DEV Systemtechnik is offering off-the-shelf RF-over-fiber (RFoF) links (Optical Transmitters and Receivers) operating at more than 6 GHz. Be it direct transmission of a C-Band antenna at 6 GHz or a Ku-band antenna at 18 GHz, DEV has the high performance, manageable and fully modular RFoF system for global satellite industry.
RF-over-fiber (RFoF) refers to a technology where radio frequency analog signals modulate a light source (laser) and are transmitted over an optical fiber link. With RFoF technology, large bandwidths at high frequencies can be distributed over long distances with very low losses and with minimum impact on signal integrity.
A Quick Look to DEV’s Best Selling RFoF Platform Optribution
Optribution allows complex switching, redundant configurations and long-distance signal transport up to 500 km for with both indoor and outdoor options. The Optribution product line features a wide selection of diverse fiber transmission and signal distribution modules for switching, splitting, CWDM/DWDM, redundancy routing and much more.
The Optribution platform and compatible DEV Systems are deployed in more than 100 countries for high performance RF distribution and is trusted by Teleport operators for more than two decades.
Key features of this RFoF platform include:
- 20 Slots for optical Transmitter or Receiver Modules for up to 40 Signals
- 1+1 Redundancy | N+1 Redundancy (n=4, 8, 12, or 16) for RX/TX
- CWDM up to 8-16 Channels | DWDM up to 49 Channels
- MUX/DEMUX and Optical Splitters
- EDFA and Delay Line Selection
- Ethernet to Optical Converter Option
- Power Supply Redundancy
- DEV Web Interface | SNMP Support
- 7 Years Warranty
Wideband RF Over Fiber Systems up to 18 GHz
From today’s perspective, it is no secret that the common use of L Band on the ground segment is a heritage from the times where the coaxial distribution was the only option to transmit RF signals in a wired network. Of course, when talking about coaxial distribution, the intermediate frequency should be as low as possible due to high attenuation occurred on higher frequencies. But when we look at this at today’s perspective where almost all the infrastructure of large teleports are already based on fiber, it might be a good time to talk about carrying higher frequency on fiber links.
Utilizing advanced communications technology, fiber can efficiently transport analog signal over great distances in their native bands without down converting the high frequencies. Transmission from antenna site without down/up converting from/to L-Band prevents potential performance signal degradation due to any distortion caused by local oscillators and mixer elements. This also enhances the overall system reliability as there are fewer components in the signal chain.
This direct microwave transmission enables and simplifies applications such as antenna diversity over long distances, separation and centralization of down conversion and demodulation and cascaded modulator topology. As an example, for the uplink chain, this new structure can enable modulators and local oscillator to be placed in different locations for antenna remoting applications.
Click here to see RF over Fiber Modules listed from the leading manufacturers on everything RF.
