The Experts below are selected from a list of 11673 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform

Filippo Scotti - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • multi frequency lidar Radar integrated system for robust and flexible doppler measurements
    IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 2015
    Co-Authors: Filippo Scotti, Mirco Scaffardi, Daniel Onori, Antonella Bogoni, Emma Lazzeri, Francesco Laghezza
    Abstract:

    A new architecture for an integrated fully Coherent Radar–lidar system based on a single mode-locked laser is proposed and demonstrated. The lidar exploits a multi-frequency optical signal with tunable tones separation allowing a dynamic tradeoff among robustness and sensitivity of measurements. The Radar that is based on photonics technologies employs the mode-locked laser for generating the radio frequency signals in the X-band and Ku-band, simultaneously with the lidar. Velocity measurements for different tones separation are demonstrated with good agreement among the values measured with the lidar and Radar.

  • frequency agile dual frequency lidar for integrated Coherent Radar lidar architectures
    Optics Letters, 2015
    Co-Authors: Valeria Vercesi, Francesco Laghezza, Filippo Scotti, Daniel Onori, Antonella Bogoni, Mirco Scaffardi
    Abstract:

    We propose a novel architecture for implementing a dual-frequency lidar (DFL) exploiting differential Doppler shift measurement. The two frequency tones, needed for target velocity measurements, are selected from the spectrum of a mode-locked laser operating in the C-band. The tones’ separation is easily controlled by using a programmable wavelength selective switch, thus allowing for a dynamic trade-off among robustness to atmospheric turbulence and sensitivity. Speed measurements for different tone separations equal to 10, 40, 80, and 160 GHz are demonstrated, proving the system’s capability of working in different configurations. Thanks to the acquisition system based on an analog-to-digital converter and digital-signal processing, real-time velocity measurements are demonstrated. The MLL-based proposed architecture enables the integration of the DFL with a photonic-based Radar that exploits the same laser for generating and receiving radio-frequency signal with high performance, thus allowing for simultaneous or complementary target observations by exploiting the advantages of both Radar and lidar.

  • multi band software defined Coherent Radar based on a single photonic transceiver
    IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 2015
    Co-Authors: Filippo Scotti, Francesco Laghezza, Paolo Ghelfi, Antonella Bogoni
    Abstract:

    In this paper, a photonics-based architecture of a multi-band Coherent Radar system is proposed and validated. The precision and flexibility of photonic technologies are exploited for generating and detecting simultaneously multiple Radar signals in an extremely wide frequency range. Moreover, the fully digital approach enables the software-defined radio paradigm, allowing the flexible use of several advanced Radar techniques such as waveform diversity or frequency hopping. The proposed architecture is therefore promising for future Radar systems that need to adapt to different scenarios for improved situation awareness. The proposed system exploits a single laser unit for the multiband transmitter and receiver sections, reducing the architectural complexity with potential benefits on system dimensions, cost, and reliability. This paper details the principle of operation of the proposed multi-band Coherent Radar system, and describes the implementation of a proof-of-concept dual-band transceiver operating in the X- and S-bands simultaneously and independently. The results from the characterization of the transceiver are presented. The system validation through the Coherent detection of moving targets confirms the suitability of the proposed solution, laying the basis for a new paradigm of Radar systems.

  • in field experiments of the first photonics based software defined Coherent Radar
    Journal of Lightwave Technology, 2014
    Co-Authors: Filippo Scotti, Francesco Laghezza, Paolo Ghelfi, Giovanni Serafino, Daniel Onori, Sergio Pinna, Antonella Bogoni
    Abstract:

    The complete scheme of the first photonics-based fully digital Coherent Radar system demonstrator is presented. The proposed architecture relies on a novel flexible photonic transceiver, based on the software-defined radio paradigm, capable of generating and receiving signals with arbitrary waveform and carrier frequency. The system core is a single mode-locked laser, whose inherent phase and amplitude stability allows generating high-quality carriers over an extremely broad frequency range, as well as directly digitizing high-frequency signals with unprecedented precision. The implementation of the field trial demonstrator is presented in detail, focusing on both the photonic transceiver and the antenna's front-end, as well as on the employed digital signal processing. The excellent performance is proved by the results of the in-field experiments carried out with noncooperative targets in real scenarios. The outcomes from the aerial and naval target detections are here presented and discussed.

