| Abstract: | The ability to remotely radiate microwave signals has become an essential feature of modern electronic countermeasure (ECM) systems. The use of fiber optics allows remote microwave links to be constructed that have very low propagation loss and dispersion, are very flexible and light in weight, and have a high degree of immunity from external electromagnetic fields, cross talk, and environmental effects. This combination of desirable characteristics is beneficial to avionic ECM antenna remoting as well as many other applications. GEC-Marconi has developed high-per formance fiber components for use in a towed radar decoy. The resulting rugged and compact optical transmitter and receiver modules have been proven to maintain the required performance over the full hostile range of environmental conditions en countered on a fast jet. Packaged fiber-optic links have been produced that can achieve a compression dynamic range of 87 dB in a 1-MHz bandwidth over a 2- to 18-GHz range. |
