Chromatic Dispersion Induced Semi Optical Pulse Stretching Approach to Beam Steering Applications of Phase Array Antenna

A semi optical technique based on chromatic dispersion induced pulse stretching effect of single mode optical fiber has been utilized to demonstrate the beam steering of phase array antenna. In the proposed study $$1 \times 4$$ antenna array has been fabricated at desired specifications before applying the photonic feeding concept. In the beginning of the paper detail, fabrication process of antenna array has been demonstrated followed with establishing relationships between the phase shifts introduced between two consecutive antenna elements. The purpose of this paper is to design and fabricate a novel Rectangular Microstrip antenna array. The Resonant frequency of antenna is 13 GHz. The proposed rectangular patch antenna has been designed using FR4 with dielectric constant (er = 4.4), loss tangent (tanδ) equal to 0.02. The individual rectangular patch antenna is coaxially feeded using photonic excitation. Various important parameters like return loss, gain, VSWR, radiation pattern etc are measured and compared with simulated results. High frequency Structure simulator (HFSS) is used for simulation. A concept of pulse stretching in beam steering has been experimentally validated.