  • a fully photonics based Coherent Radar system
    Nature, 2014
    Co-Authors: Paolo Ghelfi, Francesco Laghezza, Claudio Porzi, Mirco Scaffardi, Amerigo Capria, Filippo Scotti, Giovanni Serafino, Daniel Onori, Sergio Pinna, Antonio Malacarne
    Abstract:

    The next generation of Radar systems must be photonic to obtain frequency flexibility and improved performance; here both generation and detection of radio signals are demonstrated in a successful field trial of a photonic-based Radar system using aeroplanes. The next generation of Radar systems will need to be highly automated and use software-defined signal generation and detection for flexible operation in surveillance and wireless communication applications. However, the necessary analogue-to-digital conversion poses serious technical limits for conventional microwave electronic components. That makes photonic Radar an attractive option, well suited to digital operation. Until now photonics-based generation and detection of radio signals have generally been studied separately. Here Paolo Ghelfi et al. combine the individual components to produce a functioning, complete photonic Radar system. The system's effectiveness and precision are demonstrated in a field trial involving the detection of passing aircraft. The next generation of Radar (radio detection and ranging) systems needs to be based on software-defined radio to adapt to variable environments, with higher carrier frequencies for smaller antennas and broadened bandwidth for increased resolution1,2,3,4. Today’s digital microwave components (synthesizers and analogue-to-digital converters) suffer from limited bandwidth with high noise at increasing frequencies5,6,7, so that fully digital Radar systems can work up to only a few gigahertz, and noisy analogue up- and downconversions are necessary for higher frequencies. In contrast, photonics provide high precision and ultrawide bandwidth8,9, allowing both the flexible generation of extremely stable radio-frequency signals with arbitrary waveforms up to millimetre waves10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22, and the detection of such signals and their precise direct digitization without downconversion23,24,25,26. Until now, the photonics-based generation and detection of radio-frequency signals have been studied separately and have not been tested in a Radar system. Here we present the development and the field trial results of a fully photonics-based Coherent Radar demonstrator carried out within the project PHODIR27. The proposed architecture exploits a single pulsed laser for generating tunable Radar signals and receiving their echoes, avoiding radio-frequency up- and downconversion and guaranteeing both the software-defined approach and high resolution. Its performance exceeds state-of-the-art electronics at carrier frequencies above two gigahertz, and the detection of non-cooperating aeroplanes confirms the effectiveness and expected precision of the system.

Paolo Ghelfi - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • multi band software defined Coherent Radar based on a single photonic transceiver
    IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 2015
    Co-Authors: Filippo Scotti, Francesco Laghezza, Paolo Ghelfi, Antonella Bogoni
    Abstract:

    In this paper, a photonics-based architecture of a multi-band Coherent Radar system is proposed and validated. The precision and flexibility of photonic technologies are exploited for generating and detecting simultaneously multiple Radar signals in an extremely wide frequency range. Moreover, the fully digital approach enables the software-defined radio paradigm, allowing the flexible use of several advanced Radar techniques such as waveform diversity or frequency hopping. The proposed architecture is therefore promising for future Radar systems that need to adapt to different scenarios for improved situation awareness. The proposed system exploits a single laser unit for the multiband transmitter and receiver sections, reducing the architectural complexity with potential benefits on system dimensions, cost, and reliability. This paper details the principle of operation of the proposed multi-band Coherent Radar system, and describes the implementation of a proof-of-concept dual-band transceiver operating in the X- and S-bands simultaneously and independently. The results from the characterization of the transceiver are presented. The system validation through the Coherent detection of moving targets confirms the suitability of the proposed solution, laying the basis for a new paradigm of Radar systems.

  • in field experiments of the first photonics based software defined Coherent Radar
    Journal of Lightwave Technology, 2014
    Co-Authors: Filippo Scotti, Francesco Laghezza, Paolo Ghelfi, Giovanni Serafino, Daniel Onori, Sergio Pinna, Antonella Bogoni
    Abstract:

    The complete scheme of the first photonics-based fully digital Coherent Radar system demonstrator is presented. The proposed architecture relies on a novel flexible photonic transceiver, based on the software-defined radio paradigm, capable of generating and receiving signals with arbitrary waveform and carrier frequency. The system core is a single mode-locked laser, whose inherent phase and amplitude stability allows generating high-quality carriers over an extremely broad frequency range, as well as directly digitizing high-frequency signals with unprecedented precision. The implementation of the field trial demonstrator is presented in detail, focusing on both the photonic transceiver and the antenna's front-end, as well as on the employed digital signal processing. The excellent performance is proved by the results of the in-field experiments carried out with noncooperative targets in real scenarios. The outcomes from the aerial and naval target detections are here presented and discussed.

