Ruggedized Laser Diode Package for Wavelength Division Multiplexed (WDM) Networks

Advanced Navy platforms will need to transfer enormous amounts of data between sensors, data processors, storage systems and users. WDM networks offer the best possible solution to the bandwidth requirement. Tunable laser based WDM networks have many advantages over the fixed wavelength laser based networks which are rapid adaptability of the network resulting in improved efficiency and survivability, in addition to being lower cost. The most critical subsystem in the new generation of WDM networks is the tunable transmitter. Princeton Optronics (PRO) offers to develop rugged low profile tunable transmitters based on Princeton's high performance tunable laser. PRO has the best tunable laser in the industry and this technology will be further developed to build a rugged low profile transmitter for both digital and analog transmission. In Phase I of this program PRO proposes to establish the requirements and develop new technology required for this rugged WDM transmitter and integrate them into a working bench top model. This model will be evaluated through bench top measurement as well as mechanical and thermal simulations to demonstrate the feasibility of building a robust and manufacturable low profile widely tunable WDM transmitter in phase II.