WDM and TDM Fiber Architectures for Second Generation Fly-By-Light Systems

This SBIR Phase I project builds upon Digital Optics Corporation's experience in the design, fabrication, and integration of micro-optics with lasers, detectors, and fibers to provide an innovative multiplexing approach for fly-by-light (FBL), fiber-basedcontrol of airborne actuator systems. This work will be performed in partnership with Optical Crosslinks and HR Textron.The proposed method uses a combination of Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) and Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) to provide fiber-based sensor and motor drive systems. Use of the proposed architectures offers substantial fiber count reduction overexisting solutions. For one proposed architecture, the number of fibers is reduced by more than 70% compared to a typical non-WDM military fly-by-light system.This Phase I effort will demonstrate the application of this WDM/TDM architecture to airborne fiber-based controls. Both analytical and experimental work will be performed to verify the objectives of the proposed project. This will include a demonstrationlab prototype of the multiplexer and demultiplexer optics for routing to the sensors The proposed fiber architectures can provide viable fiber-based control for military and commercial aircraft resulting in both EMI immunity and reduced weight and cost. Commercial applications include sensor networks, with or without fly-by-lightactuator drive systems, where this architecture would significantly reduce the size, weight and cost. Weight and cost reductions would also prove valuable to many commercial distributed sensor systems, including security systems, marine, and automotiveplatforms.