Fiber Optic Microwave Transmission System

Several prototype, 1-18-GHz, fiber-optic links meeting many of the solicitation requirements have been reported, and one complete, 15-GHz-bandwidth link is currently commercially available. Other links meeting most of these requirements can be readily assembled using currently-commercially-available components (an example of which is included herein, together with a complete parts list). All of these, however, are deficient in several important ways. In this proposal, 15 specific requirements are identified and the link and link-component specifications dictated by these requirements are discussed at length. MRC proposes to design a low-development-risk link which will minimally meet all requirements and which can be built early in Phase-II for thorough MRC and Navy evaluation, and subsequently optimized to more fully meet the requirements. MRC's considerable past RF-Photonics experience (including the development of 1-18-GHz-bandwidth, fiber-optic RF probes) and MRC's non-affiliation with any link-component manufacturer assure that the optimum link configuration and components will be used. In addition, MRC will investigate the feasibility of simultaneously pursuing in Phase II innovative, higher-risk approaches already under development at MRC which hold the promise of significant advantages, for example, in cost.