  • a fully photonics based Coherent Radar system
    Nature, 2014
    Co-Authors: Paolo Ghelfi, Francesco Laghezza, Claudio Porzi, Mirco Scaffardi, Amerigo Capria, Filippo Scotti, Giovanni Serafino, Daniel Onori, Sergio Pinna, Antonio Malacarne
    Abstract:

    The next generation of Radar systems must be photonic to obtain frequency flexibility and improved performance; here both generation and detection of radio signals are demonstrated in a successful field trial of a photonic-based Radar system using aeroplanes. The next generation of Radar systems will need to be highly automated and use software-defined signal generation and detection for flexible operation in surveillance and wireless communication applications. However, the necessary analogue-to-digital conversion poses serious technical limits for conventional microwave electronic components. That makes photonic Radar an attractive option, well suited to digital operation. Until now photonics-based generation and detection of radio signals have generally been studied separately. Here Paolo Ghelfi et al. combine the individual components to produce a functioning, complete photonic Radar system. The system's effectiveness and precision are demonstrated in a field trial involving the detection of passing aircraft. The next generation of Radar (radio detection and ranging) systems needs to be based on software-defined radio to adapt to variable environments, with higher carrier frequencies for smaller antennas and broadened bandwidth for increased resolution1,2,3,4. Today’s digital microwave components (synthesizers and analogue-to-digital converters) suffer from limited bandwidth with high noise at increasing frequencies5,6,7, so that fully digital Radar systems can work up to only a few gigahertz, and noisy analogue up- and downconversions are necessary for higher frequencies. In contrast, photonics provide high precision and ultrawide bandwidth8,9, allowing both the flexible generation of extremely stable radio-frequency signals with arbitrary waveforms up to millimetre waves10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22, and the detection of such signals and their precise direct digitization without downconversion23,24,25,26. Until now, the photonics-based generation and detection of radio-frequency signals have been studied separately and have not been tested in a Radar system. Here we present the development and the field trial results of a fully photonics-based Coherent Radar demonstrator carried out within the project PHODIR27. The proposed architecture exploits a single pulsed laser for generating tunable Radar signals and receiving their echoes, avoiding radio-frequency up- and downconversion and guaranteeing both the software-defined approach and high resolution. Its performance exceeds state-of-the-art electronics at carrier frequencies above two gigahertz, and the detection of non-cooperating aeroplanes confirms the effectiveness and expected precision of the system.

  • a fully photonics based Coherent Radar system
    Nature, 2014
    Co-Authors: Paolo Ghelfi, Francesco Laghezza, Claudio Porzi, Mirco Scaffardi, Amerigo Capria, Filippo Scotti, Giovanni Serafino, Daniel Onori, Sergio Pinna, Antonio Malacarne
    Abstract:

    The next generation of Radar systems must be photonic to obtain frequency flexibility and improved performance; here both generation and detection of radio signals are demonstrated in a successful field trial of a photonic-based Radar system using aeroplanes.

  • A fully photonics-based Coherent Radar system
    Nature, 2014
    Co-Authors: Paolo Ghelfi, Francesco Laghezza, Claudio Porzi, Mirco Scaffardi, Amerigo Capria, Filippo Scotti, Giovanni Serafino, Daniel Onori, Sergio Pinna, Antonio Malacarne
    Abstract:

    The next generation of Radar (radio detection and ranging) systems needs to be based on software-defined radio to adapt to variable environments, with higher carrier frequencies for smaller antennas and broadened bandwidth for increased resolution. Today's digital microwave components (synthesizers and analogue-to-digital converters) suffer from limited bandwidth with high noise at increasing frequencies, so that fully digital Radar systems can work up to only a few gigahertz, and noisy analogue up- and downconversions are necessary for higher frequencies. In contrast, photonics provide high precision and ultrawide bandwidth, allowing both the flexible generation of extremely stable radio-frequency signals with arbitrary waveforms up to millimetre waves, and the detection of such signals and their precise direct digitization without downconversion. Until now, the photonics-based generation and detection of radio-frequency signals have been studied separately and have not been tested in a Radar system. Here we present the development and the field trial results of a fully photonics-based Coherent Radar demonstrator carried out within the project PHODIR. The proposed architecture exploits a single pulsed laser for generating tunable Radar signals and receiving their echoes, avoiding radio-frequency up- and downconversion and guaranteeing both the software-defined approach and high resolution. Its performance exceeds state-of-the-art electronics at carrier frequencies above two gigahertz, and the detection of non-cooperating aeroplanes confirms the effectiveness and expected precision of the system.

