Release Date: May 2026

20GHz RF over Fiber Mini-Q High SFDR

20GHz RF over Fiber Mini-Q High SFDR

Introduction

RFOptic‘s analog RFoF compact modules enable long-distance transport of wideband RF signals. The Tx unit, using an optical transmitter, converts wideband RF signals to an Optical signal and the Rx unit converts the Optical signal back to the RF signal. The two units are connected by the customer’s fiber.

In general, a wide range of spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR) is desirable when multiple signals of very different power levels are expected. High SFDR transmission RFoF simplifies signal conditioning requirements intended to avoid signal saturation and subsequent consequences such as power level adjustment. During e.g., antenna testing, radar, or communications system testing, high SFDR is essential due to the typical large amplitude ratios between main and side lobes or close and distant targets. The same applies to DF/ELINT systems which have to handle strong jammers concurrent with weak signals of interest.

RFOptic’s 12, 18, 20, 30, and 40 GHz RFoF solutions provide high SFDR of minimum 113 dB/Hz. Due to their improved NF, an additional pre-amplifier may not be needed. These high-performance products are used in applications such as civil communication, antenna remoting, telemetry, defense systems, satellite communications, and more.

When looking for a high SFDR solution, our L (Low Noise) solutions are the preferred option compared to our Q (standard) solutions.

Key Features

  • Frequency Range: 1-20GHz
  • Low spurious level
  • High SFDR 113 dB/Hz
  • Excellent phase linearity
  • Excellent Phase Noise

Configurations

  • Standard (stand-alone)
  • 1U Generic enclosure (4 units)
  • 1U Removable panel enclosure (2/4 units)
  • Outdoor (2/4 units)

Applications

  • Distributed Antenna
  • Satcom
  • Radio telescopes
  • Telecommunication:
    • Antenna Remoting
    • Long RF links via fiber
  • EW

Options

  • Customized RF Gain, P1dB, Noise Figure by adding internal Pre & Post amplifier(s)
  • Extended low-frequency bandwidth

RFoF 20GHz Q0 Mini High SFDR Specifications

RF Parameter Tx-Rx LinkUnitSpecification(typical)
Frequency Range [1]GHz0.1-20
RF Gain [2,3]dB-24
Gain Flatness for the entire frequency range [4]dB±2
1dB Input gain compression point [3]dBm18
Noise Figure [2,3]dB32
SFDR (calculated) [3,5]dB/Hz2/3113
Maximum RF input level (No damage)dBm20
VSWR Input-2:1
VSWR Output-2:1
Spurious [6]dBc<-90
Phase Noise at 10KHz OffsetdBc/Hz<-130
Input / Output impedanceOhm50
Optical and Electrical and Environmental (Tx, Rx)
Laser diode optical wavelengthµm1.55
Receiver photodiode optical wavelengthµm1.5-1.58
Operating temperature range°C0 to +70
Storage temperature°C-40 to +85
LED status indicators (Tx/Rx)-Blue/Green/Red
Input voltage [7]VDC5
Power consumption Tx module [8]Watt2
Power consumption Rx module [8]Watt0.25
Mechanical (Tx/Rx)
Dimensions Tx/Rx unitmm75*154*33
Weight Tx/Rx unitgrams450
RF Input / Output connectors-SMA
Optical Connector-FC/APC
Power connector and Data/monitor connector [9]-DB15
  1. Extended low frequency 0.02-20 GHz is optional.
  2. Excluding customer fiber loss.
  3. Measured at 10GHz. Typical values of Gain, P1dB and NF with Pre/Post Amps are indicated in the table below.
  4. Each of the pre/post amplifiers (optional) add about ±1.2dB to the gain flatness.
  5. SFDR (calculated) ≈ 2/3x[(IP1dB+10)+174-NF] dB/Hz2/3; Excluding in-band harmonics.
  6. Measured with input signal at Ip1dBc – 3dB at 1GHz. For HSFDR link with 28dB post amplifier the spurious level is about -85dBc.
  7. Recommended Power Supplies: Meanwell P/N GSM25U05-P1J (USA); GSM25E05-P1J (Europe); GE40I05-P1J (all purpose).
  8. Each of the pre/post amplifiers (optional) add about 1.8W to the module power consumption.
  9. For USB monitor, download the software here: https://rfoptic.com/software-download-rfof/

RFoF 20GHz Module Options

ParameterUnitHSFDR 20GHz
Transceiver
HSFDR 20GHz
Transceiver with Pre-Amp
HSFDR 20GHz
Transceiver with Post-Amp
HSFDR 20GHz
Transceiver with
Pre- and Post-Amp
P/N-RFoF-20GHz-Q0-MiniRFoF-20GHz-Q1-MiniRFoF-20GHz-Q0-Mini-PRFoF-20GHz-Q2-Mini
Gain*dB-24-777
Input P1dB*dBm182152
Noise Figure*dB32163419
SFDR*dBc/Hz113113110111

* Measured at 10GHz. For HSFDR units integrated in Indoor or Outdoor enclosures: NF and P1dB values will increase in ~2dB and Gain will decrease in ~2dB.

 

RFoF Enclosure Options

Parameter19" 1U Enclosure for RFoFOutdoor Enclosure for RFoF
Dimensions (mm)19" 1U Generic: 445(W)* 476(L)*44(H)

19" 1U Removable: 442(W)* 402(L)*44(H)
Small Outdoor: 270(W)*230(L)*85(H) Large Outdoor: 330(W)*350(L)*85(H)
RF Input / Output ConnectorSMA femaleN Type female
Optical ConnectorFC/APC or SC/APCMPO/APC 4/8 male [1]
Data ConnectorUSB2/RJ-45RJ45 female [2]
Power ConnectorHP SocketDC female/ AC male [2,3]
Power110/220 VAC9-36DC / 110/220VAC [2,3]
  1. MPO (F) 4/8 optical cable should be ordered according to the required length and conditions.
  2. IP-54 Data, AC and DC opposite connectors are provided as accessories with the module (cables are not included).
  3. DC and AC versions of the outdoor enclosure are available.

Ordering Information

P/NDescriptionTxRx
RFoF-20G-Q0-MiniTransceiver 20GHz, HSFDRRFoF20TFR-N0-11RFoF20RFR-N0-11
RFoF-20G-Q1-MiniTransceiver 20GHz, HSFDR with Pre-AmpRFoF20TFR-A0-11RFoF20RFR-N0-11
RFoF-20G-Q0-Mini-PTransceiver 20GHz, HSFDR, with Post-AmpRFoF20TFR-N0-11RFoF20RFR-A1-11
RFoF-20G-Q2-MiniTransceiver 20GHz, HSFDR, with Pre and Post-AmpRFoF20TFR-A0-11RFoF20RFR-A0-11
HSFDR-Cable-Data-DC [1]2 X D15 to USB 150cm & D15 to DC 25cm special cableFor stand-alone HSFDR link
Outdoor Data & AC set [2]Data and 110/220 AC opposite connectors – accessoriesFor outdoor enclosure with AC supply
Outdoor Data & DC set [2]Data and 5VDC opposite connectors – accessoriesFor outdoor enclosure with DC supply
  1. Cable supplied with the RFoF-20G-L0-Mini link.
  2. Connectors supplied with the RFoF-20G-L0-Mini link/s in Outdoor enclosure.

 

Contact information: Tel. Int.: +972-76-540 0180, Tel. USA: +1 708 RFOPTIC, To contact us directly, click here