Application of optical amplifiers in a microwave distribution network for phased array antennas

The analysis presented shows that optical amplifiers have the potential to offer significant advantages if they are used to amplify the microwave signals in the distribution system of large phased array antennas. The advantages are in terms of simplicity and noise performance. The distribution system with one layer of optical amplifiers allows a 42 dB power budget (SNR=113 dBc/Hz). This system can feed about 1100 T/R modules.