Advanced Wide Band RF Distribution System

Shipboard communications, electronic attack, signal acquisition and direction finding capabilities are required. It is necessary to design and develop an advanced radio frequency distribution system (RFDS) for distribution of extremely small Signal Intelligence (SIGINT), Electronic Intelligence (ELINT), Input/Output (I/O), Electronic/Attack (EA) and Communications Signals. The RFDS must provide a low noise RF path from shipboard antennas to below decks processing electronics while operating in a high electromagnetic interference (EMI) environment. SEMTAS and their subcontractor SENTEL (SEMTAS / SENTEL) are very familiar with the problem and the resulting approach to the solution. Recent developments in comb-filter architecture RF distribution systems indicate that this technology offers a solution. Prototype Comb Limiter Combiner and Comb Linear Amplifier Combiner (CLIC / CLAC) hardware was successfully demonstrated for the Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS), used by the Army, Navy, and Marines. Laboratory results indicate a significant performance improvement over that of the current frequency hopping SINCGARS multicoupler. The CLIC / CLAC architecture allows up to 16 SINCGARS radios to be connected to one transmit antenna and one receive antenna. The SEMTAS / SENTEL team will scale this technology to the specific requirements and the types of signals involved.