RFOptic Introduces High Frequency Links with Ultra-Low Spurious Level

The modules with ultra-low spurious level are especially suited for Radar and EW applications

May 21, 2020 | RFOptic, a leading provider of RF over Fiber (RFoF) and Optical Delay Line (ODL) solutions, announced today that its 12GHz, 18GHz, 20GHz, 30GHz, and 40GHz RF over Fiber links have an ultra-low spurious level of less than -95dBm.

“For many of our customers, a low spurious RFoF solution is essential. These non-harmonic spurious signals mix with the input RF signals and are present along with it at the output of the RFoF link. The spurious signals increase the Probability of False Alarm (PFA) and Minimum Detection Signal level (MDS) for EW and RADAR systems and degrade the Adjacent Channel Power Ratio (ACPR) in communication systems. Achieving extremely low spurious levels is always a challenge, particularly in small tight RFoF modules where power consumption must be kept as low as possible” said Dr. David Gabbay V.P R&D of RFOptic Ltd. “Many applications require our new design that achieves low spurious levels across extremes of the RFoF Link bandwidth. Applications such as Optical Delay Lines, used in many RADAR test ranges, require ultra-low spurious to test and optimize extremely sensitive systems. At RFOptic, we are proud to have succeeded in achieving this critical parameter which opens the market for many applications, especially Radar and EW”.

In general, a high spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR) is desirable when multiple signals of very different power levels are expected to coexist. A high SFDR RFoF solution simplifies signal conditioning requirements that are required to separate true signals from the unwanted spurious. There are well known techniques which are intended to identify the spurious signals and null them including LO dither, adjustable ALC and power range stepping. However, these techniques complicate the extraction of the real signals of interest and require extra signal processing which now can be reduced or re-directed to deal with the real input signals rather than with artifacts of the RFoF link. During antenna, radar or communications system testing, high SFDR is essential due to the typical large signal amplitude ratios between main and side lobes or between close and distant targets. The same applies to DF/ELINT systems which have to handle strong jammers concurrent with weak signals of interest.

Key features of a typical 20GHz with High SFDR link include:

• Frequency Range: 0.1-20GHz (A lower cutoff of a few KHz is achievable)
• Best Cost Performance
• High SFDR 113 dB/Hz
• Excellent Phase Noise
• Spurious Level <-95dBm
• Excellent phase linearity
• Group Delay Variation of ±25 psec
• Excellent Gain Flatness
• Can be fitted to indoor or outdoor enclosures

About RFOptic

RFOptic is a leading provider of RF over Fiber (RFoF) and Optical Delay Line (ODL) solutions. For the last 20 years, its team of industry veterans has been developing, designing, and integrating superior quality technology for a wide range of RFoF and ODL solutions. The solutions are deployed in various industries, including broadcasting, aviation, automotive, and defense. RFOptic offers its customers and OEMs various off-the-shelf products, as well as custom-made solutions optimized for a wide range of RFoF products at affordable prices and with a quick turnaround. RFOptic makes it its mission to help its customers to turn innovation into real business by providing them with the highest quality, cutting edge RFoF solutions as well as customized solutions based on individual requests and objectives.

Media contact:

Mr. Oz Abramson, VP

rfoptic.customcode.co.il