Lossless Avionic Wavelength Router based on Vertical Cavity Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers Navy SBIR FY2010.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2010.1 Topic No.: N101-030 Topic Title: Lossless Avionic Wavelength Router based on Vertical Cavity Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers Proposal No.: N101-030-1691 Firm: Aerius Photonics, LLC. 2223 Eastman Ave., Suite B Ventura, California 93003-8050 Contact: Daniel Renner Phone: (805) 642-4645 Web Site: aeriusphotonics.com Abstract: Aerius Photonics proposes to develop a scalable and non-blocking lossless avionic wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) fiber optic local area network (LAN) wavelength router. The enabling photonic component for these advanced next generation routers is the Aerius' MEMS-Tunable Vertical Cavity Semiconductor Optical Amplifier (MT-VCSOA). These MT-VCSOAs offer tunable gain, acting simultaneously as gain elements and optical filters in the router. These WDM routers and MT-VCSOAs will be designed to operate in a mesh network topology which is well suited for avionic applications because of its high redundancy and fault tolerance. The routers will have small size, weight and power (SWAP) and will be designed to operate at wavelengths in the 1550 nm region. The routers will support digital and analog signals with high throughput. The wafer-level fabrication and test of MT-VCSOAs ensures their manufacturability and low cost. In Phase I, Aerius will work in design aspects of the MT-VCSOA and WDM router and will build hardware to evaluate technical risks. In Phase II, Aerius will fully develop the 1550 nm MT-VCSOA technology and build a prototype router based on these devices. Benefits: With the successful completion of this project, Aerius will have developed the technology to build 1550 nm MEMS-Tunable Vertical Cavity Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers (MT-VCSOAs) and wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) routers based on these devices. These advanced WDM LAN wavelength routers will enable a high capacity fully-networked integrated avionics architecture that can be inserted in next generation fixed and rotary wing aircraft as well as space platforms. Aerius has close contact with several Prime DoD suppliers who have expressed interest in this technology. Aerius will work very closely with the Navy customer and some of these Prime suppliers to ensure that the program is commercially successful, transitioning the resulting product to the fleet. The routers have application in the private sector as well for commercial aircraft and land-based networks. Return