Multi-functional, Microwave Photonic Sensor for Modern Electronic Warfare & Signals Intelligence

OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Integrated Sensing and Cyber;Microelectronics OBJECTIVE: Develop a multi-functional, photonics-enabled (MPE) microwave sensor capable of enabling advanced electronic warfare (EW) and signal intelligence applications. DESCRIPTION: The Navy seeks development of a photonic microwave sensor based on an environmentally rugged optical frequency comb locked to a compact and fieldable, high-performance optical reference cavity. The optical front end will feed microwave photonic extension modules with diverse functionality including: (a) a broadband spectrum analysis receiver module for the rapid detection and frequency identification of microwave tones between 1 40 GHz, (b) a broadband compressive sensing receiver module for the phase sensitive detection and reconstruction of microwave tones between 1 40 GHz, and (c) provisions for a future broadband transmitter module for the generation of discrete microwave tones between 1 40 GHz with exceptional phase noise performance. The MPE modules will incorporate photonic integrated circuit (PIC) technology where possible to improve the size, weight, and power (SWaP), and ruggedness of the photonic sub-systems. Such a system will not only provide assured access to a large segment of the EW spectrum but will also enable control and modernization of the EW spectrum for next generation defense capabilities in dense maritime environments. PHASE I: Develop an architecture and a detailed development plan for the optical frequency comb front end, broadband receiver module, phase-sensitive broadband receiver module and ultra-low phase noise transmitter module. The Phase I effort will include prototype plans to be developed under Phase II. PHASE II: Mature the design of key photonic integrated sub-systems including breadboard demonstration of microwave photonics extension modules and brassboard demonstration of multi-functional microwave photonic sensor. Prepare a maturation and system integration plan leading to a future fielded system. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Demonstrate the functionality of the brassboard microwave photonic sensor using a higher-order modulation protocol to both transmit and receive the communication signal. Execute a fielded demonstration of the microwave photonic sensor technology in an environment relevant to the end use case. This technology supports emerging commercial radar and communication infrastructure in operating in the 1 40 GHz frequency spectrum. REFERENCES: 1. Sefler, G. A. "Demonstration of speckle-based compressive sensing system for recovering RF signals." Opt. Ex., vol. 26, no. 17, 2018, pp. 21390-21402. https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.26.021390 2. Fortier, T. M.; Quinlan, F.; Hati, A.; Nelson, C.; Taylor, J. A.; Fu, Y.; Campbell, J. & Diddams, S. A. "Photonic microwave generation with high-power photodiodes." Opt. Lett., vol. 38, no. 10, 2013, pp. 1712-1714. https://doi.org/10.1364/OL.38.001712 3. Quinlan, F.; Baynes, F. N.; Fortier, T. M.; Zhou, Q.; Cross, A.; Campbell, J. C. & Diddams, S. A. "Optical amplification and pulse interleaving for low-noise photonic microwave generation." Opt. Lett., vol. 39, no. 6, 2014, pp. 1581-1584. https://doi.org/10.1364/OL.39.001581 4. Liu, Y.; McLemore, C. A.; Kelleher, M.; Lee, D.; Nakamura, T. et al. "Thermal-noise-limited, compact optical reference cavity operated without a vacuum enclosure." arXiv:2307.04758 [physics.ins-det], 2023. https://doi.org/10.1109/IPC57732.2023.10360652 5. Borlaug, D. B.; Estrella, S.; Boone, C. T. et al. "Photonic integrated circuit based compressive sensing radio frequency receiver using waveguide speckle." Opt. Ex., vol. 29, no. 13, 2021, pp. 19222-19239. https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.408565 KEYWORDS: Multi-functional, Photonics-enabled microwave sensor; Electronic warfare; Signal intelligence; Ultra-wideband radar; Compressive sensing; Low phase noise systems