PASADENA, Calif., 25 Sept. 2008. OEwaves Inc. in Pasadena, Calif., will develop a prototype small, efficient wideband electro-optical resonator modulator for radio frequency (RF) receiver front-end applications under terms of a contract from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), which is under supervision of the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in Arlington, Va.

OEwaves will prototype the electro-optical resonator modulator and integrate it with an all-dielectric antenna for the radio front end in attempts to design radio frequency equipment able to withstand the effects of electromagnetic radiation such as the electromagnetic pulse (EMP) byproduct of nuclear explosions or directed-energy weapons.

The UCLA All Dielectric Non-Electronic Radio Front End (ADNERF) effort, which is part of the DARPA Electro-Magnetic Pulse Tolerant Microwave Receiver Front-End (EMPIRE) program.

OEwaves's micro-resonator technology is an important element in the sensitive non-electronic receiver front-end architecture necessary for advanced radar and defense communication systems against intense electromagnetic radiation. The electro-optical modulator is based on the technology of crystalline whispering gallery mode (WGM) optical resonators.

"This award demonstrates yet another application based on OEwaves' proprietary WGM micro-resonator technology," says David Seidel, Vice President of Product Development of OEwaves Inc. "We're delighted to cooperate with UCLA on this special DARPA program."

Applications for high performance electro-optical resonator modulator-based microwave photonic receiver front ends extend beyond electromagnetic damage-tolerant radar, electronic warfare (EW), and signals intelligence (SIGINT) system requirements, and include space, satellite, and commercial microwave communications.

For more information contact OEwaves online at www.oewaves.com.