Wavelength Division Multiplexing Fiber Optic Microwave Delay System

The objective of this Phase II proposal is to build, test, and deliver a programmable fiber-optic delay line capable of delaying an instantaneous bandwidth from 4 to 12 GHz from 0 to > 20 msecs, programmable in 10 nsec steps. The proposed delay line willimplement DWDM fiber-optic technology to minimize optical fiber while achieving an infinite capture time. A recent study involving an experimental fiber-optic delay line to 25 msecs has shown that the proposed DWDM fiber-optic delay line will be completedwith low risk. The delay line resulting from this effort will provide exceptionally long delays of very wide bandwidth microwave signals not previously available, which will result in substantial cost savings in applications where the delay line is usedfor target simulation and telemetry systems testing.This research will result in a delivered fiber-optic microwave delay line capable of delaying microwave signals from 0 to > 20 msecs, programmable in 10 nsec steps. A substantial cost savings will resultby using the delay line as a radar target simulator instead of real targets.