WO2022024362A1 - Optically controlled array antenna device - Google Patents

Abstract

An optically controlled array antenna device (100) comprises: a multi-wavelength light source (110) that simultaneously outputs a plurality of light waves having wavelengths at even wavelength intervals with regard to one another; a light modulation unit (120) that receives the plurality of light waves as multi-wavelength light, and outputs a multi-modulated light by using an input microwave to modulate, as a batch, each of the plurality of light waves included in the multi-wavelength light; a light wavelength-dispersive delay unit (130) that receives the multi-modulated light, and applies a group delay to the multi-modulated light by applying a delay to each of the plurality of modulated lights included in the multi-modulated light; a light wavelength splitting unit (140) that receives the delayed multi-modulated light, said delayed multi-modulate light being the multi-modulated light after the group delay has been applied, and respectively splits the plurality of delayed modulated lights included in the delayed multi-modulated light into a plurality of different light paths; a plurality of photoelectric conversion units (150) that respectively receive the plurality of delayed modulated lights, and convert the delayed modulated lights into microwave signals; and an array antenna (160) that receives the plurality of microwave signals, and emits a plurality of microwaves into a space.

Description

Optically controlled array antenna device

This disclosure relates to an optical control type array antenna device.

There is an optical control type array antenna device that radiates microwaves of different wavelengths into space.
For example, Patent Document 1 includes a modulated light generation unit including a light source unit and a modulator that output light waves having spectrum lines having a plurality of different wavelengths, and a wavelength dispersion that delays the light waves from the modulated light generation unit. It includes a delay means, a demultiplexer that demultiplexes each spectrum, a photoelectric conversion unit including a plurality of photoelectric converters that convert light waves from the demultiplexers, and an array antenna, and an electric signal from the photoelectric converter. Disclosed is an optical control type array antenna device that radiates microwaves of a plurality of different wavelengths into space by applying the above to each element of the array antenna (particularly see FIG. 15).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-165956

In the optical control type array antenna device, when the wavelength interval of a plurality of light waves fluctuates, the beam direction of the microwaves radiated from the array antenna shifts or the beam pattern of the microwaves changes.
Therefore, as described above, if the light source unit simply outputs light waves having a plurality of different wavelength spectral lines as in the conventional optical control type array antenna device disclosed in Patent Document 1. There is a problem that the beam direction of the microwave emitted from the array antenna may be deviated or the beam pattern of the microwave may be changed.

The present disclosure is for solving the above-mentioned problems, and is an optical control type array antenna capable of suppressing a deviation in the beam direction of microwaves radiated from an array antenna or a change in a microwave beam pattern. The purpose is to provide the device.

The optical control type array antenna device according to the present disclosure receives a multi-wavelength light source that simultaneously outputs a plurality of light waves having wavelengths equal to each other and a plurality of light waves output by the multi-wavelength light source as multi-wavelength light. An optical modulator that outputs the modulated multi-wavelength light as multi-modulated light by collectively modulating each of a plurality of light waves contained in the wavelength light with an input microwave, and a multi-modulated light output by the optical modulator. In response to this, an optical wavelength dispersion delay section that gives a group delay to the multi-modulated light by giving a corresponding delay to each of the plurality of modulated lights contained in the multi-modulated light for each modulated light, and an optical wavelength. In response to the delayed multi-modulated light, which is the multi-modulated light after the dispersion delay unit gives a group delay, each of the plurality of delayed-modulated lights contained in the delayed multi-modulated light has a plurality of optical paths different from each other for each delay-modulated light. Multiple photoelectric conversions that convert the delayed-modulated light into a microwave signal for each delayed-modulated light by receiving each of the optical wavelength demultiplexer that demultiplexes the light It is provided with a unit and an array antenna in which each of the plurality of photoelectric conversion units receives a plurality of photoelectrically converted microwave signals and radiates a plurality of microwaves into space.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress a deviation in the beam direction of the microwave radiated from the array antenna or a change in the beam pattern of the microwave.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a main part of the optical control type array antenna device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a main part of the optical control type array antenna device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a main part of the optical control type array antenna device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a main part of the optical control type array antenna device according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a main part of the optical control type array antenna device according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a main part of the optical control type array antenna device according to the sixth embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1.
The optical control type array antenna device 100 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a main part of the optical control type array antenna device 100 according to the first embodiment.
The optical control type array antenna device 100 includes a multi-wavelength light source 110, an optical modulation unit 120, an optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130, an optical wavelength demultiplexing unit 140, a plurality of photoelectric conversion units 150, and an array antenna 160.

The multi-wavelength light source 110 is a light source that simultaneously outputs a plurality of light waves having wavelengths at equal wavelength intervals.
Hereinafter, the multi-wavelength light source 110 is assumed to output light waves having n (n is an arbitrary natural number of 3 or more) wavelengths different from each other, and the wavelengths of the n light waves output by the multi-wavelength light source 110 are λ1 and λ2, respectively. , ..., and λn. Further, k (arbitrary natural number in which k is 2 or more and n or less) -1. The difference between λk-1, which is the wavelength of the first light wave, and λk, which is the wavelength of the kth light wave, is defined as Δλ.
The multi-wavelength light source 110 simultaneously outputs n light waves in which the wavelengths of the plurality of light waves are λ1, λ1 + Δλ, ..., And λ1 + (n-1) Δλ, respectively.
The multi-wavelength light source 110 is composed of, for example, a mode lock laser. The multi-wavelength light source 110 is not limited to the mode lock laser. For example, the multi-wavelength light source 110 outputs a sideband wave generated when phase-modulated to a single-frequency laser beam as a light wave. May be good.

The optical modulation unit 120 receives a plurality of light waves output by the multi-wavelength light source 110 as multi-wavelength light. Further, the optical modulation unit 120 receives the input microwave. The optical modulation unit 120 collectively modulates each of the plurality of light waves included in the multi-wavelength light by the input microwave, and outputs the modulated multi-wavelength light as the multi-modulated light.
Specifically, the optical modulation unit 120 outputs the multi-modulated light obtained by intensity-modulating the multi-wavelength light.
Since the optical modulation unit 120 intensity-modulates the multi-wavelength light, the respective wavelengths of the plurality of light waves included in the multi-wavelength light are the respective wavelengths of the plurality of light waves included in the multi-wavelength light. Equal to λ1 + Δλ, ..., And λ1 + (n-1) Δλ.
The optical modulation unit 120 is composed of a Mach-Zehnder type optical modulator, an electric field absorption (EA: Electro-Absorption) modulator, or the like.

The optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130 receives the multi-modulated light output by the optical modulation unit 120. The optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130 gives a group delay to the multi-modulated light by giving a corresponding delay to each of the plurality of modulated lights included in the multi-modulated light for each modulated light.
The optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130 outputs the multi-modulated light after giving a group delay to the multi-modulated light as delayed multi-modulated light. Since the optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130 gives a group delay to the multi-modulated light, each wavelength of the plurality of delayed-modulated lights included in the delayed multi-modulated light is a plurality of modulations included in the multi-modulated light. It is equal to λ1, λ1 + Δλ, ..., And λ1 + (n-1) Δλ, which are the respective wavelengths of light.
The optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130 is composed of, for example, a dispersible optical fiber. The optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130 is not limited to a dispersible optical fiber. For example, the optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130 is a charped fiber in which the grating period to the optical fiber is gradually changed in the longitudinal direction. -The configuration may be a combination of a Bragg glazing (CFBG) and an optical circulator.

A general optical fiber having dispersibility has, for example, 20 ps / nm / km (picoseconds / nanometers / km) as a group delay coefficient (hereinafter referred to as “group delay coefficient”). The group delay coefficient means a delay time per 1 km of fiber length and 1 nm of wavelength.
For example, when the optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130 is configured by a general optical fiber having dispersibility, as shown by the above-mentioned group delay coefficient, a plurality of light wavelength dispersion delay units 130 included in the multi-modulated light input to the optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130. A group delay proportional to the wavelength of the modulated light is added to each of the modulated lights.
Hereinafter, it will be described that the modulated light input to the optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130 is delayed by Δt with respect to Δλ. That is, the delay time of the delayed modulated light having a wavelength of λk (= λ1 + (k-1) Δλ) contained in the delayed multi-modulated light is (k-) based on the delay time of the delayed modulated light having a wavelength of λ1. 1) It becomes Δt.

The optical wavelength demultiplexing unit 140 receives delayed multi-modulated light, which is multi-modulated light after the optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130 gives a group delay, and receives each of the plurality of delayed-modulated light included in the delayed multi-modulated light. , The delay-modulated light is demultiplexed into a plurality of different optical paths.
When the multi-wavelength light source 110 outputs n light waves having different wavelengths, the optical wavelength demultiplexing unit 140 demultiplexes each of the n delay-modulated lights into n optical paths different from each other.

