Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2023 - 12

Optoelectronic
Analog Signal Transmission
Takes Center Stage Amidst
Aerospace and Defense Innovation
I
12
t is hard to imagine an industry more
reliant on seamless, resilient, and
secure communication than aerospace
and defense (A&D). Communication
and electromagnetic signal processing
are at the core of advanced
systems, which is why the trend towards
higher frequencies (and millimeter
waves) makes optoelectronic signal
transmission a critical topic in this sector
as technology advances at a rapid
pace and demands better performance.
A&D communication networks use a
mix of digital and analog transmission,
with emphasis on the former, but given
the industry's proclivity towards lower
latency and higher bandwidth applications,
analog transmission will play an
even larger role in the future. Passive and
active electromagnetic sensing (e.g.,
radar, radio telescopes, and other listening
devices) requires high fidelity signal
transport for " remote " processing. It
brings transport of radio frequency signals
over fiber (RFoF) to the forefront,
which is an analog technique of converting
radio frequency (RF) into light waves
for secure, resilient, long-distance data/
signal transmission.
Data Intensive and Autonomous
Future for Aerospace and Defense
A&D domains rely increasingly on communications
such as control signals for
unmanned vessels, surveillance drones,
and tactical data from battlefield sensors.
In 2021, the Pentagon received $7.5 billion
to fund unmanned systems across the U.S.
Air Force, Army and Navy. The Department
of Defense (DoD) has also recently
expressed interest in ramping up its use of
AI in defense technologies.
All these applications are data-intensive,
always requiring low latency and
mobilityengineeringtech.com
high bandwidth communication to
operate successfully. Most of the signals
are transported over-the-air but
there is a need for transport between
the processing equipment (e.g., at a
bunker) and the outside antenna. The
challenge with high frequency technologies
required to meet current and
emerging needs is the high attenuation
over cable or waveguide medium,
which makes long distance transport
impractical. As does its heightened
sensitivity to natural and man-made
obstructions.
Presently, the Ku-band (12.5-18 GHz)
is one of the most common RF bands
used by the A&D for satellite communication,
remote sensing, military communication
(i.e., common data link),
radar systems and broadcast services. But
the Ka-band (26.5-40 GHz) is emerging
as a popular choice in military commuAerospace
& Defense Technology, September 2023
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Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2023

Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2023 - Intro
Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2023 - Sponsor
Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2023 - Cov1
Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2023 - Cov2
Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2023 - 1
Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2023 - 2
Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2023 - 3
Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2023 - 4
Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2023 - 5
Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2023 - 6
Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2023 - 7
Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2023 - 8
Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2023 - 9
Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2023 - 10
Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2023 - 11
Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2023 - 12
Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2023 - 13
Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2023 - 14
Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2023 - 15
Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2023 - 16
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Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2023 - 18
Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2023 - 19
Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2023 - 20
Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2023 - 21
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Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2023 - 23
Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2023 - 24
Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2023 - 25
Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2023 - 26
Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2023 - 27
Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2023 - 28
Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2023 - 29
Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2023 - 30
Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2023 - 31
Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2023 - 32
Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2023 - 33
Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2023 - 34
Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2023 - 35
Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2023 - 36
Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2023 - Cov3
Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2023 - Cov4
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