Francesco Laghezza - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • multi frequency lidar Radar integrated system for robust and flexible doppler measurements
    IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 2015
    Co-Authors: Filippo Scotti, Mirco Scaffardi, Daniel Onori, Antonella Bogoni, Emma Lazzeri, Francesco Laghezza
    Abstract:

    A new architecture for an integrated fully Coherent Radar–lidar system based on a single mode-locked laser is proposed and demonstrated. The lidar exploits a multi-frequency optical signal with tunable tones separation allowing a dynamic tradeoff among robustness and sensitivity of measurements. The Radar that is based on photonics technologies employs the mode-locked laser for generating the radio frequency signals in the X-band and Ku-band, simultaneously with the lidar. Velocity measurements for different tones separation are demonstrated with good agreement among the values measured with the lidar and Radar.

  • frequency agile dual frequency lidar for integrated Coherent Radar lidar architectures
    Optics Letters, 2015
    Co-Authors: Valeria Vercesi, Francesco Laghezza, Filippo Scotti, Daniel Onori, Antonella Bogoni, Mirco Scaffardi
    Abstract:

    We propose a novel architecture for implementing a dual-frequency lidar (DFL) exploiting differential Doppler shift measurement. The two frequency tones, needed for target velocity measurements, are selected from the spectrum of a mode-locked laser operating in the C-band. The tones’ separation is easily controlled by using a programmable wavelength selective switch, thus allowing for a dynamic trade-off among robustness to atmospheric turbulence and sensitivity. Speed measurements for different tone separations equal to 10, 40, 80, and 160 GHz are demonstrated, proving the system’s capability of working in different configurations. Thanks to the acquisition system based on an analog-to-digital converter and digital-signal processing, real-time velocity measurements are demonstrated. The MLL-based proposed architecture enables the integration of the DFL with a photonic-based Radar that exploits the same laser for generating and receiving radio-frequency signal with high performance, thus allowing for simultaneous or complementary target observations by exploiting the advantages of both Radar and lidar.

  • multi band software defined Coherent Radar based on a single photonic transceiver
    IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 2015
    Co-Authors: Filippo Scotti, Francesco Laghezza, Paolo Ghelfi, Antonella Bogoni
    Abstract:

    In this paper, a photonics-based architecture of a multi-band Coherent Radar system is proposed and validated. The precision and flexibility of photonic technologies are exploited for generating and detecting simultaneously multiple Radar signals in an extremely wide frequency range. Moreover, the fully digital approach enables the software-defined radio paradigm, allowing the flexible use of several advanced Radar techniques such as waveform diversity or frequency hopping. The proposed architecture is therefore promising for future Radar systems that need to adapt to different scenarios for improved situation awareness. The proposed system exploits a single laser unit for the multiband transmitter and receiver sections, reducing the architectural complexity with potential benefits on system dimensions, cost, and reliability. This paper details the principle of operation of the proposed multi-band Coherent Radar system, and describes the implementation of a proof-of-concept dual-band transceiver operating in the X- and S-bands simultaneously and independently. The results from the characterization of the transceiver are presented. The system validation through the Coherent detection of moving targets confirms the suitability of the proposed solution, laying the basis for a new paradigm of Radar systems.

