Request for Information - RFoF.pdf

Radio Frequency over Fiber Demonstration

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes - it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This request for information does not commit the

Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Respondents are advised that the

U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued.

A Department of the Air Force Program Office is seeking manufacturers, distributors or resellers for the following capability:

RFoF Requirements

▪ RFoF solution must be capable of passing L-band frequencies (Table 1) from SHF antenna’s Low Noise Block(s) assembly to an RF capable matrix switch via fiber optic cable for a minimum threshold distance of 300 meters, with a desired distance of 1 kilometer or more.

Output MHz

LNBs Start End

C-band 950 1750

X-band 950 1450

Ku-band Low 950 1950

Ku-band High 950 2000

Ka-band 1 950 1950

Ka-band 2 950 1950

Ka-band 3 950 1950

Ka-band 4 950 1950

Ka-band 5 950 1950

Table 1: LNB Output frequencies by band

▪ Fiber runs must not utilize metallic or conductive shielding or guide wire(s)

▪ Solution must also support 2 instances of RFoF capable of passing UHF signals in the

220-380 MHz range, either with the same equipment or different.

▪ Solution must also support at least 1 GPS over Fiber capable of providing 5V power to the Microsemi GPS antenna and passing L1 (1575.42 MHz) and L2 (1227.60 MHz) frequency ranges at minimum. L5 (1176 MHz) may (objective) be supported as well.

▪ RFoF solution may (objective) include a second, redundant, fiber path for GPS over

Fiber.

▪ Solution must, scalably, support most commercially available SHF antennas; solution is expected to be fielded at multiple sites, with each site consisting of a mix of antennas from various vendors with up to 64, or more, total RF paths.

▪ RFoF solution must not negatively impact signal quality (>-1 decibles of signal loss, and

>> 2f sampling rate for reconstruction of signals); latency on all fiber runs from antenna to matrix switch must be identical with fixed fiber length. Additionally, clearly state whether proposed solution requires all fiber runs to be the same length or maximum deviation in timing based on distance.

▪ RFoF must support LNB Powering with at least 500mA of power available per RF path with switchable voltage of at least 13V and 18V as well as a toggleable 22kHz tone.

▪ RFoF must also be able to transmit an external 10 MHz reference signal over fiber from reference clock to the outdoor RFoF equipment with high phase stability and low phase noise. RFoF must support inject of 10 Mhz reference signal onto the RF path to the LNB.

Each 10 MHz over Fiber must be able to be coherently injected onto at least 3 RF paths per device.

▪ RFoF must (threshold) support 3 (or more) antennas per device at antenna farm. RFoF may (objective) support multiple RF paths per fiber optic input to a remotely located shelter.

▪ RFoF must (threshold) support APC connector types to minimize reflection. FC/APC connections preferred (objective).

▪ RFoF multiplexing and demultiplexing (if implemented, objective) must have consistent time delays across all paths.

▪ RFoF must support TCP/IP satellite dish control signals (via fiber) to various antennas.

▪ RFoF must interface with existing antennas to perform the functions of the equipment string highlighted in figure 1. Current solution utilizes (N-type LMR-240/400) to a matrix switch with both standard (passive) and variable gain (active) RF Input Modules with 50

Ohm SMA connections according to figure 2. RFoF solutions shall include all replacement components or relevant adaptors to provide capability.

Figure 1: Area of Interest for RFoF Solution

A re a o f In te re st A n te n n a C o m m an d a n d

C o n tr o l S ig n al

N ew

To S u b sy st em s

(T C

P /I

P

Figure 2: LNB to Matrix switch signal path

RFoF equipment, external to the shelter must be able to operate in harsh and variable environments and meet MIL-STD-810H standards with NEBS Level 3 and IP55 compliance and standards. Compliance and standards encompass a multitude of criteria including, but not limited, to shock testing, temperature, humidity, airborne contaminants, Electromagnetic Discharge, Electromagnetic Interference, etc.

▪ RFoF must be compatible (both internally and externally to the shelter) with a variety of power sources from 110-240V and 50-60Hz Power. Any required grounds must be easily identifiable and accessible.

Questions

a. Based on the RFoF requirements, does your product meet all requirements and specifications listed?

b. Is your product available Commercially Off the Shelf?

c. Is your product on the Air Force or DOD approved enterprise products list, or currently part of an active program of record to support Authority to Operate documentation?

d. Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) for cost of a modular and scalable RFoF solution and its associated configuration and components. Cost shall include price per item or unit price, quantity, total cost per site (scalable), shipping, and warranties.

e. ROM for power requirements of RFoF solution and its associated configuration and components.

f. ROM for weight of RFoF solution and its associated configuration and components.

g. Are there any special transportation requirements (HAZMAT, packaging, etc) for any RFoF components?

h. What is the estimated delivery timeline in days after contract award?

i. Are full documentation and 3D models of the components available for USG’s total system integration design?

j. ROM for a proof-of-concept to demonstrate threshold (and/or objective) capabilities described above integrated into existing system.

k. Any additional information you need from the Government to be able to respond to this RFI with the requested information?

Proof-of-Concept Demonstration Criteria

Acceptable responses may refine a ROM for a proof-of-concept demonstration of the designs functionality to conducted at a mutually agreed to time and location.

a. RFoF will be compared to verified system baseline on ability to calculate source of known signal accurately, by comparing margin of error to current system.

b. RFoF will be compared over Size, Weight, Power, and Cost as well as ruggedness, survivability, and overall performance and other handling requirements.