Optical Zonu’s GNSS/GPS Over Fiber modules and links provide a simple, cost-effective, and reliable RF connection between the GNSS antenna and receivers in those situations where transport distance, excessive signal splitting, or flexibility of cabling may prohibit the use of coaxial cable. The GNSS Over Fiber link is wideband and supports any of the global timing/ location satellite frequencies – GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, and IRNSS.

Packaged in a rugged dust-tight cast metal housing, fiber transmitters feature linear optically isolated DFB laser diodes, fiber receivers feature high performance InGaAs photodiodes. All CWDM wavelengths are available for signal transport. A low noise +20 dB pre-amplifier (LNA) in the fiber transmitter provides added gain for low received power satellite signals. A Bias-T in the fiber transmitter provides 5V on the RF input center pin to power active antennas.

Fiber modules may be configured for point-to-point GNSS/GPS transport, or the fiber transmitter output may be split/broadcast to multiple fiber receivers in multiple locations. The repeater configuration of the of the modules provides a means to “daisy-chain” modules for distribution through tunnels and mines, along railways, etc. Dual GNSS/GPS fiber receiver modules facilitate Optical Zonu’s GPS antenna redundancy architectures. See the Optical Zonu GPS Application Note for additional information.

GNSS/GPS fiber transport modules feature Optical Zonu’s patented Antenna Load Propagation feature (US 10,257,739 B1). If a fault occurs at the antenna or fiber transmitter, an active DC antenna load at the fiber receiver RF output switches to high impedance. NTP servers and GNSS/GPS receivers may then respond accordingly.

The standard optical connector is SC/ APC. The RF interface is 50 Ohm SMA. Alarm, monitoring, and 12 VDC powering is via a DB9 connector. LEDs provide status of laser bias current (transmitter) and received optical power (receiver). Standard transport is over 9/125 μm single mode fiber, however multimode fiber transport is also an option (contact Optical Zonu). An IP67 outdoor version (TLx) of the fiber transmitter is also available.