Cost Effective, High Resolution, Long Working Range Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) Module
Navy SBIR FY2011.2


Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2011.2
Topic No.: N112-117
Topic Title: Cost Effective, High Resolution, Long Working Range Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) Module
Proposal No.: N112-117-1038
Firm: Agiltron Corporation
15 Presidential Way
Woburn, Massachusetts 01801-1040
Contact: Guanghai Jin
Phone: (781) 935-1200
Web Site: http://www.agiltron.com
Abstract: Agiltron proposes an OTDR module possesses the advantages of regular OTDR of low cost, compact and long working range and optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR) of no dead zone, high resolution and high dynamic range. The proposed OTDR module is based on OFDR with frequency scanning technology and Agiltron's innovative approach to break the working range limitation of coherence length of the single frequency laser. The breakthrough design significantly lowers the requirements of the performance of the single frequency tunable laser and the data acquisition, and consequently dramatically reduces the cost of the module down to affordable level. Leveraging on Agiltron's extensive experience of fiber optic components and devices fabrication, the proposed OTDR module will be designed to be robust, miniature, light weight and low power, meeting aviation support equipment requirements. The technical approach will be proven in Phase I through the system design and experimental testing. Completed plug-in OTDR module prototype of high-resolution distance to fault will be produced in Phase II for delivery to NAVY.
Benefits: Current plug-in modules for OTDR mainframes are designed primarily for the telecommunications networks with relatively long distances between interconnections. Local Area Networks (LAN) and applications for fiber optic runs directly to the end user have small distances between interconnections and a need for performing a high resolution distance to fault measurement. This same test equipment need in the commercial sector will relegate the military market to a small portion of overall sales. The difference between commercial and military product is the operational environments (the military as described in MIL-PRF-28800).

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