SBIR-STTR Award

We propose to design and develop an approach for realizing a compact RF-Optical Transmitter with an overall volume of less than 150 cm3. Such a package will address current military airborne needs for higher bandwidth performance and lower size, weight, and power (SWaP). The designed module will meet important RF link specifications including an RF bandwidth exceeding 18 GHz, RF noise figure below 25 dB, an optical power of greater than 20 mW from a single-mode fiber, and a spurious-free dynamic range above 110 dB-Hz3/2. We will use a recently developed 1550 nm CW laser with a relative intensity level of below -165 dBc/Hz over all RF frequencies between 1 to 18 GHz, and a demonstrated linewidth

Benefit:
The technology and devices we propose to develop during a Phase I SBIR program will find immediate applications, after Phase II, including in known Navy RF/analog transmitter programs, military communication, sensing, and surveillance systems, and commercially as high-speed RF fiber links for network uplinks.

Keywords:
Airborne RF/Analog Photonic Link, Airborne RF/Analog Photonic Link, RF/Analog Photonic Link, RF/Analog Photonic Transmitter, High RF Bandwidth RF/Photonic Link

We propose to develop a compact RF-optical transmitter that incorporates a next generation miniature LiNbO3 thin-film modulator with a significantly larger RF bandwidth and lower half-wave voltage, and a miniature ultra-narrowband Yb,Er:Glass laser. The laser will operate single-longitudinal-mode (SLM), and single transverse mode (STM), and will be coupled to a polarization maintaining (PM) single-mode (SM) fiber. A package volume of < 131 cm3 will be demonstrated, and includes the laser, the RF modulator, a PCB for modulator bias and laser control, and connectors for RF and power in, and a booted fiber output. The proposed work builds on a successful Phase I program during which a number of methods for package miniaturization were explored, and detailed electrical and mechanical designs were generated.