadband continuously tunable microwave photonic delay line based on cascaded silicon microrings[J]. Optics Express, 2021,29(3): 3375-3385.
[25]	HAN Y , SHI S J , JIN R T ,et al. Integrated waveguide true time delay beamforming system based on an SOI platform for 28 GHz millimeter-wave communication[J]. Applied Optics, 2020,59(26): 7770-7778.
[26]	ZHANG W , YAO J . A fully reconfigurable waveguide Bragg grating for programmable photonic signal processing[J]. Nature Communications, 2018,9: 1396-1400.
[27]	BRUNETTI G , CONTEDUCA D , DELL'OLIO F , ,et al. Design of an ultra-compact graphene-based integrated microphotonic tunable delay line[J]. Optics Express, 2018,26(4): 4593-4604.
[28]	WANG Y , SUN H , KHALIL M ,et al. On-chip optical true time delay lines based on subwavelength grating waveguides[J]. Optics Letters, 2021,46(6): 1405-1408.
[29]	SUN H , WANG Y , CHEN L R . Integrated discretely tunable optical delay line based on step-chirped subwavelength grating waveguide Bragg gratings[J]. Journal of Lightwave Technology, 2020,38(19): 5551-5560.
[30]	SRIVASTAVA N K , PARIHAR R , RAGHUWANSHI S K . Efficient photonic beamforming system incorporating a unique featured tunable chirped fiber Bragg grating for application extended to the ku-band[J]. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 2020,68(5): 1851-1857.
[31]	PéREZ-LóPEZ D , SáNCHEZ E , CAPMANY J . Programmable true time delay lines using integrated waveguide meshes[J]. Journal of Lightwave Technology, 2018,36(19): 4591-4601.
[32]	ZHU C , LU L J , SHAN W S ,et al. Silicon integrated microwave photonic beamformer[J]. Optica, 2020,7(9): 1162.
[33]	ZHOU L J , WANG X Y , LU L J ,et al. Integrated optical delay lines:a review and perspective[J]. Chinese Optics Letters, 2018,16(10): 43-58.
[34]	段兴, 张斯滕, 姜媛媛 ,等. 多通道可编程光控真时延网络方案改进与实现[J]. 光通信技术, 2017,41(5): 1-4.
	DUAN X , ZHANG S T , JIANG Y Y ,et al. Improvement and implementation of a multi-channel programmable optical controlled true time delay network[J]. Optical Communication Technology, 2017,41(5): 1-4.
[35]	YANG D H , LIN W P . Phased-array beam steering using optical true time delay technique[J]. Optics Communications, 2015,350: 90-96.
[36]	XUE X X , XUAN Y , BAO C Y ,et al. Microcomb-based true-timedelay network for microwave beamforming with arbitrary beam pattern control[J]. Journal of Lightwave Technology, 2018,36(12): 2312-2321.
[37]	TESSEMA N M , TRINIDAD A M , MEKONNEN K A ,et al. A photonics-assisted beamformer for K-band RF antenna arrays[C]// 2017 International Topical Meeting on Microwave Photonics (MWP). Piscataway:IEEE Press, 2017: 1-4.
[38]	WANG X , ZHAO Y H , DING Y H ,et al. Tunable optical delay line based on integrated grating-assisted contradirectional couplers[J]. Photonics Research, 2018,6(9): 880-888.

结构	时延精度/ps	时延可调范围/ps	扫描范围	微波频率/GHz	芯片平台
MRR^[21]	-	0～236	-30°～30°	12～18	-
MRR^[37]	-	0～200	-	20	SiN
MRR^[23]	0～3.4	500	-	10	SiN
MRR^[24]	-	0～160	-	16	-
MRR^[22]	34	252	-28°～34°	19.5	SiN
GDL^[28]	4.7	181.9	-	10	Si
GDL^[27]	13	200	-	-	石墨烯+Si
GDL^[38]	50	100	-	5	SOI
GDL^[29]	6.6	60	-	10	SOI
GDL^[25]	4.62	15.46	-60°～60°	27.5～28.35	SOI
GDL^[30]	0.2	300	-36.8°～36.8°	8～12	SOI
路径切换	13.5	148.5	-	-	-
光开关^[32]	2～16	496	-75.51°～75.64°	8～18	SOI
Comb^[36]	18.75	300	±60°	8～20	SOI
AWG^[34]	20	20000	-	-	-
注：MRR为微型谐振环；GDL为光栅延迟线；Comb为微型微谐振器频率梳源；AWG为阵列波导光栅