AbstractsComputer Science

In this thesis, an innovative design of a true time delay laser beam steering system based on a multiple-bounce optical system and piston-style microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) micromirror arrays is suggested. Using true-time delay for steering optical beams instead of phase-shifting eliminates dispersion (beam squint) and reduces side lobes significantly. We examine theoretically two approaches, the White cell and the Fourier cell. A simulation program in Matlab is first verified by theoretic analysis and mathematic derivation. First it is used to examine a design based on White cell, and prove that while this design will steer beams as required, it suffers from laser beam quality degradation due to imperfect reproduction of the phase front on multiple bounces. Another design based on the Fourier cell is suggested, and validated in simulation. A detailed design is developed, and the performance of this design based on the simulation results is presented.