NEW DELHI, — The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for developing an indigenous Microwave Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) transceiver chip, known as Omnilight PIC, under the Technology Development Fund (TDF). The project aims to support radar systems used by the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force.
The proposed technology will replace conventional radio-frequency (RF) copper connections with Radio Frequency over Fiber (RFoF) technology, which converts electrical radar signals into optical signals for transmission through optical fibre. This approach can reduce cabling weight and improve resistance to electromagnetic interference.
Eight-Channel Design and Frequency Coverage
The Omnilight PIC is planned as an eight-channel Photonic Transceiver (PTR) chip integrating electrical-to-optical (E/O) and optical-to-electrical (O/E) converters, optical multiplexers and demultiplexers (MUX/DeMUX), and digital links into a compact unit.
The chip is designed to operate across 0.5 GHz to 40 GHz, covering the X, Ku, K and Ka frequency bands used in radar applications. This wide frequency range is intended to support integration into different radar architectures.
Electronic Warfare Resistance and Remote Connectivity
The proposed design specifies channel isolation greater than 40 dB to limit unwanted signal coupling between channels. Optical fibre transmission is inherently resistant to electromagnetic interference, although overall radar resistance to electronic warfare also depends on other system components.
The transceiver is intended to connect remote radar antenna arrays to central processors over fibre links spanning several kilometres. This arrangement could allow processing equipment and operator stations to be located separately from antennas, offering greater flexibility in distributed radar installations. The architecture may also support multi-beam tracking and simultaneous transmission and reception, subject to system design and validation.
Supporting Indigenous Defence Development
The project aligns with India's Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative to strengthen domestic defence technology. DRDO's Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), based in Bengaluru, has been involved in radar research and photonic technology development. Related microwave photonics work includes signal generation, distribution networks and receivers that have progressed through laboratory demonstrations and site acceptance testing in recent years.
The RFI invites industry participants and research partners to provide inputs for indigenous development. Responses can be submitted through the TDF portal according to the published requirements and timelines.
If successfully developed and qualified, the Omnilight PIC could support future airborne, naval and ground-based radar systems. Its potential benefits include reduced cabling weight, improved resistance to electromagnetic interference along optical links and more flexible connections between antenna arrays and processing equipment. Actual applications will depend on development, testing and integration into specific radar platforms.
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