Abstract

The quest for ever-greater situational awareness creates a need for continuous improvement in signal processing technology. Avionic platforms present a particularly challenging host platform in terms of size, weight, and power (SWaP), with RF signals a major area of interest. Decades of unbroken exponential progress in underlying microelectronics technology combined with the flexibility of programmable function have made digital signal processing (DSP) the signal processing method of choice, yet RF signal processing continues to exhibit significant analog aspects. Analog signal processing (ASP) is used only when a system constraint compels it. One such constraint arises from the fact that signals are generally analog to start with, compelling an analog to digital conversion (ADC) step that has many analog aspects. A second case are classes of signal processing problems for which the necessary ADC technology is not available, for which ASP must be at least partially employed. Finally, the DSP task itself may be too costly relative to an ASP alternative. We consider here opportunities for optical technology to impact these constraints and discuss their common challenge, the analog optical link.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.