Open Call for Science and Technology Created by Early-Stage (e.g. University) Teams

The U.S. military uses Fiber Optic (FO) technology for a wide variety of air, sea, ground, and space applications. Military aerospace and avionics applications are especially challenging due to extreme harsh environment considerations, ability to service, and the limited optical power (loss) budget. Based upon consumer off the shelf (COTS) components, this program will develop a new handheld, mobile, optical reflectometer that provides precise fault/loss location information to reduce installation and maintenance cost/time. The Axon solution will cost 10x-20x less than incumbent technologies and provide 400x better spatial resolution. To accomplish this, Axon Connected proposes the continued development of an automated Optical Fault Detection System (OFDS) using Axon Connected’s patented laser and reflectometer technology. The proposed development will support FO mobile applications, energy exploration, and industrial applications where a low optical power loss budget is mandatory while operating in a harsh environment. These FO systems are being installed in aircraft, ships, unmanned vehicles, military bases, mobile communications (5G), energy generation and distribution networks including oil wells, processing plants, wind generation, and industrial controls.