6U VXS RF and microwave module based on OpenRFM open-systems guidelines offered by Mercury
CHELMSFORD, Mass., 21 May 2015. Mercury Systems Inc. in Chelmsford, Mass., is introducing the open-systems Ensemble RFM-1RS18 RF and microwave tuner for electronic warfare (EW) applications that use board-based RF and microwave components and embedded computing for on-board digital signal processing.
Mercury engineers developed the RFM-1RS18 tuner using building blocks that adhere to OpenRFM guidelines, use a modular, open-architecture approach, standardizing the electromechanical, software, control plane, and thermal interfaces to streamline the design, integration, and testing of RF and digital capabilities within sensor processing systems.
Mercury developed OpenRFM for open-systems digital and RF and microwave convergence, spectrum-fusion and maneuverability, complementary system interoperability, and affordability.
OpenRFM design principles are compatible with prevailing embedded computing industry standards, including 3U and 6U form factor OpenVPX and VXS/VME for EW and signals intelligence (SIGINT) applications.
OpenRFM's interoperable RF and microwave and digital building blocks enable sensor processing subsystems to be developed and deployed more quickly, Mercury officials say.
The modularity of OpenRFM building blocks enables them to be quickly deployed in a wide variety of configurations across several programs and applications, and enable systems integrators to configure advanced EW systems quickly and affordably, Mercury officials say.
The Ensemble RFM-1RS18 tuner integrates three rugged OpenRFM modules into one-width, 6U VXS package. Each package is comprised of a wideband front-end tuner spanning a range of 0.5 to 18.0 GHz, a quad-converter that delivers four IF outputs and a synthesizer to ensure coherent outputs from the converter.
Each tuner combines a high-channel density, derived from OpenRFM's three modules per slot approach with wide, near-instantaneous bandwidth capability, ultra-fast tuning speed, and low-phase noise performance all within a low-SWaP package.
For more information contact Mercury Systems online at www.mrcy.com.
John Keller | Editor
John Keller is editor-in-chief of Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine, which provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronic and optoelectronic technologies in military, space, and commercial aviation applications. A member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since the magazine's founding in 1989, Mr. Keller took over as chief editor in 1995.
