N12A-T005 TITLE: High-Speed Electronically Tunable Fiber Optic Wavelength Filter

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Air Platform, Information Systems

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: JSF

OBJECTIVE: Develop a high-speed, loss-free, electronically controlled tunable fiber-optic filter for avionic wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) applications.

DESCRIPTION: Reducing weight and space is a major concern of the avionic environment. One approach to reducing weight and size (as well as increasing system bandwidth and connectivity) is to replace the current system of numerous point-to-point links with a robust fiber-optic WDM network. WDM is a routing method whereby several data streams are multiplexed and transmitted over the same optical fiber cable. After transmission over fiber, the wavelengths are de-multiplexed and sent to different receivers . A high-speed tunable filter could be used to select across all wavelengths, retrieving and routing the data to specific receivers based on the tuning frequency of the filter. A wide range of tunable filters has been developed, however current tuning mechanisms, including thermal and mechanical stress , are limited to millisecond range tuning speeds. For avionic applications, the tunable filter must operate from -40 to +100�C and tuning speed must be 1 microsecond or less across the C-band of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) wavelength grid. With a microsecond switching speed , tunable filters could also be used as a routing element to control network traffic.

PHASE I: Develop an innovative tunable filter concept. Demonstrate the feasibility of the design via modeling and simulation.

PHASE II: Demonstrate the operation of a prototype tunable filter over a -40 to 100�C temperature range. Design and optimize the tunable filter package and tuning/control circuits.

PHASE III: Conduct environmental testing for tunable wavelength filter. Develop plan for mass production and transition into a WDM network for Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: Large-scale WDM networks are used by communication companies for high-bandwidth applications such as Fiber to the Home or Fiber to the Office.

REFERENCES:
1. Iocco, A., Limberger, H.G., Salathe, R.P., Everall, L.A., Chisholm, K.E., Williams, J.A.R., & Bennion, I. (1999). Bragg Grating Fast Tunable Filter for Wavelength Division Multiplexing. Journal of Lightwave Technology, 17(7) 1217.

2. Mahmoud, M., & Ghassemlooy, Z. (2003). Tunable Fiber Bragg Gratings Modeling and Simulation. Proceedings of the 36th Annual Simulation Symposium.

3. Girard, A. (2000). Guide to WDM Technology and Testing: A Unique Reference for the Fiber-Optic Industry. Quebec City, Canada: EXFO Electro-Optical Engineering Inc.

4. Huang, Y., Ma, J., & Ho, S. (2007, September 16). Integrated High Speed Tunable Filter Based on Super Compact Grating. Frontiers in Optics, p.FWR6. http://www.opticsinfobase.org/abstract.cfm?uri=FiO-2007-FWR6

KEYWORDS: Fiber Optics; Tunable Filter; Analog; Digital; WDM networking

Questions may also be submitted through DoD SBIR/STTR SITIS website.