Simplified Block Diagram

Product overview

RFOptic’s Ultra RF over Fiber 18GHz Transmitters & Receivers operate from 100MHz -18GHz and are commonly used for applications in the X and Ku bands, such as remote antenna for EW, Radar, Communications, Satcom, and telemetry. Their compact design and relatively low power consumption make them ideal for standalone and subsystem applications. The modules are available with FC/APC or SC/APC optical connectors and SMA RF ports.

Each 18GHz link includes a transmitter (Tx) and a receiver (Rx) module. These modules may be monitored and controlled by the RFOptic configuration tool software under MS Windows OS using USB-C connection. Optionally, the Tx module may be ordered with a built-in pre-amplifier in the Tx module to improve the Noise Figure of the link and/or a post-amplifier in the Rx module to increase the gain of the RFoF link.

The RFoF 18GHz ULTRA modules share the small dimensions of the RFoF Programmable Series and can be installed in 2U high-density subsystems, accommodating up to 40 independent transmitters / receivers or 20 half-bidirectional terminals. Furthermore, the compact Ultra modules are ideal for subsystems (including DWDM) where up to 8 modules can be installed in each 1U 19” Generic enclosure or up to 4 per 1U 19” Removable enclosure featuring hot-swappable modules.

Key Features

  • Frequency Range: 100MHz -18GHz
  • High input P1dB compression point
  • Compact dimensions
  • USB C Monitoring and control interface
  • Low power consumption
  • Operates at 1550nm and 1310 nm
  • Operating temperature from -40o C to +70o C
  • Option to include pre- and post-amplifiers
  • Contact us for WDM solutions.

Enclosure level software features

  • Remote Management and Control (M&C) for enclosed modules is via USB-C
  • RFoF module level information includes temperature and optical power.
  • Full control of all Tx and Rx modules
  • Configurable optical level alarm
  • Secure communication with M&C over HTTPS with user-specified SSL PKI credentials
  • Ethernet configuration supports DHCP and static assignment
  • Supports manual, local, or NTP time zone setup
  • Support features include RFoF system log and service package software updates

18GHz Ultra applications

ULTRA RF over Fiber links operate from 100MHz to 18GHz. These modules provide a good price performance compromise and can be used for the same solutions as those using our HSFDR 18GHz modules. Such applications include remote antenna and electronic warfare, which commonly use 2GHz  18GHz frequency range.

RF over Fiber links provide excellent coaxial cable replacement in cases where coaxial cable losses are prohibitive; where distance is too big and where frequencies are high. Such cases include electronic warfare Direction-Finding systems (DF), remote antenna solutions for Jammers and UAV or Drone control. RFoF links provide superior performance to coaxial cables, since even a short distance of several feet or meters of coaxial cable at high frequencies introduces unacceptable insertion losses.

Main popular applications include: