DRDO has issued a Request for Information for the development of an indigenous Omnilight Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) intended for advanced radar applications. The proposed microwave-photonics transceiver would use Radio Frequency-over-Fibre (RFoF) technology instead of conventional copper-based RF interconnections. Radar signals would be converted into optical signals and transmitted through fibre, potentially reducing cable weight while improving resistance to electromagnetic interference and electronic attack. The project calls for an eight-channel Photonic Transceiver chip combining high-speed electro-optic and opto-electronic conversion, optical multiplexing and demultiplexing, and digital communication capabilities. The planned operating range extends from 0.5 GHz to 40 GHz, covering X, Ku, K and Ka radar bands. The technology could allow radar antenna arrays positioned several kilometres from central processing equipment to communicate over fibre without significant signal degradation. Optical transmission provides inherent immunity to electromagnetic interference, while more than 40 dB of channel isolation is intended to reduce cross-channel interference. Beyond radar applications, the initiative could establish an Indian industrial ecosystem for microwave photonics chip design, packaging and manufacturing. The technology is expected to support future radar systems requiring lower size, weight, power and cost while providing greater bandwidth and signal fidelity.
