Commercial and defense applications of microwave photonics

Microwave photonics has evolved significantly in scope and technical maturity over the years [1]. Since the first pioneering experiments in the 1970´s, spurred by interest in exploiting the many benefits of optical fiber as a transmission medium for transporting analog RF signals, the field has expanded considerably and today comprises a diversity of applications. Photonic technology provides enhanced capabilities, performance improvements, as well as design flexibility for a variety of RF and microwave systems. It creates new opportunities for commercial telecommunications with fiber distribution technologies being used to provide users with very high bandwidth services. Its signal remoting and distribution capabilities, along with advanced processing functionalities, also offer the potential for increased technology insertion into military platforms. We describe some commercial and defense applications of microwave photonic technology and also discuss emerging opportunities.