N112-122 TITLE: Embedded Single Mode Wave Guides for High Data Rate Processing

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Sensors, Electronics

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: F-35 Joint Strike Fighter

RESTRICTION ON PERFORMANCE BY FOREIGN CITIZENS (i.e., those holding non-U.S. Passports):  This topic is "ITAR Restricted."  The information and materials provided pursuant to or resulting from this topic are restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120 - 130, which control the export of defense-related material and services, including the export of sensitive technical data.  Foreign Citizens may perform work under an award resulting from this topic only if they hold the "Permanent Resident Card", or are designated as "Protected Individuals" as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). If a proposal for this topic contains participation by a foreign citizen who is not in one of the above two categories, the proposal will be rejected.

OBJECTIVE: Develop and evaluate methods of integrating single mode waveguides in printed circuit boards (PCB) and backplanes for optical communications.

DESCRIPTION: Traditional avionic networks have evolved by using and combining a myriad of digital parallel and serial buses, analog switches and digital to analog signal processor architectures to route critical information among/between onboard decision islands. All of this has been accomplished by pushing the boundaries of electrical integrated circuit technology. Both the physical and electronic limits of PCB performance have been reached, and in order to increase communication bandwidth/throughput, industry must start exploring and deploying optical based technologies to eliminate the bottlenecks of copper based systems. Benefits derived from using photonic waveguides can be found in size, weight and power (SWaP), radiated and conducted electromagnetic immunity, elimination or reduction of ground plane complexity, board to board interface pin reduction, and increase in communication reliability (lower bit error rates), Built in Test (BIT) functionality and technology insertion resilience.

One approach to meeting this need for greater processing bandwidth is emerging polymer based slab waveguide technology. Compared to copper traces, polymer optical waveguides allow for greater bandwidth, reduce signal loss and thermal loads, less material intensive, and are not susceptible to electromagnetic interference [2]. In addition, photonic waveguides can be utilized in stand applications or inserted into multi-layer hybrid copper circuit card assemblies (CCA). Production methodologies use similar lithography applications and can be integrated into existing copper CCA manufacturing processes.

Current integrated polymer based waveguide PCB research is focused on supporting multi-mode optical applications [1]. However, multi-mode waveguides have bandwidth limitations due to modal dispersion [3]. Single-mode waveguides have numerous potential advantages over multi-mode waveguides. Namely, single-mode waveguides allow for larger bandwidth density per layer, provide improved aspect ratios, require less material, and weigh less.. Innovative methods to integrate single-mode waveguides are needed to realize their potential. Commonly used optical and datacom communications wavelengths are found in the 1530-1565 nm range. Cost, reliability and ease of manufacturing drive wave division multiplexing (WDM) and dense WDM solutions to choose electro-optic transceivers form this band of the light spectrum. Developing and evaluating methods of integrating single-mode waveguides within (PCBs) at these regimes, will maximize the potential of the waveguides embedded in printed circuit boards, while opening the door to transferring methods for other communications and datacom regimes.

PHASE I: Determine the feasibility of integrating single mode optical waveguides and PCBs. Develop comparative lists of possible materials, and fabrication methods. Perform computational analysis of optical performance of single mode waveguides which include: cross-section shape, minimum radius, cross talk, maximum bandwidth.

PHASE II: Develop validate and demonstrate single mode fibers fabricated in a laboratory setting or in small batches in a pilot fabrication facility. Integrate with a transceiver on a functional printed circuit board, test, and evaluate.

PHASE III: Build a flight-test capable printed circuit board and integrate with a military test system, and evaluate. Assess the potential for operational capability. Work closely with aerospace contractors to integrate with existing technology.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: The potential for private sector commercialization is strong. Fabrication and test processes developed under DoD sponsorship will be quickly applied in commercial computer and digital communications industries, and quite likely in advanced cell phones.

REFERENCES:
1. Beals, J., et al., (2009). A terabit capacity passive polymer optical backplane based on a novel meshed waveguide architecture. Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing . 95(4): p. 983-988.

2. Ma, H., et al.(2002). Polymer-Based Optical Waveguides: Materials, Processing, and Devices. Advanced Materials, 2002. 14(19): 1339-1365.

3. Ziemann, O. (2008). POF Handbook Optical Short Range Transmission Systems. (2nd ed.), Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

4. Booth, B. L. & Fisher, J. (2008). Practical Optoelectronic Substrate Connectivity. Reference will be posted on SITIS.

KEYWORDS: Waveguides; Backplanes; Photonics; Printed Wiring Boards; Fly-By-Light; SWaP

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

DoD Notice:   Between April 26 and May 25, 2011, 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 May 26, 2011, when DoD begins accepting proposals for this solicitation.

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