Novel Fiber Optic Lighting System for Antenna Towers

Intelligent Optical Systems (IOS) proposes the development of a Novel Fiber Optic Lighting System for Antenna Towers (FOLSAT). This remote source illumination system will include a set of remotely located red light sources; light delivery fiber optic cables that will deliver light at distances up to 1500 ft. with low loss, and newly designed signaling beacons. FOLSAT will replace the electrical lighting system installed on the mast towers that tend to be affected by the strong radio frequency electromagnetic field. The advantages of our system are practically zero antennas downtime, and insensitivity to the electromagnetic interference. The baseline low loss fiber for this remote lighting was developed for remote lighting on Navy vessels, and will be modified to be applicable for longer distances. In Phase I, IOS and their collaborator, Polymicro Technologies, will conduct a series of evaluations and experiments to prove the feasibility of applying cables developed from this modified fiber to transmit light to longer distances. In Phase II, a small scale model illuminator will be tested, and any unexpected issues will be evaluated and resolved. In Phase III, the full scale prototype will be installed on a Navy designated tower for field tests.