Photonic Links Allow MILSATCOM And RF Distribution Networks To Leverage Optical Communication Infrastructure

By Joshua L. Korson and Richard J. Stewart, Microwave Photonic Systems Inc.

RF Photonic links have been the focus of researchers since the early 1980's, and the advances in performance capabilities have been continually expanded by innovative industry development of academically proven principles and techniques. The initial introduction of RF Photonic technology to the civilian and defense markets provided limited deployment options due in large part to their high costs, limited RF performance envelope, and prohibitive size, weight and power (SWaP) requirements. In addition to these technical limitations, there existed the ever present cultural mindset to resist the adoption of new technologies into front line military platforms.

The ever increasing proliferation and reliance on RF systems has necessitated the need for robust, secure, and distributed network topologies. As a result, the defense industry is incorporating optical fiber cabling in lieu of coaxial cables or waveguides within major communications and weapons systems. This trend has put increased demands on the RF performance of optical links to achieve ever improved Spurious Free Dynamic Range (SFDR) capabilities. That is, system SFDR link budgets can no longer be sacrificed, with regard to the design trade space, at the expense of using sub-optimal RF photonic technologies.

Microwave Photonic Systems (MPS), an industry leader in RF Photonic technology, has leveraged 15 years of research, design, and manufacturing experience to further enhance proprietary technology offerings to develop and deploy optical communications equipment that offer SFDR values in excess of 116.0 dB-Hz2/3.