Radio Frequency Photonic Technology (RPT)
Abstract
The Radio Frequency Photonics Technology (RPT) program developed components and microsystems to revolutionize deployed signal intelligence (SIGINT) gathering capabilities. The radio frequency (RF) spectrum contains innumerable friendly and adversarial signals of interest including: voice and data communications, electronic signatures, and navigation information. Conventional electronic systems are challenged in detecting weak signals in the presence of strong ones (low-linearity) across a broad range of frequencies (narrow-band). The RPT program efficiently captured all RF signals of interest by developing broad-band (>10 gigahertz) high-linearity (>70 decibels dynamic-range) optical components and microsystems. RPT enabled linear broadband microsystems such as remote links, channelizers, and analog-to-digital converters (ADCs). The RPT program reduced susceptibility to electronic attack, increased the probability-of-intercepting (POI) adversaries on their first-pulse transmission, and increased information awareness 1000-fold. This technology will transition via industry.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2013
- Source ID
- 31f773d148ce1cb35ac1bae1be96c37b