Optical network solution to the synchronization of distributed coherent aperture radar

Distributed coherent aperture radar (DCAR) is an important direction for next-generation radar due to its high sensitivity. The challenge to realize DCAR is the synchronization among geographically distributed radar units. We propose an optical network for DCAR synchronization. The proposed network achieves functions of phase-coded pulse generation, time synchronization, and phase synchronization with the help of microwave photonics techniques. Proof-of-concept experiments are conducted in fiber and space transmission scenarios. The combined radar beams have negligible energy loss when synchronization is achieved.