  • in field experiments of the first photonics based software defined Coherent Radar
    Journal of Lightwave Technology, 2014
    Co-Authors: Filippo Scotti, Francesco Laghezza, Paolo Ghelfi, Giovanni Serafino, Daniel Onori, Sergio Pinna, Antonella Bogoni
    Abstract:

    The complete scheme of the first photonics-based fully digital Coherent Radar system demonstrator is presented. The proposed architecture relies on a novel flexible photonic transceiver, based on the software-defined radio paradigm, capable of generating and receiving signals with arbitrary waveform and carrier frequency. The system core is a single mode-locked laser, whose inherent phase and amplitude stability allows generating high-quality carriers over an extremely broad frequency range, as well as directly digitizing high-frequency signals with unprecedented precision. The implementation of the field trial demonstrator is presented in detail, focusing on both the photonic transceiver and the antenna's front-end, as well as on the employed digital signal processing. The excellent performance is proved by the results of the in-field experiments carried out with noncooperative targets in real scenarios. The outcomes from the aerial and naval target detections are here presented and discussed.

  • a fully photonics based Coherent Radar system
    Nature, 2014
    Co-Authors: Paolo Ghelfi, Francesco Laghezza, Claudio Porzi, Mirco Scaffardi, Amerigo Capria, Filippo Scotti, Giovanni Serafino, Daniel Onori, Sergio Pinna, Antonio Malacarne
    Abstract:

    The next generation of Radar systems must be photonic to obtain frequency flexibility and improved performance; here both generation and detection of radio signals are demonstrated in a successful field trial of a photonic-based Radar system using aeroplanes. The next generation of Radar systems will need to be highly automated and use software-defined signal generation and detection for flexible operation in surveillance and wireless communication applications. However, the necessary analogue-to-digital conversion poses serious technical limits for conventional microwave electronic components. That makes photonic Radar an attractive option, well suited to digital operation. Until now photonics-based generation and detection of radio signals have generally been studied separately. Here Paolo Ghelfi et al. combine the individual components to produce a functioning, complete photonic Radar system. The system's effectiveness and precision are demonstrated in a field trial involving the detection of passing aircraft. The next generation of Radar (radio detection and ranging) systems needs to be based on software-defined radio to adapt to variable environments, with higher carrier frequencies for smaller antennas and broadened bandwidth for increased resolution1,2,3,4. Today’s digital microwave components (synthesizers and analogue-to-digital converters) suffer from limited bandwidth with high noise at increasing frequencies5,6,7, so that fully digital Radar systems can work up to only a few gigahertz, and noisy analogue up- and downconversions are necessary for higher frequencies. In contrast, photonics provide high precision and ultrawide bandwidth8,9, allowing both the flexible generation of extremely stable radio-frequency signals with arbitrary waveforms up to millimetre waves10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22, and the detection of such signals and their precise direct digitization without downconversion23,24,25,26. Until now, the photonics-based generation and detection of radio-frequency signals have been studied separately and have not been tested in a Radar system. Here we present the development and the field trial results of a fully photonics-based Coherent Radar demonstrator carried out within the project PHODIR27. The proposed architecture exploits a single pulsed laser for generating tunable Radar signals and receiving their echoes, avoiding radio-frequency up- and downconversion and guaranteeing both the software-defined approach and high resolution. Its performance exceeds state-of-the-art electronics at carrier frequencies above two gigahertz, and the detection of non-cooperating aeroplanes confirms the effectiveness and expected precision of the system.

Antonella Bogoni - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • multi frequency lidar Radar integrated system for robust and flexible doppler measurements
    IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 2015
    Co-Authors: Filippo Scotti, Mirco Scaffardi, Daniel Onori, Antonella Bogoni, Emma Lazzeri, Francesco Laghezza
    Abstract:

    A new architecture for an integrated fully Coherent Radar–lidar system based on a single mode-locked laser is proposed and demonstrated. The lidar exploits a multi-frequency optical signal with tunable tones separation allowing a dynamic tradeoff among robustness and sensitivity of measurements. The Radar that is based on photonics technologies employs the mode-locked laser for generating the radio frequency signals in the X-band and Ku-band, simultaneously with the lidar. Velocity measurements for different tones separation are demonstrated with good agreement among the values measured with the lidar and Radar.