Each of the plurality of photoelectric conversion units 150 receives the corresponding delay-modulated light among the plurality of delay-modulated lights demultiplexed by the optical wavelength demultiplexing unit 140, and converts the delayed-modulated light into a microwave signal. ..
Specifically, when the multi-wavelength light source 110 outputs n light waves having different wavelengths, the optical control type array antenna device 100 includes n photoelectric conversion units 1501, 1502, ..., 150n. ..
Hereinafter, any photoelectric conversion unit 150m (m is an arbitrary natural number of 1 or more and n or less) among n photoelectric conversion units 1501, 1502, ..., 150n is delayed modulation having a wavelength of λm. It will be described as assuming that it receives light and converts the delayed modulated light into a microwave signal.
Specifically, the photoelectric conversion unit 150k that received the delay-modulated light having a wavelength of λk (= λ1 + (k-1) Δλ) was (k-) from the photoelectric conversion unit 1501 that received the delay-modulated light having a wavelength of λ1. 1) Convert the delayed modulated light delayed by Δt into a microwave signal.

The array antenna 160 receives a plurality of microwave signals obtained by photoelectrically converting delay-modulated light by each of the plurality of photoelectric conversion units 150, and radiates the plurality of microwaves into space.
Specifically, when the multi-wavelength light source 110 outputs n light waves having different wavelengths, the array antenna 160 corresponds to each of the n photoelectric conversion units 1501, 1502, ..., 150n. The antenna elements 1601, 1602, ..., 160n are provided. Each of the n antenna elements 1601, 1602, ..., 160n included in the array antenna 160 receives a microwave signal from the corresponding photoelectric conversion unit 1501, 1502, ..., 150n and converts it into the microwave signal. Radiates the based microwave into space.

The plurality of microwaves radiated by the array antenna 160 in space have wavelengths at equal wavelength intervals from each other. Further, when a plurality of microwaves radiated in space by the array antenna 160 have wavelengths at equal wavelength intervals, one of the two microwaves having wavelengths adjacent to each other has Δt at equal intervals with respect to the other. It will be delayed.
The direction of the microwave beam radiated from the array antenna 160 is determined by the phase gradient of the microwave radiated from the antenna elements 1601, 1602, ..., 160n. Therefore, by adjusting the length of the delay time for each microwave emitted from the antenna elements 1601, 1602, ..., 160n to a predetermined length, the beam of the microwave emitted from the array antenna 160 Can determine the direction of.
Therefore, by configuring as described above, the optical control type array antenna device 100 suppresses the deviation of the beam direction of the microwave radiated from the array antenna 160 or the change of the beam pattern of the microwave. Can be done.

The length of the delay time for each microwave emitted from the antenna elements 1601, 1602, ..., 160n may be adjusted to a predetermined length. Therefore, in the above description, the optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130 adds a delay of Δt proportional to the magnitude of Δλ to the modulated light input to the optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130, but the optical wavelength is not always the same. The dispersion delay unit 130 does not have to add a delay proportional to the magnitude of Δλ.

As described above, the optical control type array antenna device 100 according to the first embodiment has a multi-wavelength light source 110 that simultaneously outputs a plurality of light waves having wavelengths at equal wavelength intervals to each other, and a plurality of multi-wavelength light sources 110 that output a plurality of light waves. Optical modulator 120 that receives light waves as multi-wavelength light and collectively modulates each of the plurality of light waves contained in the multi-wavelength light with input microwaves to output the modulated multi-wavelength light as multi-modulated light. And, by receiving the multi-modulated light output by the optical modulation unit 120 and giving a delay corresponding to each of the plurality of modulated lights included in the multi-modulated light for each modulated light, the group for the multi-modulated light. A plurality of delayed modulated lights included in the delayed multi-modulated light received by the optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130 that gives a delay and the delayed multi-modulated light that is the multi-modulated light after the optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130 gives a group delay. Each of the delay-modulated light receives the optical wavelength demultiplexing unit 140 that demultiplexes each of these into a plurality of optical paths different from each other for each delayed-modulated light, and the plurality of delayed-modulated light demultiplexed by the optical wavelength demultiplexing unit 140. A plurality of photoelectric conversion units 150 that convert delayed modulated light into microwave signals for each, and an array that receives a plurality of photoelectrically converted microwave signals from each of the plurality of photoelectric conversion units 150 and radiates a plurality of microwaves into space. It was equipped with an antenna 160.

With this configuration, the optical control type array antenna device 100 can suppress the deviation of the beam direction of the microwave radiated from the array antenna 160 or the change of the beam pattern of the microwave.

Embodiment 2.
The optical control type array antenna device 100a according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a main part of the optical control type array antenna device 100a according to the second embodiment.
The optical control type array antenna device 100a includes a multi-wavelength light source 110, an optical modulation unit 120, a first optical switch 180, a plurality of optical wavelength dispersion delay units 130, a second optical switch 181 and an optical wavelength demultiplexing unit 140, and a plurality of photoelectrics. It includes a conversion unit 150 and an array antenna 160.

In the optical control type array antenna device 100a according to the second embodiment, the first optical switch 180 and the second optical switch 181 are added to the optical control type array antenna device 100 according to the first embodiment, and the optical wavelength is increased. The difference is that a plurality of dispersion delay units 130 are provided.
In the configuration of the optical control type array antenna device 100a according to the second embodiment, the same configuration as the optical control type array antenna device 100 according to the first embodiment is designated by the same reference numerals and duplicated description will be omitted. That is, the description of the configuration of FIG. 2 having the same reference numerals as those shown in FIG. 1 will be omitted.

Hereinafter, the multi-wavelength light source 110 is assumed to output n light waves having different wavelengths from each other as in the multi-wavelength light source 110 according to the first embodiment, and the wavelengths of the n light waves output by the multi-wavelength light source 110 are Let each be λ1, λ2, ..., And λn. Further, the difference between λk-1, which is the wavelength of the k-1st light wave, and λk, which is the wavelength of the kth light wave, is defined as Δλ.

The first optical switch 180 receives the multi-modulated light output by the optical modulation unit 120, connects to a designated optical path from among a plurality of optical paths, and outputs the multi-modulated light to the connected optical path.
Specifically, the first optical switch 180 receives the multi-modulated light output by the optical modulation unit 120 and connects to an optical path designated from among i (i is a natural number of 2 or more) optical paths. , Outputs multi-modulated light to the connected optical path.

Each of the plurality of optical wavelength dispersion delay units 130 gives different group delays to the multi-modulated light output by the first optical switch 180 for each optical path in which the first optical switch 180 outputs the multi-modulated light.
Specifically, the first optical switch 180 receives the multi-modulated light output by the optical modulation unit 120, connects to a designated optical path from among the i optical paths, and transmits the multi-modulated light to the connected optical path. When outputting, the optical control type array antenna device 100a includes i optical wavelength dispersion delay units 1301, 1302, ..., 130i. Each of the i optical wavelength dispersion delay units 130 gives different group delays to the multi-modulated light output from the first optical switch 180. More specifically, any optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130j (j is an arbitrary natural number of 1 or more and i or less) among i optical wavelength dispersion delay units 1301, 1302, ..., 130i). Delays the input modulated light by Δtj with respect to Δλ.

The second optical switch 181 receives a plurality of delayed multi-modulated light, which is multi-modulated light after each of the plurality of optical wavelength dispersion delay units 130 gives a group delay, from each of the plurality of optical wavelength dispersion delay units 130. A designated delayed multi-modulated light is selected from a plurality of delayed multi-modulated lights received from each of the optical wavelength dispersion delay units 130, and the selected delayed multi-modulated light is output to the optical wavelength demultiplexing unit 140.

The beam direction of the microwave emitted by the array antenna 160 changes depending on the delay time of each of the plurality of microwaves emitted by the array antenna 160.
Therefore, with the above configuration, the optical control type array antenna device 100a radiates while suppressing the deviation in the beam direction of the microwave radiated from the array antenna 160 or the change in the beam pattern of the microwave. The beam direction of the microwave can be adjusted.

The number of optical paths to which the first optical switch 180 is connected at the same time is not limited to one. Specifically, the first optical switch 180 receives the multi-modulated light output by the optical modulation unit 120 and is simultaneously connected to a plurality of designated optical paths from among the plurality of optical paths, and the connected plurality of optical paths are connected. The multi-modulated light may be output at the same time. When the first optical switch 180 outputs the multi-modulated light to a plurality of optical paths at the same time, the second optical switch 181 simultaneously selects a plurality of specified delayed multi-modulated lights and selects a plurality of selected delayed multi-modulated lights. It is output to the optical wavelength demultiplexing unit 140 at the same time.
With the above configuration, the optical control type array antenna device 100a emits a plurality of beams of the same microwave toward different directions, and the directions of the respective beams are deviated or the beam pattern is different. Changes can be suppressed.

