UAV

UAV Product Overview

Small unmanned airborne platforms have inherent restrictions on weight and volume. Hence, these parameters are the predominant design drivers for UAV sensor developments. Elcom was founded on our ability to produce oscillators and ruggedized synthesizers with low power consumption, reduced weight and smaller than average form factors. The efficiency of our designs and compact topologies provide us with a competitive advantage that is driving the growth of the company for the next decade.

This legacy of low power consumption and optimized footprint aligns well with the requirements in UAV applications. Additional Elcom competencies in low phase noise, small step size and fast tuning speed across wide bandwidths increases our ability to meet the demanding RF requirements of the UAV market. Our internal HALT/ HASS chamber provides the necessary analysis and test capabilities to meet the rigors of UAV environmental conditions. Our previous experience with rotary wing aircraft helped accelerate our learning curve and resulted in the production of frequency sources for Global Hawk and other airborne platforms.

Application

Elcom’s RS series of ruggedized synthesizers, configured in hermetically sealed housings, are currently deployed on UAV platforms. These designs are offered in varying size and capability. Typically, the Elcom frequency synthesizer serves as the LO frequency for upconversion and downconversion in an RF transceiver. Frequency ranges vary from narrowband (8.8 – 8.9 GHz) to broadband (1-23 GHz). Depending on the design, DC power consumption can range from 5 W to 20 W. The RS series of ruggedized PLL synthesizers is qualified for 70,000 feet altitude and it displays spurious levels of -80 dBc, maximum, with switching speeds below 50 microseconds. Performance up to 40 GHz is possible in custom designs.

Technology

• Proprietary VCO provides ultra low phase noise, wide operating temperature range, small size, low power and fast tuning speed compared to YIG based product.
• Advanced single loop PLL frequency synthesizers with proprietary FPGA based implementation.
• Modular design permits integration of AM, FM, pulse and fast attenuation (up to 120 dB) modulation capability.
• High reliability design and manufacturing processes utilize HALT / HASS design verification and production control.
• Ultra-fast direct analog and DDS provides up to 50 nanosecond tuning time for direct frequency synthesizer configurations.

Products

RS-WMFS

The RS-WMFS is a wide band military synthesizer, offering bands from 1-23 GHz in bands up to 6 GHz wide, and features step sizes of less than 1 Hz. The unit also features a switching speed of less than 1 ms, low spurious (-60) and low power consumption (10 watts typical). This small package is hermetically sealed and ruggedized for military application. Typical phase noise is -85 dBc @ 100 KHz offset @ 10 GHz.

Download RS-WMFS Series Datasheet

LNMFS

The LNMFS family of modular sub-octave coverage frequency synthesizers achieves exceptionally low phase noise in a rugged, compact package. Within the LNMFS, basic PLL indirect synthesizer architecture is enhanced using DDS and FPGA technology. This allows small step size and low spurious output levels to be achieved with moderate switching speed. The serial interface simplifies designing the synthesizer for any system application.

Download LNMFS-1103

*Export of Elcom Technologies, Inc. products is subject to U.S. export controls.
Licenses may be required.