Mercury Systems has begun the first production shipments of its rugged Spectrum Series RFM3101 RF transceiver to a leading supplier of integrated electronic warfare (EW) systems. Mercury’s OpenVPX RF transceiver features ultra-wideband frequency conversion with excellent phase noise, high dynamic range and a low spurious output in a compact 3U form factor optimized for future upgradability.
This single-channel, microwave transceiver is optimized for demanding, low-latency DRFM applications and includes an optional external LO input to support multichannel, coherent systems that offer best-in-class low spurious performance. In recognition of its high performance and open architecture compliance, the RFM3101 transceiver received a four-star distinction from Military Embedded Systems at the recent 55th Annual Association of Old Crows International Symposium and Convention in Washington, D.C.
Developed as a joint effort across multiple Mercury facilities, this modular RF transceiver features OpenRFM frequency conversion blocks to support customization and rapid upgradability. To ensure an efficient production ramp-up, all RFM3101 modules are manufactured and shipped from Mercury’s AS9100D-certified facility in Huntsville, Ala., where advanced automated manufacturing technology minimizes lead time and cost.
While the first production shipments support a broadband electronic attack system, this agile RF transceiver is also ideal for applications including direction finding and spectrum monitoring. As technology evolves to counter future adversarial threats, the OpenRFM design approach enables modifications at the sub-assembly level that improve performance with no changes to the mechanical outline or interface. This combination of multi-application support and upgradability are critical to supporting the U.S. Armed Forces in achieving and maintaining control of the congested and contested electromagnetic spectrum (EMS).
