Pharad Demonstrates All-Optical RF Distribution System

Feb. 29, 2012 - PRLog -- Pharad announced the recent successful demonstration of an All-Optical RF Distribution system for ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) platforms incorporating its high performance RF photonic transceiver and photonic cross-connect products. The optical RF distribution system provides high linearity, low noise figure, and low loss RF over fiber signal transport as well as the dynamic optical switching and routing of RF signals. In the demonstration, four Pharad photonic transceivers with operational bandwidths covering 0.5 – 20 GHz were integrated with the Pharad PXC-0404 Photonic Cross-Connect, a four channel optical switching module that supports the low loss routing, dynamic switching and distribution of multiple RF over fiber signals.

In addition to ISR applications, the optical RF distribution system can be used for high performance RF signal routing in other platforms and RF distribution networks. It allows the replacement of conventional coaxial cabling and RF switches typically used for the routing of multiple RF signals to different locations. RF over fiber link paths can be reconfigured dynamically and the photonic cross-connect operates independently of the RF signal frequencies.

“Pharad’s RF over fiber technology products are unique in the marketplace,” said Austin Farnham, President of Pharad. “Our photonic transceivers feature ultra-wideband operational bandwidths and the highest available dynamic range performance. Together with our photonic cross-connect, this recent demonstration allowed us to showcase how photonic technologies can greatly significantly extend the capabilities of and overcome the limitations of conventional RF distribution systems.”

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Located in Glen Burnie, Maryland, Pharad, LLC is a customer focused company and technology leader in the development and manufacture of highly efficient, electrically small antennas and RF over fiber systems for communications and defense applications. Pharad creates innovative solutions for realizing difficult-to-engineer antennas for confined operational environments and very broadband applications. Pharad also manufactures a range of high performance RF photonic transceiver products that can support the fiber optic remoting of RF signals up to 40 GHz via a single transceiver module. For additional information, visit www.pharad.com