Fibre links set for airborne duties

Phasebridge has been awarded a contract for the development and manufacture of integrated fibre-optic transmitters and receivers for the AN/ALR-95 system on the P-3C Maritime Patrol Aircraft.

Phasebridge has been awarded a contract for the development and manufacture of integrated fibre-optic transmitters and receivers for the AN/ALR-95 system on the P-3C Maritime Patrol Aircraft.

The contract was awarded by EDO Corp, which is providing the AN/ALR-95 system to the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Maritime Patrol Aircraft Programme (PMA290).

Phasebridge will develop these fibre optic transmitter and receiver modules using its proprietary hybrid integration technology.

The Phasebridge photonic modules developed under this contract will be capable of delivering high bandwidth electronic support measures (ESM) in the presence of extremely challenging environmental conditions.

"Due to their unique combination of hybrid photonic packaging capability and RF photonic expertise, the Navy is looking forward to working with Phasebridge in this development and demonstration contract", said NAVAIR Programme Engineer Ray Jordan.

"High frequency analogue links are used in both military and civilian aircraft to transfer radio frequency (RF) signals from an antenna to a communications hub", said Dr John Gallo, Vice President of Business Development at Phasebridge.

"As frequencies of these RF signals increase, copper cables become incapable of transmitting these signals faithfully over any significant distance".

"Our advanced, hybrid fibre optic links not only overcome this bandwidth-distance limitation, but also weigh much less than copper cables - a significant factor in airborne applications".

"We welcome the opportunity to develop and deliver these specialised integrated optical modules for NAVAIR".

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