As described above, the optical control type array antenna device 100a according to the second embodiment has a multi-wavelength light source 110 that simultaneously outputs a plurality of light waves having wavelengths at equal wavelength intervals to each other, and a plurality of multi-wavelength light sources 110 that output a plurality of light waves. Optical modulator 120 that receives light waves as multi-wavelength light and collectively modulates each of the plurality of light waves contained in the multi-wavelength light with input microwaves to output the modulated multi-wavelength light as multi-modulated light. And, by receiving the multi-modulated light output by the optical modulation unit 120 and giving a delay corresponding to each of the plurality of modulated lights included in the multi-modulated light for each modulated light, the group for the multi-modulated light. A plurality of delayed modulated lights included in the delayed multi-modulated light received by the optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130 that gives a delay and the delayed multi-modulated light that is the multi-modulated light after the optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130 gives a group delay. Each of the delay-modulated light receives the optical wavelength demultiplexing unit 140 that demultiplexes each of these into a plurality of optical paths different from each other for each delayed-modulated light, and the plurality of delayed-modulated light demultiplexed by the optical wavelength demultiplexing unit 140. A plurality of photoelectric conversion units 150 that convert delayed modulated light into microwave signals for each, and an array that receives a plurality of photoelectrically converted microwave signals from each of the plurality of photoelectric conversion units 150 and radiates a plurality of microwaves into space. It was equipped with an antenna 160.

Further, in the above configuration, the optical control type array antenna device 100a according to the second embodiment receives the multi-modulated light output by the optical modulation unit 120 and connects to a designated optical path from among a plurality of optical paths. The first optical switch 180 that outputs multi-modulated light to the connected optical path and the multi-modulated light output by the first optical switch 180 are different from each other for each optical path that the first optical switch 180 outputs multi-modulated light. A plurality of optical wavelength dispersion delay units 130 for delaying multi-modulated light, which is multi-modulated light after each of the plurality of optical wavelength dispersion delay units 130 that give a group delay and each of the plurality of optical wavelength dispersion delay units 130 gives a group delay. Select the specified delayed multi-modulated light from among the plurality of delayed multi-modulated light received from each of the plurality of optical wavelength dispersion delay units 130, and use the selected delayed multi-modulated light for the optical wavelength. A second optical switch 181 that outputs to the wave unit 140 is provided.

With this configuration, the optical control type array antenna device 100a emits microwaves while suppressing a deviation in the beam direction of the microwaves radiated from the array antenna 160 or a change in the beam pattern of the microwaves. The beam direction of can be adjusted.

Embodiment 3.
The optical control type array antenna device 100b according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a main part of the optical control type array antenna device 100b according to the third embodiment.
The optical control type array antenna device 100b includes a multi-wavelength light source 110, an optical branching unit 170, a plurality of optical modulation units 120, a plurality of optical wavelength dispersion delay units 130, an optical combiner unit 171 and an optical wavelength demultiplexing unit 140, and a plurality of photoelectrics. It includes a conversion unit 150 and an array antenna 160.

In the optical control type array antenna device 100b according to the third embodiment, an optical branching unit 170 and an optical combining unit 171 are added to the optical controlled array antenna device 100 according to the first embodiment, and the optical modulation unit 120 is added. The difference is that a plurality of optical wavelength dispersion delay units 130 are provided.
In the configuration of the optical control type array antenna device 100b according to the third embodiment, the same configuration as the optical control type array antenna device 100 according to the first embodiment or the optical control type array antenna device 100a according to the second embodiment. The same reference numerals are given to the above, and duplicate explanations will be omitted. That is, the description of the configuration of FIG. 3 having the same reference numerals as those shown in FIGS. 1 or 2 will be omitted.

Hereinafter, the multi-wavelength light source 110 is assumed to output n light waves having different wavelengths from each other as in the multi-wavelength light source 110 according to the first embodiment, and the wavelengths of the n light waves output by the multi-wavelength light source 110. Let each be λ1, λ2, ..., And λn. Further, the difference between λk-1, which is the wavelength of the k-1st light wave, and λk, which is the wavelength of the kth light wave, is defined as Δλ.

The optical branching unit 170 receives a plurality of light waves output by the multi-wavelength light source 110 as multi-wavelength light, branches the multi-wavelength light, and outputs a plurality of multi-wavelength light.
Hereinafter, the optical branching unit 170 will be described as receiving a plurality of light waves output by the multi-wavelength light source 110 as multi-wavelength light, branching the multi-wavelength light, and outputting i multi-wavelength light.

Each of the plurality of optical modulation units 120 receives the multi-wavelength light of one of the plurality of multi-wavelength lights output by the optical branching unit 170, and each of the plurality of light waves included in the multi-wavelength light is converted into the optical modulation unit 120. The multi-wavelength light after modulation is output as multi-modulated light by collectively modulating each with the corresponding input microwave.
Specifically, when the optical branching unit 170 branches the multi-wavelength light and outputs i multi-wavelength light, the optical control type array antenna device 100b has i optical modulation units 1201, 1202, ... , 120i, and each of the i optical modulators 1201, 1202, ..., 120i collectively modulates n optical waves contained in the input multi-wavelength light by input microwaves different from each other. do.

Each of the plurality of optical wavelength dispersion delay units 130 receives the multi-modulated light output by the corresponding optical modulation unit 120 for each optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130, and for each of the plurality of modulated lights included in the multi-modulated light. By giving a corresponding delay for each modulated light, a group delay is given to the multi-modulated light.
Specifically, when the optical control type array antenna device 100b includes i optical modulation units 1201, 1202, ..., 120i, the optical control type array antenna device 100b has i optical wavelength dispersion delay units 1301. , 1302, ..., 130i. Each of the i optical wavelength dispersion delay units 130 is different from each other with respect to the multi-modulated light of one of the multi-modulated lights output from each of the i optical modulation units 1201, 1202, ..., 120i. Gives a group delay. More specifically, any of the i optical wavelength dispersion delay units 1301, 1302, ..., 130i, any optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130j delays the input modulated light by Δtj with respect to Δλ. Let me.

The optical combined wave unit 171 receives a plurality of delayed multi-modulated light, which is multi-modulated light after each of the plurality of optical wavelength dispersion delay units 130 gives a group delay, from each of the plurality of optical wavelength dispersion delay units 130, and a plurality of light wavelength dispersion delay units 130. A plurality of delayed multi-modulated lights received from the optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130 are combined, and a plurality of delayed multi-modulated lights after the combined waves are output to the optical wavelength demultiplexing unit 140 as delayed multi-modulated light.

With the above configuration, the optical control type array antenna device 100b does not include a plurality of multi-wavelength light sources 110, and a plurality of light waves having wavelengths at equal wavelength intervals output from one multi-wavelength light source 110. It is possible to emit a plurality of beams having a plurality of microwaves by using the multi-wavelength light. As a result, since the optical control type array antenna device 100b does not need to include a plurality of multi-wavelength light sources 110 when emitting a plurality of beams, the optical control type array antenna device 100b includes a plurality of multi-wavelength light sources 110. Compared with the case, the size of the optical control type array antenna device 100b can be reduced.
Further, with the above configuration, the optical control type array antenna device 100b can radiate a plurality of beams based on each of the plurality of polymodulated lights in different directions from each other.

As described above, the optical control type array antenna device 100b according to the third embodiment has a multi-wavelength light source 110 that simultaneously outputs a plurality of light waves having wavelengths at equal wavelength intervals to each other, and a plurality of multi-wavelength light sources 110 that output a plurality of light waves. Optical modulator 120 that receives light waves as multi-wavelength light and collectively modulates each of the plurality of light waves contained in the multi-wavelength light with input microwaves to output the modulated multi-wavelength light as multi-modulated light. And, by receiving the multi-modulated light output by the optical modulation unit 120 and giving a delay corresponding to each of the plurality of modulated lights included in the multi-modulated light for each modulated light, the group for the multi-modulated light. A plurality of delayed modulated lights included in the delayed multi-modulated light received by the optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130 that gives a delay and the delayed multi-modulated light that is the multi-modulated light after the optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130 gives a group delay. Each of the delay-modulated light receives the optical wavelength demultiplexing unit 140 that demultiplexes each of these into a plurality of optical paths different from each other for each delayed-modulated light, and the plurality of delayed-modulated light demultiplexed by the optical wavelength demultiplexing unit 140. A plurality of photoelectric conversion units 150 that convert delayed modulated light into microwave signals for each, and an array that receives a plurality of photoelectrically converted microwave signals from each of the plurality of photoelectric conversion units 150 and radiates a plurality of microwaves into space. It was equipped with an antenna 160.

Further, in the above-described configuration, the optical control type array antenna device 100b according to the third embodiment receives a plurality of light waves output by the multi-wavelength light source 110 as multi-wavelength light and branches the multi-wavelength light into a plurality of multi-waves. Multi-modulated light after each of the optical branching unit 170 that outputs wavelength light, the plurality of optical modulation units 120, the plurality of optical wavelength dispersion delay units 130, and the plurality of optical wavelength dispersion delay units 130 gives group delays. The delayed multi-modulated light, which is A light combining unit 171 that outputs delayed multi-modulated light as delayed multi-modulated light to the optical wavelength demultiplexing unit 140 is provided, and each of the plurality of optical modulation units 120 includes a plurality of multi-wavelength light output by the optical branch unit 170. By receiving one of the multi-wavelength light and simultaneously modulating each of the plurality of light waves contained in the multi-wavelength light with the input microwave corresponding to each optical modulation unit 120, the multi-wavelength light after modulation is performed. Is output as multi-modulated light, and each of the plurality of optical wavelength dispersion delay units 130 receives the multi-modulated light output by the corresponding optical modulation unit 120 for each optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130 and is included in the multi-modulated light. By giving a delay corresponding to each of the plurality of modulated lights for each modulated light, it is configured to give a group delay to the multi-modulated light.

