DENSE LOW-EMI FIBER-OPTIC CONNECTOR TECHNOLOGIES SUPPORTING SECOND GENERATION FLY-BY-LIGHT AEROSPACE SYSTEMS

The goal of this Phase-II effort is to build, and to demonstrate the performance and advantages of, novel ultra-dense and alignment tolerant optical fiber connector, breakout, and circuit board interface technologies. Advantages of these technologies include extreme compactness and density, low mass, alignment tolerance, simplicity of use in the field, a dramatic decrease in VMSC box weight and volume, very attractive EMI characteristics, inherent fanout and breakout capabilities, contamination tolerance, high reliability, and the potential for simple, low cost manufacturing. The Phase II effort includes technology optimization for the aerospace application and environment; fabrication and demonstration of multiple prototypes; and close technical- and systems integration-interaction with AFRL personnel and Defense Systems Contractors.