Fiber Optic Interconnect Technology

Phase I design, analysis and breadboarding efforts demonstrated the basic feasiblity of a highly efficient optical communications system for connecting fiber-optically networked sensor arrays. The proposed Phase II Program will demonstrate in hardware thehighly efficient, scalable transmitter, the azimuthally isotropic receiver, non-mechanical pointing and tracking, and very low power consumption. A High-Bandwidth Optical Transmitter and a High-Bandwidth Optical Receiver will be constructed to demonstratethese technologies and they will be tested at realistic data rates and ranges during tank and at-sea tests. This technology will enable high-bandwidth connectivity among sensors, UUVs and other submerged vehicles, and surface, air and shore stations.