With this configuration, the optical control type array antenna device 100b suppresses a deviation in the beam direction of the microwave radiated from the array antenna 160 or a change in the microwave beam pattern, and has one multi-wavelength. A plurality of beams having a plurality of microwaves can be emitted by using a multi-wavelength light which is a plurality of light waves having wavelengths at equal wavelength intervals output from the light source 110. As a result, when the optical control type array antenna device 100b emits a plurality of beams, it is not necessary to include the plurality of multi-wavelength light sources 110, so that the microwave beam emitted from the array antenna 160 is displaced or the beam direction is deviated. The size of the optical control type array antenna device 100b should be reduced as compared with the case where the optical control type array antenna device 100b includes a plurality of multi-wavelength light sources 110 while suppressing changes in the microwave beam pattern. Can be done.

Embodiment 4.
The optical control type array antenna device 100c according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a main part of the optical control type array antenna device 100c according to the fourth embodiment.
The optical control type array antenna device 100c includes a multi-wavelength light source 110, an optical branching unit 170c, an optical frequency conversion unit 190c, an optical modulation unit 120c, an optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130c, an optical combiner unit 171c, an optical wavelength demultiplexing unit 140c, and a plurality. The photoelectric conversion unit 150c and the array antenna 160 are provided.

The optical control type array antenna device 100c according to the fourth embodiment has an optical branching section 170c, an optical frequency conversion section 190c, and an optical combiner section 171c added to the optical control type array antenna device 100 according to the first embodiment. The optical modulation unit 120, the optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130, the optical wavelength demultiplexing unit 140, and the plurality of photoelectric conversion units 150 included in the optical control type array antenna device 100 according to the first embodiment are the optical modulation unit 120c. The difference is that the light wavelength dispersion delay unit 130c, the optical wavelength demultiplexing unit 140c, and a plurality of photoelectric conversion units 150c have been changed.
In the configuration of the optical control type array antenna device 100c according to the fourth embodiment, the same configuration as the optical control type array antenna device 100 according to the first embodiment is designated by the same reference numerals and duplicated description will be omitted. That is, the description of the configuration of FIG. 4 having the same reference numerals as those shown in FIG. 1 will be omitted.

Hereinafter, the multi-wavelength light source 110 is assumed to output n light waves having different wavelengths from each other as in the multi-wavelength light source 110 according to the first embodiment, and the wavelengths of the n light waves output by the multi-wavelength light source 110 are Let each be λ1, λ2, ..., And λn. Further, the difference between λk-1, which is the wavelength of the k-1st light wave, and λk, which is the wavelength of the kth light wave, is defined as Δλ.

The optical branching unit 170c receives a plurality of light waves output by the multi-wavelength light source 110 as multi-wavelength light, and the multi-wavelength light is referred to as two multi-wavelength light (hereinafter, one multi-wavelength light is referred to as "first multi-wavelength light". That is, the other multi-wavelength light is branched into "second multi-wavelength light"). The optical branching unit 170c outputs the first multi-wavelength light and the second multi-wavelength light, which are the two multi-wavelength lights after branching.

The optical frequency conversion unit 190c receives the second multi-wavelength light branched by the optical branching unit 170c, and collectively offsets the frequency of each of the plurality of light waves contained in the second multi-wavelength light by the second input microwave. Then, the second multi-wavelength light after the frequency is offset is output as the offset multi-wavelength light.
Specifically, for example, the optical frequency conversion unit 190c may be a modulator that combines a plurality of Mach-Zehnder type optical modulators, or an AO (Acousto-Optics) modulator that utilizes an acoustic-optical effect. It is composed.

The optical modulation unit 120c receives the first multi-wavelength light branched by the optical branching unit 170c, and collectively modulates each of the plurality of light waves contained in the first multi-wavelength light by the first input microwave. The first multi-wavelength light after modulation is output as multi-modulated light.
Here, the first input microwave used when the optical modulation unit 120c modulates the first multi-wavelength light is a microwave intermediate frequency (IF) signal.
The modulation method in which the optical modulation unit 120c modulates the first multi-wavelength light may be intensity modulation or phase modulation. The modulation method in which the optical modulation unit 120c modulates the first multi-wavelength light is determined by the format of the radio wave radiated from the array antenna 160 by the optical control type array antenna device 100c.

The optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130c receives the multi-modulated light output by the optical modulation unit 120c and gives a delay corresponding to each of the plurality of modulated lights included in the multi-modulated light for each modulated light. Gives a group delay to the modulated light.
Specifically, the optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130c provides a group delay for the multi-modulated light by giving a phase delay corresponding to each of the plurality of modulated lights included in the multi-modulated light for each modulated light. give.
More specifically, for example, the optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130c is composed of an optical fiber. The optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130c is not limited to the configuration made of an optical fiber, and the optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130c disperses or grates the first multi-wavelength light depending on the material or structure forming the optical waveguide. It may be something to make.

The optical combined wave unit 171c receives delayed multi-modulated light, which is multi-modulated light after the optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130c gives a group delay, and offset multi-wavelength light output by the optical frequency conversion unit 190c, and has a large delay. The modulated light and the offset multi-wavelength light are combined, and the delayed multi-modulated light after the combined wave and the offset multi-wavelength light are output as combined wave light.

The optical wavelength demultiplexing unit 140c receives the combined wave light output by the optical combined wave unit 171c, and divides the combined wave light into a plurality of different optical paths for each wavelength band of the combined wave light based on the wavelength band of the combined wave light.
The size of the wavelength band in each of the plurality of combined light after demultiplexing in a plurality of optical paths different from each other in the optical wavelength demultiplexing unit 140c is the frequency offset by the optical frequency conversion unit 190c, that is, optical frequency conversion. It is assumed that the part 190c is larger than the magnitude of the offset of the wavelength offset. Further, the output destinations of the plurality of combined light after the light wavelength demultiplexing unit 140c is demultiplexed do not depend on the delay amount given by the optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130c and the offset amount given by the optical frequency conversion unit 190c. And.

In the plurality of photoelectric conversion units 150c, the optical wavelength demultiplexing unit 140c receives the demultiplexed combined light from each of the plurality of optical paths, and the demultiplexed combined light is used as the frequency of the first input microwave for each optical path. It is converted into a microwave signal having a frequency calculated by the difference or sum of the frequency of the second input microwave. Each of the plurality of photoelectric conversion units 150c outputs the converted microwave signal to the array antenna 160.
Specifically, for example, the frequency of the microwave intermediate frequency signal, which is the first input microwave used by the optical modulation unit 120c to modulate the first multi-wavelength light, is set to fIF, and the optical frequency conversion unit 190c is the second multiple. Assuming that the frequency of the second input microwave used when offsetting the wavelength light is fLO, fRF, which is the frequency of the microwave signal output by the photoelectric conversion unit 150c, is fIF + fLO. Therefore, by changing the fLO, which is the frequency of the second input microwave, the fRF, which is the frequency of the microwave signal output by the photoelectric conversion unit 150c, can be changed.

Further, assuming that the frequency of one of the plurality of light waves output by the multi-wavelength light source 110 is fo, the frequency of the modulated light after the light wave is modulated by the light modulation unit 120c is simply fo + fIF. .. When the optical modulation unit 120c modulates the light wave, depending on the modulation method, a signal having a frequency of fo-fIF or fo + 2fIF is also output from the optical modulation unit 120c as modulation light, but the frequency is fo-. For signals such as fIF or fo + 2fIF, the description thereof will be omitted for the sake of simplicity.

Assuming that the phase delay given by the optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130c to the light wave having a frequency of fo is ΔΦ, the delay-modulated light corresponding to the light wave having a frequency of fo in the delayed multi-modulated light output from the optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130c is , Can be expressed by the following equation (1).
sin {2π (fo + fIF) + ΔΦ} ・ ・ ・ Equation (1)
On the other hand, the optical frequency conversion unit 190c shifts the frequency of the light wave whose frequency is fo in the multi-wavelength light received by the optical frequency conversion unit 190c to fo + fLO, so that the offset multi-wavelength light output by the optical frequency conversion unit 190c is used. The offset wavelength light corresponding to the light wave whose frequency is fo can be expressed by the following equation (2).
sin {2π (fo-fLO)} ・ ・ ・ Equation (2)

Among the plurality of photoelectric conversion units 150c, the photoelectric conversion unit 150c corresponding to the light wave having a frequency of fo corresponds to the delayed modulated light represented by the equation (1) and the offset wavelength light represented by the equation (2). The combined light with is photoelectrically converted.
Therefore, the microwave signal output by the optical frequency conversion unit 190c when the optical frequency conversion unit 190c photoelectrically converts the combined light has the following equation (3).
sin {2π (fo + fIF) + ΔΦ} = sin {2π (fRF) + ΔΦ} ・ ・ ・ Equation (3)
Therefore, the optical frequency conversion unit 190c can shift the phase of the microwave signal having a frequency of fRF by ΔΦ, which is the phase delay given to the optical wave having a frequency of fo by the optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130c.
The photoelectric conversion unit 150c corresponding to the light wave having a frequency of fo among the plurality of photoelectric conversion units 150c has been described above, but the photoelectric conversion unit 150c corresponding to the light wave of another frequency among the plurality of photoelectric conversion units 150c has been described. Since the same applies to the above, the description thereof will be omitted.

