Syntonics Awarded DOD SBIR Contract for Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR)COLUMBIA, MD May 23, 2005 . . . Syntonics LLC, based in Columbia, Md., announced today it has been awarded a contract to investigate the feasibility of an innovative OTDR for the Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland. The contract was awarded under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program managed by the U.S. Navy. Syntonics has teamed with the Fiber & Electro-Optics Research Center of Virginia Tech for this work.

The Navy needs a sensitive handheld Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) capable working with the optical fibers that are used in naval aircraft. Current handheld OTDR devices are used to locate breaks in the long optical fibers used in telephone and computer networks, but they do not operate properly with short fibers or with enough sensitivity to locate minor flaws. Syntonics is studying the feasibility of an innovative OTDR that takes advantage of RF-over-fiber technology similar to that used in Syntonics' FORAX RF-over-fiber communications products.

"This is Syntonics' eighth SBIR project in the past four years," said Bruce Montgomery, president, Syntonics, "and the fifth with a Navy command. The Navy takes seriously the opportunity to procure cutting-edge technology from small companies and their SBIR program stimulates the best in American technology. Our first product line, FORAX, is a direct result of the SBIR program and we are optimistic that our concept for a next-generation OTDR can become a successful future product for Syntonics."

Syntonics designs, develops, and manufactures specialty military RF communications equipment and accessories, notably RF-over-fiber products and innovative antennas. For more information on Syntonics and its products, please see the company's website at www.SyntonicsCorp.com.