Optisys antennas ushering in new capabilities for National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO)

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) and Optisys have entered a partnership to develop the next generation of RF telescope technology to further investigate the secrets of our Universe.

· NRAO and Optisys partner to develop future RF telescope technology

· Optisys selected over other traditional and non-traditional suppliers due to enhanced performance

· Optisys a technology enabler for future NRAO missions

Salt Lake, UTAH, [16th February 2022 9.00ET / 14.00GMT]: In the pursuit of seeing further and more accurately into the depths of the big beyond, the NRAO has turned to the unique and ground-breaking capabilities of Optisys, a worldwide leader in the design and production of metal 3D-printed antennas and RF systems.

Optisys’ design capability allows for the smallest SWaP RF products, which further decreases the losses, and increases the stability, of the antennas used in such apparatus. These are highly favourable attributes in radio astronomy, especially when the antenna is required to be operated at cryogenic temperatures. The unique nature of Optisys technology, being so highly integrated, and not requiring plating of any kind to provide excellent performance, means it is the perfect candidate to be the basis of the next generation of increased range and higher-accuracy, land and space-based radio telescopes.

A series of trials pitting Optisys' capabilities against other traditionally and non-traditionally produced antennas identified Optisys as the clear winner in SWaP, performance, stability, and other areas. These trials led to a new partnership between Optisys and NRAO.

Tony Beasley, Director of NRAO said, “Understanding the Universe requires us to push the limits of science, technology, and knowledge. CDL has been at the forefront of this effort in radio astronomy for decades, and with the help of Optisys, will continue to lead the industry in innovative solutions.”

Both the NRAO and Optisys are extremely excited about the potential of where Optisys’ design capability will assist in shedding light into our Universe’s birth and inner workings. Traditionally designed and manufactured RF solutions have a restriction in their capability that limits the scope of information that can be detected by a single telescope. Optisys’ advanced antenna capability is expected to expand that scope, leading to a richer and more defined dataset.

“Science requirements are always pushing the limits of technology, so we need to invest in innovative technologies with the potential to break through current performance barriers,” said Bert Hawkins, Director of NRAO’s Central Development Laboratory (CDL). “3D-printed electromagnetic devices can have all sorts of shapes, structures, and designs that would be impossible to make with traditional machining techniques. NRAO’s new partnership with Optisys has the potential to lead to the development of devices with the ability to outperform those currently used in radio astronomy.”

“All areas of RF applications are benefiting from Optisys’ advanced capability,” commented Janos Opra, Optisys CEO. “Whether it be communication, radar, directed energy or radio astronomy, we are incredibly excited about our involvement in all RF industries. Our partnership with the NRAO is not only good for Optisys, the NRAO or the RF industry, but will provide insight and knowledge for the sustained benefit of all humankind.”

A white paper, describing the testing conducted will be published later this year.

Optisys is undergoing enormous expansion with many job roles available in program, RF, mechanical and support disciplines. Interested parties should visit our careers page on our website to find out more. (www.optisys.com/careers)

About NRAO

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a federally funded research and development center of the United States National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc for the purpose of radio astronomy.

About Optisys

Optisys, LLC is a privately-owned revolutionary RF design and metal additive manufacturing company. Optisys’ unique approach allows us to create highly integrated antenna and radar products that achieve extremely low SWaP. Optisys' has a wide product line ranging from feeds to phased arrays, for antenna and radar applications from sea to space.

Optisys opens UK HQ

• Due to enormous customer demand, Optisys has opened an office in the UK to better serve its customers locally.

Salt Lake, USA, and London, UK [Thursday 10th June]: Optisys is pleased to announce it has opened an office in the South East of England to better support its current customers in the UK and EU, as our space and defence endeavours in the region increase substantially.

Optisys, a worldwide leader in designing advanced antenna technology, utilises metal additive manufacturing to produce ultra-integrated, low SWaP Radio Frequency products.

The uptake of our revolutionary approach, and unprecedented customer demand, has facilitated the opening of a local office. This action ensures these programmes can be supported efficiently as well as encouraging further collaboration within the commercial and defence industries in general.

“Optisys LTD will not just be a sales office,” commented Adam Arnold, Vice President of Optisys UK, “We want to tap into the excellent RF expertise, and 3d printing support, the UK and EU has to offer us. This will create jobs that will further develop our future technology and processes, to the benefit of our worldwide customers.”

Optisys ambitions to become a leading player in the antenna market is being funded by excellent sales performance from the industries’ realisation of the benefit of its next generation RF products has to offer past, current and future platforms from sea to space.

“This is a natural expansion for our enterprise,” stated Optisys CEO Janos Opra, “the UK and EU have always been very keen to adopt our technology because they really see the benefit over traditional technology. Our goals in the region and the market demand are in complete lockstep and we are looking forward to cementing relationships and exploiting opportunities.”

About Optisys

Optisys, LLC is a privately-owned revolutionary RF design and metal additive manufacturing company. Optisys unique approach allows us to create highly integrated antenna and radar products that achieve extremely low SWaP. Optisys' has a wide product line ranging from feeds to phased arrays, for antenna and radar applications from sea to space.

Optisys selected to supply the entire return link antenna system for upcoming Lunar lander mission

Masten Space Systems XL-1 Lunar lander

• Optisys will provide a space-qualified, turnkey antenna system to transmit data from the lunar surface

Salt Lake, UTAH, [27th April 2021]: Optisys is pleased to announce it has been selected by Masten Space Systems to provide the return link antenna system for Masten’s upcoming mission to the Moon.

The Optisys antenna system will fly aboard Masten’s XL-1 lunar lander, which is scheduled to land at the Lunar South Pole as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services program. The XL-1 will deliver NASA and commercial payloads to assess the composition of the lunar surface and demonstrate new technologies that will be critical to humanity’s sustained presence on the Moon.

Optisys has a revolutionary RF product design capability and uses metal additive manufacturing to produce those designs. This allows Optisys to fully integrate many components and aspects of antenna systems into a very small, lightweight, and efficient package, saving valuable weight on spacecraft.

Optisys has been selected to provide the full communications system, which will include everything from the radiating element to the control electronics and software.

“This project is a demonstration of Optisys’ excellent space system design capability,” commented Optisys CEO Janos Opra. “Being able to integrate so much of the RF and wider system will provide the smallest, lightest, and most integrated package available on the market.”

About Optisys

Optisys, LLC is a privately-owned revolutionary RF design and metal additive manufacturing company. Optisys’ unique approach allows us to create highly integrated antenna and radar products that achieve extremely low SWaP. Optisys has a broad product line ranging from feeds to phased arrays for antenna and radar applications from sea to space.