GaAs-based Uncooled Integrated Compact Analog Transmitter

In response to the Navy need for an uncooled optical transmitter operating at a wavelength near 1 micrometer, Applied Optronics (AO) proposes to develop a GaAs-based Uncooled Integrated Compact Analog Transmitter (UNICAT), comprised of the following integrated components: a frequency-stabilized high-power laser, an integrated high-speed modulator, and power optical amplifier. By using GaAs platform, UNICAT will be able to achieve full RF transmitter functionality in temperature range -40 0C to 100 0C with high power >100 mW, low noise <-160 dB/Hz, and low modulator Vp < 2 V. All components of the UNICAT system are based on GaAs material and therefore they can be fabricated using conventional semiconductor process steps, permitting inexpensive production and further integration. In Phase I, AO will perform the feasibility study of the proposed UNICAT technology via comprehensive system modeling and proof-of-concept laboratory experiments, with the expected technology maturity equivalent to TRL-3 at the end of the project. In the course of Phase II, we will develop an improved UNICAT design and demonstrate a TRL-5 integrated uncooled optical transmitter prototype.