Phasebridge Gets DARPA Contract For 'Photonic Radio' Program

Phasebridge, Inc., specializing in advanced photonic integration technologies including optical devices and sub-systems for analog radio frequency (RF) signal processing and optical fiber transmission, has been awarded a $350,000 contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). This funding is to further the development of an optical RF Quadrature Phase-Shift-Keyed (QPSK) technique and analyze its applications in a new generation of ultra-wideband and frequency-agile military radio systems. This technique will be used to imprint data during the frequency synthesis process in such "Photonic Radios."

Phasebridge Founder and Chief Technology Officer Ron Logan said, "Under this new contract, we will optimize the implementation of QPSK modulation as it pertains to ultra-wideband RF photonic heterodyne frequency synthesis and RF photonic frequency conversion. The Photonic Radio system architecture then integrates these frequency synthesis and conversion methods into a system that permits a baseband-frequency terminal to access channel frequencies over an extremely wide range of microwave through millimeter-wave channel frequencies." This wide frequency range will greatly reduce the size, weight, and power consumption of today's military radio communications by combining the functions of multiple radio systems into one and by replacing heavy copper cable with optical fiber, thereby improving the portability of military radio communications.

Doug Askegard, Phasebridge executive director of marketing, added that, "This QPSK modulation technique augments our strong portfolio in photonic RF frequency synthesis and conversion. Phasebridge and its exclusive technology-licensing partners, including Caltech's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, have been developing this field for military and commercial applications for several years. This DARPA QPSK contract adds a key building block to our broader advanced RF photonics program."

SOURCE: Phasebridge