Distributed Coherent Beamforming at 60 GHz Enabled by Optically-Established Coherence

We implement and experimentally demonstrate a 60 GHz distributed system leveraging an optical time synchronization system that provides precise time and frequency alignment between independent elements of the distributed mesh. Utilizing such accurate coherence, we perform receive beamforming with interference rejection and transmit nulling. In these configurations, the system achieves a coherent gain over an incoherent network of N nodes, significantly improving the relevant signal power ratios. Our system demonstrates extended array phase coherence times, enabling advanced techniques. Results from over-the-air experiments demonstrate a 14.3 dB signal-to-interference-plus-noise improvement in interference-laden scenarios with a contributing 13.5 dB null towards interference in receive beamforming. In transmit nulling, a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) gain of 7.9 dB is measured towards an intended receiver while maintaining an SNR reduction of 8.9 dB at another receiver. These findings represent the use of distributed coherence in the V band without the use of GPS timing.