Dr Muhammad Nouman Malik working at PPM

Pulse Power and Measurement (PPM) is teaming up with a leading U.K. university as its looks to develop what it calls a new approach to technology used in the radio-over-fiber communications industry, particularly in the Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) arena. PPM announced details of this collaboration, Feb. 25. The project will look to transform the connection between LEO satellite antenna dishes and modems through optics rather than electronics, in order to deliver performance and cost benefits.

PPM designs and manufactures a wide range of radio frequency (RF) over fiber systems, which allow RF electrical signals to be submitted over fiber optic cables. Its ViaLite Communications business division is focused on optical transportation and manipulation of analog radio communication signals used in applications such as satellite communications, telemetry, broadcasting, cellular base stations, and radar.

PPM will work with students at Aston University through a knowledge transfer partnership, a collaboration between a business, an academic partner and a  qualified graduate. The U.K.-wide program helps businesses to improve their competitiveness and productivity through the better use of knowledge, technology and skills.

“This KTP project has been a great way for us to work with a new industrial partner and learn from PPM’s expertise in radio-over-fiber systems while passing on our optical fiber systems knowledge. Despite the problems posed to mobility by the pandemic, we’ve successfully completed collaborative proof-of-concept lab demonstrations in the first year of the project and are now moving onto the next phase of the development work,” Dr Paul Harper, head of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Aston University, said in a statement.