<title>Photonic link technology for shipboard rf signal distribution</title>

Wideband microwave/millimeter wave photonic link technology suitable for shipboard RF antenna remoting is presented. High performance 1.3 micrometers laser diode based direct modulation links with bandwidths exceeding 3 GHz, indirect modulation links to 20 GHz using Mach-Zehnder and semiconductor electroabsorption modulators, and frequency conversion links with operation beyond 40 GHz using a series modulator configuration are described. The performance currently attained by the broadband analog links makes them strong candidates to replace copper-based shipboard antenna remoting systems operating in the HF to EHF frequency range. Modulation efficiency improvements required for analog photonic links to approach RF transparency are discussed. The photonic links are suitable for insertion into both transmit and receive single- and multi-element navigation, radar, communication, and electronic warfare antenna systems.