N131-015 TITLE: Fiber Optic Bi-Directional Amplifying Repeater

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Air Platform, Information Systems, Electronics

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA-234

OBJECTIVE: To create a fiber optic amplifying bi-directional repeater to boost optical (digital) signals bound for hardpoint pylons.

DESCRIPTION: The optical power loss budget on military aircraft is demanding. Depending on system criticality and necessary confidence level, the budget only allows for a few connectors between the transmitter and receiver (ref 1). For a fiber optic link to connect the aircraft network to an external pod through a pylon, a fiber optic repeater with amplification is needed.

An innovative solutionis required to develop a repeater capable of meeting or exceeding the following parameters:

Input sensitivity: 0 dBm to -20 dBm
Output Power: > 3 dBm
Wavelength: 850 nm
Fiber: Threshold: 100/140 um, Objective: Include 50/125um and 62.5/125um support
Termini: Threshold: 29504 /4 & /5, Objective: Include NGCON support
Data Rate: Threshold: 1 Gbps Fibre Channel, Objective: 10 Gbps Fiber Channel and Ethernet
Operating Temperature: Threshold: -40C to 100C, Objective: -55C to 125C
Shock: refer to Method 516 in MIL-STD 810G (ref 2) with effective shock duration of 23 ms at 20g
Vibration: refer to table 514.6C-VII in Method 514, MIL-STD-810G (ref 2) under General Exposure

PHASE I: Develop an innovative fiber optic repeater concept based on meeting or exceeding all requirements presented. Demonstrate the feasibility of the concept via modeling and simulation. Demonstrate operation of a benchtop version of the repeater.

PHASE II: Develop and demonstrate operation of a prototype packaged version of the repeater over -40oC to 100oC temperature range. Optimize repeater to meet or exceed all requirements.

PHASE III: Conduct environmental testing for fiber optic repeater. Develop plan for manufacturability and transition of device.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: This device would be of value to any application requiring low size, weight and power. Also of note is its ability to function in harsh requirements.

REFERENCES:
1. SAE AS5750 - Loss Budget Specification for Fiber Optic Links, Jan 2009

2. MIL-STD-810G - Environmental Engineering Considerations and Laboratory Tests, Oct 2008

KEYWORDS: Fiber optic; repeater; amplifier; pylon

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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