Photonic Reconfigurable Optical-frequency-comb-based Microwave sensor for Intelligence and Signals Exploitation (PROMISE)

Vescent Technologies Inc. (Vescent), in collaboration with The Aerospace Corporation (Aerospace), proposes to develop a versatile photonic microwave sensor prototype that will meet the Navy’s goal for modernizing and controlling the electro-magnetic spectrum for electronic warfare (EW) superiority against US adversaries. An optical front end comprised of a phase-locked optical frequency comb will seed a microwave photonic receiver and transmitter head to enable a Photonic Reconfigurable Optical-frequency-comb-based Microwave Sensor for Intelligence and Signals Exploitation (PROMISE). This PROMISE system will provide assured access to a large segment of the EW spectrum and enable control and modernization of the EW spectrum for next generation defense capabilities. Our proposed effort will avoid expensive, power hungry, high-speed electronics and digitizers by using an novel microwave sensor leveraging emerging photonic technology to access the entire microwave spectrum. Additionally, state-of-the-art ultra-low phase noise microwave generation will be achieved through careful optical frequency division of the optical frequency comb into the microwave domain.