Paper 14040-13
Paper 14040-13
NIR hybrid receivers for defense, detection, and communication
29 April 2026 • 12:10 PM - 12:30 PM EDT | Chesapeake 5
Abstract
Optimizing the architecture of a NIR optical receiver can significantly enhance detection performance. Achieving this improvement requires a detailed understanding of the photodetector’s intrinsic characteristics—such as gain, excess noise, capacitance - as well as the constraints imposed by the chosen assembly technology, whether implemented with discrete PCB components or through hybrid integration. These factors ultimately define the fundamental noise-bandwidth compromise that governs overall receiver sensitivity. This paper examines the impact of key design parameters on InGaAs avalanche-photodiode-based receivers, outlining how topology, biasing, and front-end electronics influence system-level performance. Three receiver families are presented, each optimized for specific mission profiles: defend, detect, and communicate. Potential customization paths for enhanced sensitivity, extended bandwidth, or improved environmental robustness are also discussed to guide future development.
Presenter
CMC Electronics, Inc. (Canada)
Frédéric Laforce serves as an Engineering Manager within the Optoelectronics Group at CMC Electronics in Montréal, where he specializes in the development of hybrid optoelectronic receivers for defense and aerospace applications. He holds a master’s degree in electrical engineering and brings more than two decades of experience in optoelectronics, with established expertise in low‑noise transimpedance amplifier design, photodetector physics, hybrid microcircuit integration, and high‑speed optical transceiver technologies. In his current role, he oversees the development of InGaAs receiver modules and multi‑channel architectures that enable advanced precision‑sensing and laser‑based systems.