The array antenna 160 receives a plurality of microwave signals photoelectrically converted by each of the plurality of photoelectric conversion units 150c, and radiates the plurality of microwaves into space.
Since the array antenna 160 is the same as the array antenna 160 according to the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

With the above configuration, the optical control type array antenna device 100c can suppress the deviation of the beam direction of the microwave radiated from the array antenna 160 or the change of the beam pattern of the microwave.
Further, with the above configuration, the optical control type array antenna device 100c branches the multi-wavelength light output by the multi-wavelength light source 110 into two multi-wavelength light, and is the second multi-wavelength light which is one of the multi-wavelength light. By offsetting the frequency of the wavelength light and delaying the phase of the other multi-wavelength light, that is, the phase of the first multi-wavelength light by wavelength dispersion, that is, by shifting the phase of the first multi-wavelength light, the array antenna 160 A phase distribution can be collectively given to all the wavelengths radiated from.

Further, with the above configuration, the delay given to the multi-modulated light by the optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130c included in the optical control type array antenna device 100c may be on the phase order of the modulated light, and thus the optical wavelength dispersion delay. The unit 130c can be miniaturized or shortened, and as a result, the optical control type array antenna device 100c can be miniaturized as compared with the optical control type array antenna device 100 according to the first embodiment.
Further, by configuring as described above, the optical control type array antenna device 100c uses the optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130c whose wavelength dispersion amount can be adjusted as the optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130c, whereby the array antenna 160 You can switch the direction of the beam emitted by. The amount of dispersion of the wavelength required for the adjustment by the optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130c may be on the order of the wavelength of the light wave, and the amount of dispersion of the wavelength required for the adjustment is small. Therefore, by controlling the temperature of the optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130c and the like, the optical control type array antenna device 100c can switch the direction of the beam emitted by the array antenna 160.

In the above description, the optical frequency conversion unit 190c has described the case where the frequency of the light wave whose frequency is fo in the multi-wavelength light is offset by fLO by using the second input microwave whose frequency is fLO. The offset amount given to the light wave included in the multi-wavelength light by the optical frequency conversion unit 190c may be a multiplication of fLO such as 2fLO or 3fLO. Further, the direction of the offset given to the light wave included in the multi-wavelength light by the optical frequency conversion unit 190c may be the direction opposite to the fLO such as −fLO, −2fLO, or -3fLO.

As described above, the optical control type array antenna device 100c according to the fourth embodiment has a multi-wavelength light source 110 that simultaneously outputs a plurality of light waves having wavelengths at equal wavelength intervals to each other, and a plurality of multi-wavelength light sources 110 that output a plurality of light waves. The light wave is received as multi-wavelength light, and the multi-wavelength light is branched into the first multi-wavelength light and the second multi-wavelength light. For each of the plurality of light waves contained in the second multi-wavelength light, the frequency is collectively offset by the second input microwave, and the second multi-wavelength light after the frequency is offset is output as the offset multi-wavelength light. By receiving the first multi-wavelength light branched by the optical frequency conversion unit 190c and the optical branching unit 170c, each of the plurality of light waves contained in the first multi-wavelength light is collectively modulated by the first input microwave. , The optical modulation unit 120c that outputs the first multi-wavelength light after modulation as multi-modulated light, and the multi-modulated light output by the optical modulation unit 120c for each of the plurality of modulated lights contained in the multi-modulated light. The optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130c that gives a group delay to the multi-modulated light by giving a corresponding delay for each modulated light, and the multi-modulated light after the optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130c gives a group delay. In response to the delayed multi-modulated light and the offset multi-wavelength light output by the optical frequency conversion unit 190c, the delayed multi-modulated light and the offset multi-wavelength light are combined, and the delayed multi-modulated light and the offset multi-wavelength light after the combined wave are combined. A plurality of combined light that receives the combined light output by the optical combined light unit 171c that outputs the wavelength light as the combined light and the combined wave light that is output by the optical combined light unit 171c, and the combined light is different for each wavelength band of the combined light based on the wavelength band of the combined light. The optical wavelength demultiplexing unit 140c that demultiplexes into the optical path and the optical wavelength demultiplexing unit 140c receive the combined light after demultiplexing from each of the plurality of optical paths, and the combined light after demultiplexing for each optical path is the first. Each of the plurality of photoelectric conversion units 150c for converting into a microwave signal having a frequency calculated by the difference or sum of the frequency of the input microwave and the frequency of the second input microwave, and each of the plurality of photoelectric conversion units 150c are photoelectric conversion. It is equipped with an array antenna 160 that receives a plurality of the generated microwave signals and radiates a plurality of microwaves into space.

With this configuration, the optical control type array antenna device 100c can suppress the deviation of the beam direction of the microwave radiated from the array antenna 160 or the change of the beam pattern of the microwave.
Further, with this configuration, the optical control type array antenna device 100c branches the multi-wavelength light output by the multi-wavelength light source 110 into two multi-wavelength light, and the second multi-wavelength light which is one multi-wavelength light. From the array antenna 160 by offsetting the frequency of the light and delaying the phase of the other multi-wavelength light, the first multi-wavelength light, by wavelength dispersion, that is, by shifting the phase of the first multi-wavelength light. A phase distribution can be given to all the emitted microwaves at once.

Further, with this configuration, the delay given to the multi-modulated light by the optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130c included in the optical control type array antenna device 100c may be on the phase order of the modulated light, so that the optical wavelength dispersion delay unit The 130c can be miniaturized or shortened, and as a result, the optical control type array antenna device 100c can be miniaturized as compared with the optical control type array antenna device 100 according to the first embodiment.
Further, with this configuration, the optical control type array antenna device 100c uses the optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130c whose wavelength dispersion amount can be adjusted as the optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130c, so that the array antenna 160 can be used. The direction of the emitted beam can be switched. The amount of dispersion of the wavelength required for the adjustment by the optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130c may be on the order of the wavelength of the light wave, and the amount of dispersion of the wavelength required for the adjustment is small. Therefore, by controlling the temperature of the optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130c and the like, the optical control type array antenna device 100c can switch the direction of the beam emitted by the array antenna 160.

Embodiment 5.
The optical control type array antenna device 100d according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a main part of the optical control type array antenna device 100d according to the fifth embodiment.
The optical control type array antenna device 100d includes a multi-wavelength light source 110, an optical branching unit 170c, an optical frequency conversion unit 190c, an optical modulation unit 120c, a first optical switch 180d, a plurality of optical wavelength dispersion delay units 130c, and a second optical switch 181d. , A light combining unit 171c, an optical wavelength demultiplexing unit 140c, a plurality of photoelectric conversion units 150c, and an array antenna 160.

In the optical control type array antenna device 100d according to the fifth embodiment, the first optical switch 180d and the second optical switch 181d are added to the optical control type array antenna device 100c according to the fourth embodiment, and the optical wavelength is increased. The difference is that a plurality of dispersion delay units 130c are provided.
In the configuration of the optical control type array antenna device 100d according to the fifth embodiment, the same components as those of the optical control type array antenna device 100c according to the fourth embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and duplicated description will be omitted. That is, the description of the configuration of FIG. 5 having the same reference numerals as those shown in FIG. 4 will be omitted.

Hereinafter, the multi-wavelength light source 110 is assumed to output n light waves having different wavelengths from each other as in the multi-wavelength light source 110 according to the fourth embodiment, and the wavelengths of the n light waves output by the multi-wavelength light source 110 are Let each be λ1, λ2, ..., And λn. Further, the difference between λk-1, which is the wavelength of the k-1st light wave, and λk, which is the wavelength of the kth light wave, is defined as Δλ.

The first optical switch 180d receives the multi-modulated light output by the optical modulation unit 120c, connects to a designated optical path from among a plurality of optical paths, and outputs the multi-modulated light to the connected optical path.
Specifically, the first optical switch 180d receives the multi-modulated light output by the optical modulation unit 120c and connects to a designated optical path from among i (i is a natural number of 2 or more) optical paths. , Outputs multi-modulated light to the connected optical path.

