Extended Frequency Range Wide Band RF Distribution System for Shipboard Systems

Syntonics will investigate the feasibility of an optical radio frequency distribution system (ORFDS) that uses photonic links to mitigate EMI issues, freeing the system designer to place shipboard antennas and radios without constraints on connection lengths. Electro-optic (EO) “RF-over-fiber” technology sends analog RF signals over optical fibers using modulated lasers and photonic detectors. Syntonics will study several RF-over-fiber architectures focusing on designs that use externally modulated CW lasers with relative intensity noise suppressed by balanced detectors and active phase detector linearization techniques. Performance estimates will be prepared for each design option. A feasible ORFDS conceptual design will be prepared.