RF Photonics For Aerospace Applications

This paper summarizes work done by the SAE AS-3A-2 RF/Analog Technology Task Group, which was formed to provide an applications guide for the incorporation of photonic components into aerospace RF systems. (The work is fully presented in SAE Aerospace Information Report AIR5601.) The paper presents some of the design considerations in the use of photonic technology in analog RF systems as well as some of the underlying component technology and major design choices involved.