Each of the plurality of optical wavelength dispersion delay units 130c gives different group delays to the multi-modulated light output by the first optical switch 180d for each optical path in which the first optical switch 180d outputs the multi-modulated light.
Specifically, the first optical switch 180d receives the multi-modulated light output by the optical modulation unit 120c, connects to a designated optical path from among the i optical paths, and transmits the multi-modulated light to the connected optical path. In the case of output, the optical control type array antenna device 100d includes i optical wavelength dispersion delay units 130c1, 130c2, ..., 130ci. Each of the i optical wavelength dispersion delay units 130c gives different group delays to the multi-modulated light output from the first optical switch 180d. More specifically, any optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130cj (j is an arbitrary natural number of 1 or more and i or less) among i optical wavelength dispersion delay units 130c1, 130c2, ..., 130ci). Delays the input modulated light by Δtj with respect to Δλ.

The second optical switch 181d receives delayed multi-modulated light, which is multi-modulated light after each of the plurality of optical wavelength dispersion delay units 130c gives a group delay, from each of the plurality of optical wavelength dispersion delay units 130c, and a plurality of the second optical switches 181d. A designated delayed multi-modulated light is selected from a plurality of delayed multi-modulated lights received from each of the optical wavelength dispersion delay units 130c, and the selected delayed multi-modulated light is output to the optical combiner unit 171c.

The beam direction of the microwave emitted by the array antenna 160 changes depending on the delay time of each of the plurality of microwaves emitted by the array antenna 160.
Therefore, with the above configuration, the optical control type array antenna device 100d radiates while suppressing the deviation in the beam direction of the microwave radiated from the array antenna 160 or the change in the beam pattern of the microwave. The beam direction of the microwave can be adjusted.

The number of optical paths connected to the first optical switch 180d at the same time is not limited to one. Specifically, the first optical switch 180d receives the multi-modulated light output by the optical modulation unit 120c and is simultaneously connected to a plurality of designated optical paths from among the plurality of optical paths, and the connected plurality of optical paths are connected. The multi-modulated light may be output at the same time. When the first optical switch 180d simultaneously outputs multi-modulated light to a plurality of optical paths, the second optical switch 181d simultaneously selects a plurality of specified delayed multi-modulated lights and selects a plurality of selected delayed multi-modulated lights. It is output to the optical wave unit 171c at the same time.
In this case, the optical combiner unit 171c receives the offset multi-wavelength light output by the optical frequency conversion unit 190c and the plurality of delayed multi-modulated light output by the second optical switch 181d, and receives the offset multi-wavelength light and the plurality of delays. The multi-modulated light is combined, and the offset multi-wavelength light after the combined wave and the plurality of delayed multi-modulated light are output as combined light.
With the above configuration, the optical control type array antenna device 100d emits a plurality of beams of the same microwave toward different directions, and the directions of the respective beams are deviated or the beam pattern is different. Changes can be suppressed.

As described above, the optical control type array antenna device 100d according to the fifth embodiment has a multi-wavelength light source 110 that simultaneously outputs a plurality of light waves having wavelengths at equal wavelength intervals to each other, and a plurality of multi-wavelength light sources 110 that output a plurality of light waves. The light wave is received as multi-wavelength light, and the multi-wavelength light is branched into the first multi-wavelength light and the second multi-wavelength light. For each of the plurality of light waves contained in the second multi-wavelength light, the frequency is collectively offset by the second input microwave, and the second multi-wavelength light after the frequency is offset is output as the offset multi-wavelength light. By receiving the first multi-wavelength light branched by the optical frequency conversion unit 190c and the optical branching unit 170c, each of the plurality of light waves contained in the first multi-wavelength light is collectively modulated by the first input microwave. , The optical modulation unit 120c that outputs the first multi-wavelength light after modulation as multi-modulated light, and the multi-modulated light output by the optical modulation unit 120c for each of the plurality of modulated lights included in the multi-modulated light. The optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130c that gives a group delay to the multi-modulated light by giving a corresponding delay for each modulated light, and the multi-modulated light after the optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130c gives a group delay. In response to the delayed multi-modulated light and the offset multi-wavelength light output by the optical frequency conversion unit 190c, the delayed multi-modulated light and the offset multi-wavelength light are combined, and the delayed multi-modulated light and the offset multi-wavelength light after the combined wave are combined. A plurality of combined light that receives the combined light output by the optical combined light unit 171c that outputs the wavelength light as the combined light and the combined light that is output by the optical combined light unit 171c, and the combined light is different for each wavelength band of the combined light based on the wavelength band of the combined light. The optical wavelength demultiplexing unit 140c that demultiplexes into the optical path and the optical wavelength demultiplexing unit 140c receive the combined light after demultiplexing from each of the plurality of optical paths, and the combined light after demultiplexing for each optical path is the first. Each of the plurality of photoelectric conversion units 150c for converting into a microwave signal having a frequency calculated by the difference or sum of the frequency of the input microwave and the frequency of the second input microwave, and each of the plurality of photoelectric conversion units 150c are photoelectric conversion. It is equipped with an array antenna 160 that receives a plurality of the generated microwave signals and radiates a plurality of microwaves into space.

Further, in the above configuration, the optical control type array antenna device 100d according to the fifth embodiment receives the multi-modulated light output by the optical modulation unit 120c and connects to a designated optical path from among a plurality of optical paths. The first optical switch 180d that outputs multi-modulated light to the connected optical path and the multi-modulated light output by the first optical switch 180d are different from each other for each optical path that the first optical switch 180d outputs multi-modulated light. A plurality of optical wavelength dispersion delay units 130c that are multi-modulated light after each of the plurality of optical wavelength dispersion delay units 130c that give group delay and each of the plurality of optical wavelength dispersion delay units 130c give group delay. Select the specified delayed multi-modulated light from among the plurality of delayed multi-modulated light received from each of the plurality of optical wavelength dispersion delay units 130c, and use the selected delayed multi-modulated light as the optical combiner. A second optical switch 181d that outputs to 171c is provided.

With this configuration, the optical control type array antenna device 100d emits microwaves while suppressing a deviation in the beam direction of the microwaves radiated from the array antenna 160 or a change in the beam pattern of the microwaves. The beam direction of can be adjusted.

Embodiment 6.
The optical control type array antenna device 100e according to the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a main part of the optical control type array antenna device 100e according to the sixth embodiment.
The optical control type array antenna device 100e includes a multi-wavelength light source 110, an optical branching unit 170e, an optical frequency conversion unit 190c, a plurality of optical modulation units 120c, a plurality of optical wavelength dispersion delay units 130c, an optical combiner unit 171e, and an optical wavelength demultiplexing unit. A unit 140c, a plurality of photoelectric conversion units 150c, and an array antenna 160 are provided.

The optical control type array antenna device 100e according to the sixth embodiment has an optical branch portion included in the optical control type array antenna device 100c according to the fourth embodiment with respect to the optical control type array antenna device 100c according to the fourth embodiment. The difference is that the 170c and the optical merging unit 171c are changed into an optical branching unit 170e and an optical merging unit 171e, and a plurality of optical modulation units 120c and a plurality of optical wavelength dispersion delay units 130c are provided.
In the configuration of the optical control type array antenna device 100e according to the sixth embodiment, the same configuration as the optical control type array antenna device 100c according to the fourth embodiment or the optical control type array antenna device 100d according to the fifth embodiment. The same reference numerals are given to the above, and duplicate explanations will be omitted. That is, the description of the configuration of FIG. 6 having the same reference numerals as those shown in FIGS. 4 or 5 will be omitted.

Hereinafter, the multi-wavelength light source 110 is assumed to output n light waves having different wavelengths from each other as in the multi-wavelength light source 110 according to the fourth embodiment, and the wavelengths of the n light waves output by the multi-wavelength light source 110 are Let each be λ1, λ2, ..., And λn. Further, the difference between λk-1, which is the wavelength of the k-1st light wave, and λk, which is the wavelength of the kth light wave, is defined as Δλ.

The optical branching unit 170e receives a plurality of light waves output by the multi-wavelength light source 110 as multi-wavelength light, and splits the multi-wavelength light into a second multi-wavelength light and a plurality of first multi-wavelength light. The optical branching unit 170e outputs the second multi-wavelength light, which is the multi-wavelength light after branching, and the plurality of first multi-wavelength light.
Hereinafter, the optical branching unit 170e receives a plurality of light waves output by the multi-wavelength light source 110 as multi-wavelength light, branches the multi-wavelength light, and separates the second multi-wavelength light and i first multi-wavelength light. It will be described as being output.

Each of the plurality of optical modulation units 120c receives the first multi-wavelength light of one of the plurality of first multi-wavelength light output by the optical branching unit 170e, and receives the first multi-wavelength light of the plurality of light waves included in the first multi-wavelength light. By collectively modulating each of them with the corresponding first input microwaves for each optical modulation unit 120c, the first multi-wavelength light after modulation is output as multi-modulated light.
Specifically, when the optical branching unit 170e branches the multi-wavelength light and outputs the second multi-wavelength light and i first multi-wavelength light, the optical control type array antenna device 100e has i pieces. The optical modulators 120c1, 120c2, ..., 120ci are provided, and each of the i optical modulators 120c1, 120c2, ..., 120ci has a first multi-wavelength input by a first input microwave different from each other. The n light waves contained in the light are collectively modulated.

