Hybrid Broadband Optical Links

ABSTRACT: The use of optical fibers for the transport and distribution of RF signals brings the benefits of both worlds at the fingertip of the network engineer! A Hybrid Broadband Optical Link enables such heterogeneous network, an end-to-end network solution that leverages the unique features and capabilities offered by RF and optical networks. The use of an optical fiber backbone to provide high data rate interconnection between antenna base stations in broadband RF networks offers significant advantages while supporting both wired and wireless connectivity. Optical link capacity is paired with wireless mobility, and network management functions can also be shared, providing network operators with reductions in both operating expenses and capital investments; BENEFIT: Military communication systems on avionic platforms have very small size and low weight requirements. Fiber optic based links provide inherent advantages over electronic based systems due to ultra-wide bandwidth, immunity to electromagnetic interference and reduced weight. Despite the advantages provided by fiber optics, the size of an entire system is still limited by engineering tradeoffs such as the spacing required between components due to the fiber optic interfaces and the packaging size of individual components. Specifically, the required use of optical fiber between the laser and modulator limits the ability to create a compact transmit system. A standard system includes a laser, modulator and a photodiode receiver. Typically there is some active and/or passive signal processing that can be done post modulator, indicating that the laser and modulator are consecutive. Thus a small packaged integrated laser and modulator device is needed.