A tunable Si3N4 integrated true time delay circuit for optically-controlled K-band radio beamformer in satellite communication

In this paper we present the design, realization, and experimental characterization of a photonic integrated true time delay circuit on a CMOS-compatible Si3N4 platform. The true time delay circuit consists of an optical side band filter for single side band modulation and an optical ring resonator for broadband time delay. Two methods of optical delay tuning are investigated: 1) optical wavelength and 2) thermo-optic delay tuning. The wavelength controlled tuning enables a large delay tuning range and can be done remotely from a distant location. The close to a linear phase measurements can be used for full beam-scanning of radio signals with frequencies in the 20 GHz band. The thermal control results in a 5 GHz RF delay bandwidth. A proof-of-concept 2 × 1 beamforming is demonstrated in the 20 GHz band. The design presented here can be employed to realize multi-beams for multi-users serviced by multiple satellites