  • frequency agile dual frequency lidar for integrated Coherent Radar lidar architectures
    Optics Letters, 2015
    Co-Authors: Valeria Vercesi, Francesco Laghezza, Filippo Scotti, Daniel Onori, Antonella Bogoni, Mirco Scaffardi
    Abstract:

    We propose a novel architecture for implementing a dual-frequency lidar (DFL) exploiting differential Doppler shift measurement. The two frequency tones, needed for target velocity measurements, are selected from the spectrum of a mode-locked laser operating in the C-band. The tones’ separation is easily controlled by using a programmable wavelength selective switch, thus allowing for a dynamic trade-off among robustness to atmospheric turbulence and sensitivity. Speed measurements for different tone separations equal to 10, 40, 80, and 160 GHz are demonstrated, proving the system’s capability of working in different configurations. Thanks to the acquisition system based on an analog-to-digital converter and digital-signal processing, real-time velocity measurements are demonstrated. The MLL-based proposed architecture enables the integration of the DFL with a photonic-based Radar that exploits the same laser for generating and receiving radio-frequency signal with high performance, thus allowing for simultaneous or complementary target observations by exploiting the advantages of both Radar and lidar.

  • multi band software defined Coherent Radar based on a single photonic transceiver
    IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 2015
    Co-Authors: Filippo Scotti, Francesco Laghezza, Paolo Ghelfi, Antonella Bogoni
    Abstract:

    In this paper, a photonics-based architecture of a multi-band Coherent Radar system is proposed and validated. The precision and flexibility of photonic technologies are exploited for generating and detecting simultaneously multiple Radar signals in an extremely wide frequency range. Moreover, the fully digital approach enables the software-defined radio paradigm, allowing the flexible use of several advanced Radar techniques such as waveform diversity or frequency hopping. The proposed architecture is therefore promising for future Radar systems that need to adapt to different scenarios for improved situation awareness. The proposed system exploits a single laser unit for the multiband transmitter and receiver sections, reducing the architectural complexity with potential benefits on system dimensions, cost, and reliability. This paper details the principle of operation of the proposed multi-band Coherent Radar system, and describes the implementation of a proof-of-concept dual-band transceiver operating in the X- and S-bands simultaneously and independently. The results from the characterization of the transceiver are presented. The system validation through the Coherent detection of moving targets confirms the suitability of the proposed solution, laying the basis for a new paradigm of Radar systems.

  • in field experiments of the first photonics based software defined Coherent Radar
    Journal of Lightwave Technology, 2014
    Co-Authors: Filippo Scotti, Francesco Laghezza, Paolo Ghelfi, Giovanni Serafino, Daniel Onori, Sergio Pinna, Antonella Bogoni
    Abstract:

    The complete scheme of the first photonics-based fully digital Coherent Radar system demonstrator is presented. The proposed architecture relies on a novel flexible photonic transceiver, based on the software-defined radio paradigm, capable of generating and receiving signals with arbitrary waveform and carrier frequency. The system core is a single mode-locked laser, whose inherent phase and amplitude stability allows generating high-quality carriers over an extremely broad frequency range, as well as directly digitizing high-frequency signals with unprecedented precision. The implementation of the field trial demonstrator is presented in detail, focusing on both the photonic transceiver and the antenna's front-end, as well as on the employed digital signal processing. The excellent performance is proved by the results of the in-field experiments carried out with noncooperative targets in real scenarios. The outcomes from the aerial and naval target detections are here presented and discussed.

  • phase coding of rf pulses in photonics aided frequency agile Coherent Radar systems
    IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics, 2012
    Co-Authors: Paolo Ghelfi, Francesco Laghezza, Filippo Scotti, Antonella Bogoni
    Abstract:

    An innovative optical scheme to generate software-defined phase-modulated radio frequency (RF) pulses with carrier frequency agility from a mode-locked laser (MLL) is proposed. The technique exploits a direct digital synthesizer and a Mach-Zehnder modulator to apply an intermediate frequency modulation to the MLL's modes. The heterodyne detection of the optical signal allows the generation of amplitude- and phase-modulated RF carriers with very high phase stability, suitable for Coherent Radar applications. Further, a single MLL can be used to generate carriers simultaneously at different frequencies, enabling frequency hopping or multifunctional Radars, with no need to increase the complexity of the transmitter. Results show chirped and Barker-coded pulses at around 10 or 40 GHz in a single setup, without any performance degradation while increasing the carrier frequency. The proposed technique allows the practical realization of compressed pulses for Coherent Radars over a wide carrier frequency range, allowing the development of software-defined Radar systems with improved functionalities.

