TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Air Platform, Information Systems, Electronics

OBJECTIVE: Develop and demonstrate innovative analysis, modeling, and optimization tools and approaches that can characterize the complex interactions between optical network components.

DESCRIPTION: Single-mode optical fiber based dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) optical networks are well established as a leading solution for data communication links for commercial long distance telecommunications.

Due to a great potential for weight reduction, the Navy is investigating the use of DWDM optical networks for avionics applications. Weight savings can be achieved simply by converting a copper link to glass. With DWDM, that weight reduction is multiplied for each additional wavelength overlaid on a single optical fiber. Additionally, these DWDM networks provide the promise of future upgradeability to hundreds of independent wavelengths over the International Communications Union (ICU) C-band, L-band, and possibly X-band or beyond similar to that which the commercial market is achieving. Yet an additional potential avionics benefit includes the possibility of being able to carry independent applications as well as to isolate different security levels.

Current state of the art modeling tools for optical networks have been developed around long length telecommunication networks where dispersion and non-linearities are key limitations. Local area networks are shorter in length with lots of connections which result in unique limitations. These include loss which must be overcome by significantly more gain than typical long distance systems, signal denigration resulting from passing through a larger number of nodes before signal regeneration, and impact of multi path interference resulting from the reflections from a higher number of interfaces (e.g. from connectors) than are present in telecommunications network which are fused together eliminating return loss or utilize high return loss connectors.

Innovative analysis, modeling, and optimization tools are sought to overcome the above limitations so that the designers of a next generation wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) local area network (LAN) (e.g. draft SAE AS5659) have the necessary design tools. Proposed tools should be verified through focused experimentation and limited test bed application. The developed tools will be used to characterize alternative fiber optic wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) network architectures and control methodologies for aerospace platforms, whereby multiple optical wavelengths simultaneously transmit broadband signals via optical fiber throughout the airframe.

PHASE I: Determine the complex optical network component interactions for development based on the limitations identified above, develop an innovative modeling approach for next generation WDM LANs to address the identified limitations, and demonstrate the feasibility of the tools for practical application. Propose a process for verification for the developed tools.

PHASE II: Based on the results of the Phase I effort, develop a prototype of the modeling tool. Design and execute limited experimentation to demonstrate the accuracy of the developed tools. Ensure that the test bed is applicable to the development activities of an industry standard open architecture (e.g. SAE AS5659).

PHASE III: Complete the development effort and transition the design tools into commercially available products applicable to general purpose avionic platform networking for Naval application.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: The general purpose WDM network is anticipated to provide highly integrated connectivity for short distance application. This is the same need that the commercial data communications world has. The long distance telecommunication network commercial world has already demonstrated commercial success of the existing modeling tools which apply to the long distance market. The next logical extension of WDM technology is to the short distance data communications market (which looks a lot like an aerospace platform) as the bandwidth needs at short length exceed the capability of copper. Consequently, the design tools developed under this topic will directly apply to the development needs for this market.

REFERENCES:
1. Habiby, S.F. Presented at the Avionics, Fiber-Optics and Photonics Conference, 2006 IEEE: "Advances in WDM LAN Standards Development for Aerospace Applications," 20-21. Annapolis, MD. DOI: 10.1109/AVFOP.2006.1707480

2. Krug, W.P., Etemact, S., & Habiby, S. Presented at the Avionics, Fiber-Optics and Photonics Technology Conference, 2007 IEEE: "Optics for Information Assurance on Platforms." Victoria, BC. DOI: 10.1109/AVFOP.2007.4365732

3. Mazurowski, J., Hackert, M., Habiby, S., & Martinec, D. (2005). Presented at the Avionics, Fiber-Optics and Photonics Conference, 2005 IEEE: "Progress in the development of a mil/aero WDM backbone standard," 9-10. Minneapolis, MN. DOI: 10.1109/AVFOP.2005.1514131

4. Society of Automotive Engineers document AIR6005: "General Requirements for Wavelength Division Multiplexed (WDM) Backbone Networks". 2009.

5. Society of Automotive Engineers document AS5659: "Wavelength Division Multiplexed (WDM) Backbone Networks Specification".

KEYWORDS: Fiber Optics; Networking; Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM); Avionics; Standardization; LAN

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