N093-211 TITLE: High Channel Count Optical Slip Ring

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Ground/Sea Vehicles, Sensors, Electronics

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMS401: Navy Future Sensors & Towed Array Programs: ACAT IV

OBJECTIVE: The objective would be to develop optical slip ring technology that allowed a higher channel density than commercially available at present. The final packaging into a device capable of surviving the harsh SSN ballast tank environment would be deferred until the optical issues could be demonstrated. The optical performance of each channel is low loss (less than 3dB at 1550 nm wavelength) and minimal back reflection (<-30dB).

DESCRIPTION: The high channel count (20 to 30) slip ring is mounted on a winch in the submarine ballast tank. The slip ring is in series with optical and electrical signals that transmit between the SSN host sonar and the electrical-optical TB-33 towed array. The towed array requires two power wires and 20 optical paths. The existing Electrical-Optical slip ring has only 10 fiber channels and 2 electrical channels, which restrict the TB-33 optical architecture, putting many acoustic channels on a single fiber. In the event of a single fiber failure, the submarine may experience a system performance loss that forces it to come "off station."

PHASE I: Phase one should investigate techniques for high channel count slip ring technologies. Lenses and prisms are acceptable techniques if they promote high channel density with low loss and very low back reflection at 1550 nm wavelength. Conceptual drawings showing how the new technology might be incorporated into the existing form factor should be included to determine suitability of further development. Additionally, a single channel test of proposed approach showing progress towards optical requirements would be very beneficial.

PHASE II: Phase II would yield a working prototype slip ring that would be evaluated against performance requirements within a lab environment.

PHASE III: During Phase III, the TB-33 program would procure sufficient quantities of slip rings to meet operational outfitting of TB-33. That would be a quantity of approximately 12 the first year followed by 6-8 annually for a total of approximately 50. In addition, the vendor would be expected to support periodic refurbishment and repairs at the rate of approximately 4 units per year.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: Optical data and signals are the future of data systems. Optical slip rings can support many applications.

REFERENCES:
1. TB-33 Prime Item Development Specification

2. TB-33 EOSRA Assembly

3. OA-9070B handling system Tech Manual

KEYWORDS: Optical; Slip Ring; Handling Systems; Low-Loss; Low Back Reflection; Single mode Fiber

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

DoD Notice:   Between July 27 through August 23, 2009, you may talk directly with the Topic Authors to ask technical questions about the topics. Their contact information is listed above. For reasons of competitive fairness, direct communication between proposers and topic authors is not allowed starting August 24, 2009, when DoD begins accepting proposals for this solicitation.

However, proposers may still submit written questions about solicitation topics through the DoD's SBIR/STTR Interactive Topic Information System (SITIS), in which the questioner and respondent remain anonymous and all questions and answers are posted electronically for general viewing until the solicitation closes. All proposers are advised to monitor SITIS (09.3 Q&A) during the solicitation period for questions and answers, and other significant information, relevant to the SBIR 09.3 topic under which they are proposing.

If you have general questions about DoD SBIR program, please contact the DoD SBIR Help Desk at (866) 724-7457 or email weblink.