Ultra-Wideband Fiber Optic RF Distribution System for Submarine Platforms Navy SBIR FY2012.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2012.1 Topic No.: N121-056 Topic Title: Ultra-Wideband Fiber Optic RF Distribution System for Submarine Platforms Proposal No.: N121-056-1007 Firm: Pharad LLC 797 Cromwell Park Drive, Suite V Glen Burnie, Maryland 21061-2540 Contact: Dalma Novak Phone: (410) 590-3333 Web Site: www.pharad.com Abstract: In this Phase I effort Pharad will develop novel technologies to realize an ultra-wideband fiber optic RF distribution system for submarine platforms that will provide significantly enhanced performance capabilities and cost savings compared to currently fielded solutions. Upgrading to a fiber optic distribution system will offer a number of benefits over conventional copper or coaxial cables, including significantly reduced cabling volume and weight; very low loss over a wide RF bandwidth; and improved signal isolation. The ability to reduce the volume of the RF distribution system in the submarine will provide increased space for RF equipment and enable enhanced mission capabilities. During Phase I we will investigate novel approaches for the high dynamic range and low noise transport of ultra-wideband RF signals over fiber. We will then develop a preliminary design for the fiber optic RF distribution system architecture that can meet the performance requirements while also being cost advantageous. This design will form the basis of a scaled prototype fiber optic RF distribution system that will be developed in Phase II. We will also carry out a proof-of-concept experiment that demonstrates the technical feasibility of our proposed concepts for realizing an ultra-wideband, high performance, fiber optic RF distribution system. Benefits: The development of an ultra-wideband fiber optic RF distribution system is critical to enhancing the capabilities of next generation Navy submarine platforms. As a low volume, low loss, EMI-free, alternative to conventional coaxial cabling and waveguide, the fiber optic system will provide a platform and infrastructure that easily accommodates future technology insertion and enables future growth capabilities without the need for installing additional cabling. The implementation of a wideband, high performance optical RF distribution system would benefit not only DoD RF platforms, but would also find application in the commercial wireless telecommunications sector where there is an ever increasing demand for deploying connectivity from the wireless domain to the fiber backbone. Return