Wideband Electromagnetic Pulse to Optical Pulse Train Convertor

Ultrawideband radar with short duration pulses (10 ps-10 ns) is a candidate for new sensor systems. This approach may provide improved capabilities for target detection and identification through examination of target resonance characteristics. Detection and processing of short duration, ultrawideband pulses that have random time intervals between pulses require new approaches to receiver design. Analog-to-digital conversion of ultrawideband signals for processing of resonance features is a major challenge for the development of this technology. TACAN Corporation proposes a new approach that converts single electromagnetic pulses into optical pulse trains that preserve the signal waveform for analog-to-digital conversion and facilitates signal processing. This approach uses a fiber-optic-coupled antenna and other fiber-optic components to build a circulating delay line and repeater, and allows analog-to-conversion for accurately recording the short duration return waveform. Applications include military sensors, remote inspection of structures, environmental sensing, and geophysical surveying.