The OZ18xx is an indoor flange mount RF over fiber module that transports RF frequencies up to 60 GHz with high spurious free dynamic range (SFDR). The OZ18xx may be configured as a broadband RF/Microwave over fiber transmitter, receiver, or transceiver (transmitter + receiver). The OZ18xx is part of Optical Zonu’s family of high frequency form factors, has a wide dynamic range, and supports RF/Microwave transport in situations where transport distance or flexibility of cabling may prohibit the use of coaxial cable.

The OZ18xx transmitter features a linear optically isolated high power, low noise, cooled DFB laser diode operating at 1310 nm or 1550 nm for frequencies < 20 GHz. Higher frequencies are achieved with an externally modulated configuration. A high power, low RIN, cooled DFB laser diode serves as a CW source laser and RF modulation is applied to an external modulator. Receivers feature a high performance InGaAs photodiode. Integrated WDMs within the module allow for bidirectional signal traffic over a single fiber. The cooled laser diode is designed with a built-in Thermoelectric Cooler (TEC) which maintains the laser device at a constant temperature, over the ambient operating temperature range. By maintaining a constant laser diode temperature, laser noise is minimized and RF performance is maintained over the operating temperature range. The transmitter optical output power is also maintained at a constant level by means of closed loop control.

The OZ18xx RF interface is 50 Ω SMA, K, or V (for higher frequencies). The standard optical interface is FC/APC bulkhead receptacle (SC/APC is also available). LEDs provide local transmitter and/or receiver status. The OZ18xx is powered from +12 VDC. Contact Optical Zonu for additional options.

Optional I2C communication may be enabled to integrate OZ18xx into Managed RFoF. IP-67 rated outdoor enclosures and J-Chassis plug-in module form factors are also available.

Inline digital attenuators enable both transmitter and receiver RF gain control. Both Manual Gain adjust (MGC) and closed loop Automatic Gain Control (AGC) are supported in the fiber transmitters and receivers. MGC and AGC modes enable optimization of spurious free dynamic range (SFDR), noise figure, linearity (P1dB and IIP3), and RF gain over a wide variety of optical loss budgets and RF signal levels. Built-in RF shielding supports low EMI/RF interference.

Transmitters feature linear uncooled isolated DFB laser diodes. CWDM wavelengths are available. Average Automatic Power Control (AAPC) provides closed loop control of the transmitter optical output power over the full operating temperature range. Receivers feature high performance InGaAs photodiodes. The standard transport RF frequency band is 30 – 3,000 MHz. Options exist for extending the frequency range to 1 MHz on the lower end and 6 GHz on the higher end. The RF interface is 50Ω SMA. SC/APC optical fiber pigtails are standard to maintain low optical reflections throughout the fiber plant. Contact Optical Zonu for other options. Standard transport is over 9/125 μm single mode fiber, however Multimode fiber transport is also an option (contact Optical Zonu for details).

The OZ20x module power and digital interface is provided on an industry standard USB-C connector. Monitoring and control are via a USB, I2C, or UART physical interface. LEDs provide local status of fiber transmitter and receiver. OZ20x modules are powered from 6.5 VDC.

OZ20x transmitter and receiver modules may be integrated into 19” rack mounted architectures to provide very dense RF over fiber transport. Up to 64 transmitter and/or receiver modules can be fit into a 19” 3RU J3U Chassis by utilizing the J3U plug-in modules. (see the J3U Quad Transport Datasheet). RF links may also be optimized for transporting low phase noise reference clocks in the frequency range 10 – 200 MHz.