Each of the plurality of optical wavelength dispersion delay units 130c receives the multi-modulated light output by the corresponding optical modulation unit 120c for each optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130c, and for each of the plurality of modulated lights included in the multi-modulated light. By giving a corresponding delay for each modulated light, a group delay is given to the multi-modulated light.
Specifically, when the optical control type array antenna device 100e includes i optical modulation units 120c1, 120c2, ..., 120ci, the optical control type array antenna device 100e has i optical wavelength dispersion delay units 130c1. , 130c2, ..., 130ci. Each of the i optical wavelength dispersion delay units 130c is different from each other with respect to the multi-modulated light of one of the multi-modulated lights output from each of the i optical modulation units 120c1, 120c2, ..., 120ci. Gives a group delay. More specifically, any of the i optical wavelength dispersion delay units 130c1, 130c2, ..., 130ci, any optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130cj delays the input modulated light by Δtj with respect to Δλ. Let me.

The optical combined wave unit 171e receives the offset multi-wavelength light output by the optical frequency conversion unit 190c and the delayed multi-modulated light which is the multi-modulated light after each of the plurality of optical wavelength dispersion delay units 130c gives a group delay. Then, the offset multi-wavelength light and the plurality of delayed multi-modulated light are combined, and the offset multi-wavelength light after the combined wave and the plurality of delayed multi-modulated light are output as combined light to the optical wavelength demultiplexing unit 140c.

With the above configuration, the optical control type array antenna device 100e does not include a plurality of multi-wavelength light sources 110, and a plurality of light waves having wavelengths at equal wavelength intervals output from one multi-wavelength light source 110. It is possible to emit a plurality of beams having a plurality of microwaves by using the multi-wavelength light. As a result, since the optical control type array antenna device 100e does not need to include a plurality of multi-wavelength light sources 110 when emitting a plurality of beams, the optical control type array antenna device 100e includes a plurality of multi-wavelength light sources 110. Compared with the case, the size of the optical control type array antenna device 100e can be reduced.
Further, with the above configuration, the optical control type array antenna device 100e can radiate a plurality of beams based on each of the plurality of polymodulated lights in different directions from each other.

As described above, the optical control type array antenna device 100e according to the sixth embodiment has a multi-wavelength light source 110 that simultaneously outputs a plurality of light waves having wavelengths at equal wavelength intervals to each other, and a plurality of multi-wavelength light sources 110 that output a plurality of light waves. The light wave is received as multi-wavelength light, and the multi-wavelength light is branched into the first multi-wavelength light and the second multi-wavelength light. For each of the plurality of light waves contained in the second multi-wavelength light, the frequency is collectively offset by the second input microwave, and the second multi-wavelength light after the frequency is offset is output as the offset multi-wavelength light. By receiving the first multi-wavelength light branched by the optical frequency conversion unit 190c and the optical branching unit 170e, each of the plurality of light waves contained in the first multi-wavelength light is collectively modulated by the first input microwave. , The optical modulation unit 120c that outputs the first multi-wavelength light after modulation as multi-modulated light, and the multi-modulated light output by the optical modulation unit 120c for each of the plurality of modulated lights included in the multi-modulated light. The optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130c that gives a group delay to the multi-modulated light by giving a corresponding delay for each modulated light, and the multi-modulated light after the optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130c gives a group delay. In response to the delayed multi-modulated light and the offset multi-wavelength light output by the optical frequency conversion unit 190c, the delayed multi-modulated light and the offset multi-wavelength light are combined, and the delayed multi-modulated light and the offset multi-wavelength light after the combined wave are combined. A plurality of combined light that receives the combined light output by the optical combined light unit 171e that outputs the wavelength light as the combined light and the combined wave light that is output from the optical combined light unit 171e, and the combined light is different for each wavelength band of the combined light based on the wavelength band of the combined light. The optical wavelength demultiplexing unit 140c that demultiplexes into the optical path and the optical wavelength demultiplexing unit 140c receive the combined light after demultiplexing from each of the plurality of optical paths, and the combined light after demultiplexing for each optical path is the first. Each of the plurality of photoelectric conversion units 150c for converting into a microwave signal having a frequency calculated by the difference or sum of the frequency of the input microwave and the frequency of the second input microwave, and each of the plurality of photoelectric conversion units 150c are photoelectric conversion. It is equipped with an array antenna 160 that receives a plurality of the generated microwave signals and radiates a plurality of microwaves into space.

Further, the optical control type array antenna device 100e according to the sixth embodiment includes a plurality of optical modulation units 120c and a plurality of optical wavelength dispersion delay units 130c in the above configuration, and the optical branching unit 170e has many. A plurality of light waves output by the wavelength light source 110 are received as multi-wavelength light and branched into a second multi-wavelength light and a plurality of first multi-wavelength light, and each of the plurality of optical modulation units 120c is an optical branching unit 170e. The first input micro that receives the first multi-wavelength light of one of the plurality of first multi-wavelength light output by, and corresponds to each of the plurality of light waves contained in the first multi-wavering light for each optical modulator 120c. By collectively modulating with waves, the first multi-wavelength light after modulation is output as multi-modulated light, and each of the plurality of optical wavelength dispersion delay units 130c corresponds to each optical wavelength dispersion delay unit 130c. In response to the multi-modulated light output by the unit 120c, a group delay is given to the multi-modulated light by giving a corresponding delay to each of the plurality of modulated lights included in the multi-modulated light for each modulated light. The optical combined wave unit 171e receives the offset multi-wavelength light output by the optical frequency conversion unit 190c and the delayed multi-modulated light which is the multi-modulated light after each of the plurality of optical wavelength dispersion delay units 130c gives a group delay. , The offset multi-wavelength light and the plurality of delayed multi-modulated light received from the plurality of optical wavelength dispersion delay units 130c are combined, and the offset multi-wavelength light after the combined wave and the plurality of delayed multi-modulated light are combined. It was configured to output to the optical wavelength demultiplexing unit 140c.

With this configuration, the optical control type array antenna device 100e suppresses the deviation of the beam direction of the microwave radiated from the array antenna 160 or the change of the microwave beam pattern, and has one multi-wavelength. A plurality of beams having a plurality of microwaves can be emitted by using a multi-wavelength light which is a plurality of light waves having wavelengths at equal wavelength intervals output from the light source 110. As a result, when the optical control type array antenna device 100e emits a plurality of beams, it is not necessary to include the plurality of multi-wavelength light sources 110, so that the microwave beam emitted from the array antenna 160 is displaced or the beam direction is deviated. The size of the optical control type array antenna device 100e should be reduced as compared with the case where the optical control type array antenna device 100e includes a plurality of multi-wavelength light sources 110 while suppressing changes in the microwave beam pattern. Can be done.

In the optical control type array antenna devices 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e according to each embodiment from the third embodiment to the sixth embodiment, the multi-wavelength light source 110 is output at the optical branching portions 170, 170c, 170e. The multi-wavelength light is branched into a plurality of multi-wavelength lights, but the branching ratios of the plurality of multi-wavelength lights after branching in the optical branching portions 170, 170c, 170e do not have to be equal to each other, and the branching ratio is the same. , The microwave output from the array antenna 160 may be arbitrarily set so as to have a predetermined radio wave intensity.

Further, within the scope of the disclosure, the present disclosure allows any combination of embodiments, modification of any component of each embodiment, or omission of any component in each embodiment. ..

Further, within the scope of the disclosure, any component can be added in each embodiment of the present disclosure.
Specifically, for example, the optical control type array antenna devices 100, 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e according to each embodiment from the first embodiment to the sixth embodiment are changed from the array antenna 160 to microwaves. Although the minimum configuration required to radiate the beam based on the light is shown, the optical control type array antenna devices 100, 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e are optical amplifiers and light waves that amplify the intensity of the light waves. An optical attenuator for attenuating the intensity of the microwave signal, an amplifier for amplifying the intensity of the microwave signal, an attenuator for attenuating the intensity of the microwave signal, and the like may be provided in any optical path or transmission path.

When the optical control type array antenna devices 100, 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e include an optical amplifier or an amplifier, the optical control type array antenna devices 100, 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e output from the array antenna 160. The intensity of the generated microwave can be increased. Further, in this case, the optical control type array antenna devices 100, 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e can compensate for the loss in each part, each optical path, or the transmission path from the multi-wavelength light source 110 to the array antenna 160. ..
When the optical control type array antenna device 100, 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e includes an optical amplifier, an optical attenuator, an amplifier, or an attenuator, the optical control type array antenna device 100, 100a, 100b, 100c, The 100d and 100e can adjust the variation in the intensity of a plurality of microwaves radiated from the array antenna 160 caused by the variation in each part due to a manufacturing error or the like.

Further, for example, the optical control type array antenna device 100, 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e uses a delay line for delaying a microwave signal, a phase shifter for changing the phase of a microwave signal, or the like. It may be provided in any transmission path through which the signal is transmitted.

