Photonic-Assisted SBS Frequency & AoA Measurement | #WorldResearchAwards #Photonics

Introduction

The advancement of modern radar and electronic warfare systems increasingly depends on the ability to detect, analyze, and interpret microwave signals with high precision. Traditional electronic measurement techniques face limitations in bandwidth, real-time performance, and interference tolerance, prompting the exploration of photonic-based solutions. The discussed research introduces a novel scheme utilizing stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) for simultaneous detection of frequency and angle-of-arrival (AOA) of microwave signals. By converting spatial information into optical domain interference and mapping spectral features through frequency-to-time transformation, the architecture achieves multidimensional parameter extraction in real time. This work highlights the significance of photonic sensing as a pathway to high-speed, wide-band, and highly accurate microwave measurement technologies.

Photonic-Based Multidimensional Microwave Sensing

This study proposes a hybrid optical-RF sensing architecture capable of simultaneously capturing temporal, spatial, and frequency characteristics of microwave signals, overcoming constraints commonly observed in purely electronic systems. The integration of stimulated Brillouin scattering with dual-drive Mach–Zehnder modulation enhances resolution, sensitivity, and immunity to electromagnetic interference. Through photonic design, phase disparity between signals received by adjacent antennas can be extracted and translated into measurable pulse parameters, enabling full multidimensional microwave characterization. Such a platform demonstrates strong potential for future long-range detection, multi-target tracking, and adaptive signal intelligence in defense technologies.

SBS-Enhanced Frequency Measurement and Mapping

Stimulated Brillouin scattering plays a central role in the frequency extraction mechanism of the system. By generating and filtering optical sidebands through SBS gain scanning, RF frequency information is converted into a time-domain representation using frequency-to-time mapping (FTTM). This enables real-time recognition of single and multiple unknown microwave signals within a broad bandwidth range of 5–15 GHz. The ±5 MHz measurement error recorded in experiments demonstrates the applicability of this technique for high-accuracy and high-resolution microwave spectral analysis. Furthermore, modifying the pump-laser drive allows dynamic tuning of the detection window, granting versatility for multi-band surveillance operations.

Angle-of-Arrival (AOA) Extraction Through Optical Interference

The optical interference process within the DDMZM enables phase differences between received signals to be converted into measurable amplitude variations in optical sidebands. By detecting and normalizing the output pulse amplitudes, the technique accurately estimates arrival angles within −70° to 70°, with an angular error margin of ±2°. Compared to conventional AOA measurement methods, this photonic approach offers wider spatial coverage and reduced hardware complexity, while preserving signal integrity in noisy environments. Such precision is especially critical in real-time battlefield monitoring and radar-based tracking systems.

Performance Validation and Experimental Outcomes

Experimental results verify that the proposed architecture demonstrates stable and reliable extraction of frequency and AOA parameters even under multi-tone microwave conditions. The method simultaneously distinguishes multiple RF inputs without requiring sequential scanning or additional processing layers, showcasing real-time performance suitable for fast-moving targets. The system’s ability to maintain low error margins across a wide dynamic range confirms its suitability for practical deployment in secure communication, satellite monitoring, and strategic surveillance applications.

Future Research Opportunities and System Extensions

The adaptability of the SBS-based photonic measurement platform opens numerous pathways for future development. Integration with advanced photonic integrated circuits (PICs) could lead to miniaturized modules for portable field applications. Improvements in modulation depth, laser stability, and SBS linewidth optimization may increase measurement range and resolution beyond current GHz-level capabilities. Machine-learning-assisted pulse decoding could enhance multi-signal recognition performance further, strengthening its role in next-generation radar networks, autonomous sensing platforms, and intelligent warfare technologies.

 Global Particle Physics Excellence Awards


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#WorldResearchAwards, #MicrowaveMeasurement, #PhotonicSensing, #StimulatedBrillouinScattering, #AOAEstimation, #RFSignalAnalysis, #FrequencyToTimeMapping, #PhotonicRadarSystems, #ElectronicWarfareTechnology, #RadarInnovation, #DDMZMModulator, #OpticalInterference, #HighBandwidthDetection, #MultiSignalProcessing, #RealTimeSensing, #OptoelectronicMeasurement, #WidebandRF, #SignalIntelligence, #AdvancedPhotonics, #ResearchInnovation,

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