FIBER-OPTIC CABLE CONNECTOR

THE DEVELOPMENT OF HI-RELIABILITY, OPTICAL CABLE CONNECTORS FOR MISSILE-RELATED, LASER, ORDNANCE, FIRING SYSTEMS REQUIRES AN EXAMINATION OF THE PRIMARY FACTORS WHICH HAVE INHIBITED THAT DEVELOPMENT. WE PROPOSE TO SYSTEMATICALLY STUDY AND ANALYZE EACH OF THESE FACTORS UTILIZING THE 13 YEARS OF RELATED EXPERIENCE RESIDENT IN OUR TEAM. WE FURTHER PROPOSE TO DEVELOP SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE LASER FIRING UNIT, THE PROPAGATION MODES LAUNCHED INTO THE FIBER, THE FIBER BENDING LIMITATIONS, AND THE CONNECTORS. REQUIREMENTS FOR THE FIBER PARAMETERS WILL ALSO BE ESTABLISHED. SRA OPTIK WILL DEVELOP A PRELIMINARY DESIGN OF THE CONNECTOR, DETERMINE THE OVERALL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE LASER ORDNANCE FIRING SYSTEM, AND DEVELOP A DIAGNOSTIC METHOD OF DETERMINING MODES PROPAGATED IN THE FIBER. FIELDING OF RELIABLE MISSILE ORDNANCE LASER-FIBER FIRING UNITS, WHICH IS EMP AND EMI RESISTANT. COMMERICAL EMPLOYMENT IN OTHER LASER APPLICATIONS REQUIRING LASER CONTROL APPLICATIONS.