Antonio Malacarne - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • a fully photonics based Coherent Radar system
    Nature, 2014
    Co-Authors: Paolo Ghelfi, Francesco Laghezza, Claudio Porzi, Mirco Scaffardi, Amerigo Capria, Filippo Scotti, Giovanni Serafino, Daniel Onori, Sergio Pinna, Antonio Malacarne
    Abstract:

    The next generation of Radar systems must be photonic to obtain frequency flexibility and improved performance; here both generation and detection of radio signals are demonstrated in a successful field trial of a photonic-based Radar system using aeroplanes.

  • a fully photonics based Coherent Radar system
    Nature, 2014
    Co-Authors: Paolo Ghelfi, Francesco Laghezza, Claudio Porzi, Mirco Scaffardi, Amerigo Capria, Filippo Scotti, Giovanni Serafino, Daniel Onori, Sergio Pinna, Antonio Malacarne
    Abstract:

    The next generation of Radar systems must be photonic to obtain frequency flexibility and improved performance; here both generation and detection of radio signals are demonstrated in a successful field trial of a photonic-based Radar system using aeroplanes. The next generation of Radar systems will need to be highly automated and use software-defined signal generation and detection for flexible operation in surveillance and wireless communication applications. However, the necessary analogue-to-digital conversion poses serious technical limits for conventional microwave electronic components. That makes photonic Radar an attractive option, well suited to digital operation. Until now photonics-based generation and detection of radio signals have generally been studied separately. Here Paolo Ghelfi et al. combine the individual components to produce a functioning, complete photonic Radar system. The system's effectiveness and precision are demonstrated in a field trial involving the detection of passing aircraft. The next generation of Radar (radio detection and ranging) systems needs to be based on software-defined radio to adapt to variable environments, with higher carrier frequencies for smaller antennas and broadened bandwidth for increased resolution1,2,3,4. Today’s digital microwave components (synthesizers and analogue-to-digital converters) suffer from limited bandwidth with high noise at increasing frequencies5,6,7, so that fully digital Radar systems can work up to only a few gigahertz, and noisy analogue up- and downconversions are necessary for higher frequencies. In contrast, photonics provide high precision and ultrawide bandwidth8,9, allowing both the flexible generation of extremely stable radio-frequency signals with arbitrary waveforms up to millimetre waves10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22, and the detection of such signals and their precise direct digitization without downconversion23,24,25,26. Until now, the photonics-based generation and detection of radio-frequency signals have been studied separately and have not been tested in a Radar system. Here we present the development and the field trial results of a fully photonics-based Coherent Radar demonstrator carried out within the project PHODIR27. The proposed architecture exploits a single pulsed laser for generating tunable Radar signals and receiving their echoes, avoiding radio-frequency up- and downconversion and guaranteeing both the software-defined approach and high resolution. Its performance exceeds state-of-the-art electronics at carrier frequencies above two gigahertz, and the detection of non-cooperating aeroplanes confirms the effectiveness and expected precision of the system.

  • A fully photonics-based Coherent Radar system
    Nature, 2014
    Co-Authors: Paolo Ghelfi, Francesco Laghezza, Claudio Porzi, Mirco Scaffardi, Amerigo Capria, Filippo Scotti, Giovanni Serafino, Daniel Onori, Sergio Pinna, Antonio Malacarne
    Abstract:

    The next generation of Radar (radio detection and ranging) systems needs to be based on software-defined radio to adapt to variable environments, with higher carrier frequencies for smaller antennas and broadened bandwidth for increased resolution. Today's digital microwave components (synthesizers and analogue-to-digital converters) suffer from limited bandwidth with high noise at increasing frequencies, so that fully digital Radar systems can work up to only a few gigahertz, and noisy analogue up- and downconversions are necessary for higher frequencies. In contrast, photonics provide high precision and ultrawide bandwidth, allowing both the flexible generation of extremely stable radio-frequency signals with arbitrary waveforms up to millimetre waves, and the detection of such signals and their precise direct digitization without downconversion. Until now, the photonics-based generation and detection of radio-frequency signals have been studied separately and have not been tested in a Radar system. Here we present the development and the field trial results of a fully photonics-based Coherent Radar demonstrator carried out within the project PHODIR. The proposed architecture exploits a single pulsed laser for generating tunable Radar signals and receiving their echoes, avoiding radio-frequency up- and downconversion and guaranteeing both the software-defined approach and high resolution. Its performance exceeds state-of-the-art electronics at carrier frequencies above two gigahertz, and the detection of non-cooperating aeroplanes confirms the effectiveness and expected precision of the system.