Integrated RF Photonics Channelizer and Down inverter

In this program, Freedom Photonics is proposing to develop an integrated RF photonic channelizer and downconverter. A single RF photonic IC can operate over ultra-broadband RF range with a performance that match or exceeds the RF equivalent, in particular with respect to spurious signal rejection. It is expected that a combined Phase I and Phase II effort will develop a first packaged prototype that will be made available for NASA for evaluation.

NASA broadband microwave and millimeter wave passive sensing applications, as set out in the solicitation. Sspace applications have a need for flexible and dynamic frequency translation between many microwave/mmwave communications bands within communications platforms. A small SWaP broadband photonic solution has the potential to outperform any RF system.

Low SWaP RF channelizer and downconverter with maintained performance. These need to be adapted and developed for small size and power constrained platforms, such as UAV, UAS, and small Satellite systems. Low-loss optical delay lines to allow for pre-processing of the optical signal, or to implement tunable delays for phased array and other applications.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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