Optical Delay Lines
RFOptic’s Optical Delay Line (ODL) series provides high-performance solutions for test and calibration of radar systems and for RF communication systems. This semi-custom line of products is based on the three RFoF series: RFoF programmable, RFoF Ultra and RFoF HSFDR. ODL products cover the corresponding frequency bands from 1MHz and up including the L, S, C, X, Ku, K, Ka, and V bands. Custom delay values are available from 0.5ns up to 1ms and may be fixed delay or a progressive sequence of delays featuring custom start, stop and step delay values. Standard 3U 19″ rack mountable progressive ODL features front panel manual control and display. Multiple 3U enclosures may be necessary for high delay values. Mini-ODL is an alternative enclosure when delay values are under 32µs. Delay may be expressed as distance or altitude/range for Altimeter Optical Delay Lines.
The Optical Delay Line (ODL) provides a true time delay of wideband RF signals using low-loss optical fiber. The Input RF signal is converted to an optical signal, delayed by one or more single-mode optical fiber sections, and is converted back into an RF signal at the output. Amplification is added as needed to achieve the necessary RF performance.
Use the RFQ form to complete a definition of an ODL or ALT ODL requirement. The form prompts specify the properties of the desired ODL, including:
- Frequency range
- Zero state, bypass option
- RF input power, max. receiver bandwidth
- Gain
- Delay switching speed, control
- Enclosure, power
- Other requirements
Once we receive these requirements, we will build your unique system based on optimized design which is tailored to your application.
ODLs are customized and typically used in labs or production line settings. They can have a fixed delay or configured to form up to 224 delays using up to 24 predefined time delay values in a single ODL. RFOptic provides various Optical Delay Line configurations that can support delays from a few ns up to 1000μs or more. ODL’s can be controlled remotely by software or manually through a navigation switch and LCD display. Management done using our M&C software.
To see our ODL in action, watch this video..
- Delays 0.5ns to 1000μs or more (excluding the ODL Zero state delay)
- Frequencies: 1MHz to 6GHz or 100MHz to 67GHz
- Delay accuracy 1% std for delays > 0.5 μs, 0.5% and 0.1% available.
- Displays Delay, Round-trip Distance, Range, and Altitude
- Delay switching rate <10ms or other switching rates available
- USB or Ethernet control API for automatic testing
- Customized solution, optimal design and a short delivery time
Managed remotely over Ethernet, USB or manually via a navigation switch