Further, in each of the embodiments from the first embodiment to the sixth embodiment, the optical control type array antenna devices 100, 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, and 100e are described as one device including each part. Each part of the optical control type array antenna device 100, 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e is composed of individual devices, and the optical control type array antenna device 100, 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e is in each part. It may be equipped with a corresponding individual device.
Further, each part included in the optical control type array antenna devices 100, 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e according to each embodiment from the first embodiment to the sixth embodiment is partially integrated by an optical waveguide or the like. It may be configured by the circuit.

The optical control type array antenna device according to the present disclosure can be applied to electronic communication equipment.

100,100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e Optical control type array antenna device, 110 multi-wavelength light source, 120,1201,1202,120i, 120c, 120c1,120c2,120ci Optical modulator, 130,1301,1302,130i, 130c, 130c1,130c2,130ci Optical wavelength dispersion delay unit, 140,140c Optical wavelength demultiplexing unit, 150,1501,1502,150n, 150c Photoelectric conversion unit, 160 array antenna, 1601,1602, ..., 160n antenna element , 170, 170c, 170e optical branching section, 171, 171c, 171e optical combiner section, 180, 180d first optical switch, 181, 181d second optical switch, 190c optical frequency conversion section.

Claims (6)

A multi-wavelength light source that simultaneously outputs multiple light waves with wavelengths equal to each other,
The plurality of light waves output by the multi-wavelength light source are received as multi-wavelength light, and each of the plurality of light waves contained in the multi-wavelength light is collectively modulated by an input microwave, whereby the multi-wavelength after modulation is performed. An optical modulator that outputs wavelength light as multi-modulated light,
By receiving the multi-modulated light output by the optical modulation unit and giving a delay corresponding to each of the plurality of modulated lights contained in the multi-modulated light for each of the modulated lights, the multi-modulated light And the optical wavelength dispersion delay part that gives a group delay,
Upon receiving the delayed multi-modulated light which is the multi-modulated light after the optical wavelength dispersion delay unit gives the group delay, each of the plurality of delayed-modulated lights contained in the delayed multi-modulated light is converted into the delayed-modulated light. An optical wavelength demultiplexer that demultiplexes into multiple optical paths that are different from each other,
A plurality of photoelectric conversion units that receive each of the plurality of delay-modulated light demultiplexed by the optical wavelength demultiplexing unit and convert the delayed-modulated light into a microwave signal for each delay-modulated light.
An array antenna in which each of the plurality of photoelectric conversion units receives a plurality of the microwave signals converted by photoelectric and radiates a plurality of microwaves into space.
An optical control type array antenna device characterized by being equipped with. A first optical switch that receives the multi-modulated light output by the optical modulation unit, connects to a designated optical path from a plurality of optical paths, and outputs the multi-modulated light to the connected optical path.
A plurality of optical wavelength dispersion delay sections that give different group delays to the multi-modulated light output by the first optical switch for each optical path in which the first optical switch outputs the multi-modulated light.
The delayed multi-modulated light, which is the multi-modulated light after each of the plurality of optical wavelength dispersion delay sections is given the group delay, is received from each of the plurality of optical wavelength dispersion delay sections, and the plurality of the optical wavelengths are received. A second delay multi-modulated light selected from the plurality of delayed multi-modulated lights received from each of the distributed delay units and output the selected delayed multi-modulated light to the optical wavelength demultiplexing unit. With an optical switch
1. The optical control type array antenna device according to claim 1. An optical branching portion that receives the plurality of light waves output by the multi-wavelength light source as the multi-wavelength light, branches the multi-wavelength light, and outputs the plurality of the multi-wavelength light.
The plurality of optical modulators and
The plurality of light wavelength dispersion delay sections and
The delayed multi-modulated light, which is the multi-modulated light after each of the plurality of optical wavelength dispersion delay sections is given the group delay, is received from each of the plurality of optical wavelength dispersion delay sections, and the plurality of the optical wavelengths are received. With an optical combiner that combines a plurality of the delayed multi-modulated lights received from the dispersion delay unit and outputs the plurality of the delayed multi-modulated lights after the combined waves to the optical wavelength demultiplexing unit as the delayed multi-modulated light. ,
Equipped with
Each of the plurality of optical modulation units receives the multi-wavelength light of one of the plurality of multi-wavelength light output by the optical branching unit, and receives each of the plurality of light waves included in the multi-wavelength light. By collectively modulating each optical modulation unit with the corresponding input microwave, the modulated multi-wavelength light is output as the multi-modulated light.
Each of the plurality of optical wavelength dispersion delay units receives the multi-modulated light output by the optical modulation unit corresponding to each of the optical wavelength dispersion delay units, and receives the multi-modulated light of the plurality of modulated lights included in the multi-modulated light. The optical control type array antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the group delay is given to the multi-modulated light by giving the delay corresponding to each of the modulated lights. A multi-wavelength light source that simultaneously outputs multiple light waves with wavelengths equal to each other,
An optical branching portion that receives the plurality of light waves output by the multi-wavelength light source as multi-wavelength light and branches the multi-wavelength light into first multi-wavelength light and second multi-wavelength light.
In response to the second multi-wavelength light branched by the optical branching portion, the frequency of each of the plurality of light waves contained in the second multi-wavelength light is collectively offset by the second input microwave to obtain a frequency. And an optical frequency conversion unit that outputs the second multi-wavelength light after offsetting as offset multi-wavelength light.
After receiving the first multi-wavelength light branched by the optical branching portion, each of the plurality of the light waves contained in the first multi-wavelength light is collectively modulated by the first input microwave, thereby performing post-modulation. An optical modulation unit that outputs the first multi-wavelength light as multi-modulated light,
By receiving the multi-modulated light output by the optical modulation unit and giving a delay corresponding to each of the plurality of modulated lights contained in the multi-modulated light for each of the modulated lights, the multi-modulated light And the optical wavelength dispersion delay part that gives a group delay,
The delayed multi-modulated light is received from the delayed multi-modulated light, which is the multi-modulated light after the optical wavelength dispersion delay unit gives the group delay, and the offset multi-wavelength light output by the optical frequency conversion unit. And the offset multi-wavelength light are combined, and the delayed multi-modulated light after the combined wave and the offset multi-wavelength light are output as combined light.
An optical wavelength demultiplexing that receives the combined light output by the optical combined unit and divides the combined light into a plurality of different optical paths for each of the wavelength bands of the combined light based on the wavelength band of the combined light. Department and
The optical wavelength demultiplexing unit receives the demultiplexed combined light from each of the plurality of optical paths, and the combined wave light after demultiplexing for each optical path is the frequency of the first input microwave and the second input microwave. A plurality of photoelectric conversion units that convert into a microwave signal having a frequency calculated by the difference or sum with the frequency of the wave, and
An array antenna in which each of the plurality of photoelectric conversion units receives a plurality of the microwave signals converted by photoelectric and radiates a plurality of microwaves into space.
An optical control type array antenna device characterized by being equipped with. A first optical switch that receives the multi-modulated light output by the optical modulation unit, connects to a designated optical path from a plurality of optical paths, and outputs the multi-modulated light to the connected optical path.
A plurality of optical wavelength dispersion delay sections that give different group delays to the multi-modulated light output by the first optical switch for each optical path in which the first optical switch outputs the multi-modulated light.
The delayed multi-modulated light, which is the multi-modulated light after each of the plurality of optical wavelength dispersion delay sections is given the group delay, is received from each of the plurality of optical wavelength dispersion delay sections, and the plurality of the optical wavelengths are received. A second optical switch that selects the specified delayed multi-modulated light from the plurality of delayed multi-modulated lights received from each of the distributed delay units and outputs the selected delayed multi-modulated light to the optical combiner. When,
4. The optical control type array antenna device according to claim 4. The plurality of optical modulators and
The plurality of light wavelength dispersion delay sections and
Equipped with
The optical branching portion receives a plurality of the light waves output by the multi-wavelength light source as the multi-wavelength light, and branches into the second multi-wavelength light and the plurality of first multi-wavelength light.
Each of the plurality of optical modulation units receives the first multi-wavelength light of one of the plurality of first multi-wavelength light output by the optical branching unit, and is included in the first multi-wavelength light. By collectively modulating each of the light waves of the above by the first input microwave corresponding to each of the light modulation units, the first multi-wavelength light after modulation is output as the multi-modulated light.
Each of the plurality of optical wavelength dispersion delay units receives the multi-modulated light output by the optical modulation unit corresponding to each of the optical wavelength dispersion delay units, and receives the multi-modulated light of the plurality of modulated lights included in the multi-modulated light. By giving the corresponding delay for each of the modulated lights, the group delay is given to the multi-modulated light.
The optical combined wave unit is the delay multi-modulation, which is the offset multi-wavelength light output by the optical frequency conversion unit and the multi-modulated light after each of the plurality of optical wavelength dispersion delay units gives the group delay. Upon receiving the light, the offset multi-wavelength light and the plurality of the delayed multi-modulated light received from the plurality of the optical wavelength dispersion delay units are combined to combine the offset multi-wavelength light after the combined wave and the plurality of the above-mentioned. The optical control type array antenna device according to claim 4, wherein the delayed multi-modulated light is output as the combined light to the optical wavelength demultiplexing unit.

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