Photonic technology enables real-time calculation of radio signal correlation

Researchers have developed a new analog photonic correlator that can be used to locate an object transmitting a radio signal. They demonstrated its ability to identify the location of a radio frequency transmitter, working faster than other methods. The device is considerably simpler than today's analog or digital correlators and uses off-the-shelf telecommunications components to process a wide range of radio frequency signals in cell phones, signal jammers, and more.