TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: NAVSEA PMS401, Acoustic Systems Program, Towed Systems, ACAT II

OBJECTIVE: Develop a low noise tunable laser to significantly improve fiber optic acoustic sensor system availability and maintainability.

DESCRIPTION: Current fiber optic towed systems under development require as many as 14 low noise in-board lasers built to a specific frequency ranging from approximately 1520nm to 1560 nm to meet system performance requirements. Further, to meet system reliability and performance requirements, a 100% on-board sparing philosophy is required, which is very expensive and utilizes a high percentage of the available stowage space on a SSN. This effort would leverage existing technology to develop a low noise tunable wavelength laser that would significantly reduce system sparing and maintainability requirements (reduced life-cycle cost).

PHASE I: Develop a system design for a low noise tunable laser for fiber optic acoustic system applications. Conduct an analysis on the reliability and maintainability benefit of this technology over current fixed frequency low noise lasers.

PHASE II: Develop, fabricate, and conduct critical item testing on a prototype laser.

PHASE III: The technology developed under Phase I & II will be transitioned to the TB-33 program for use in the inboard receiver cabinet. The contractor shall design, fabricate and conduct design certification testing (DCT�s) on a production ready unit. The contractor shall support all PMS 401 ILS activity, including development of sparing/maintainability plans, etc.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: This technology could be applied current development efforts on-going in the telecommunication and cable distribution systems.

REFERENCES:
1. TB-33 Performance Specification; 24 June 2004; Laser Relative Intensity Noise (RIN) Trade Study, Chesapeake Sciences Corporation, 7/03.

KEYWORDS: Low Noise, Tunable, Sparing, Maintainability, Reliability, Life-Cycle Cost

TPOC: Scott Greenberg
Phone: (202)781-2930
Fax:
Email: [email protected]
2nd TPOC: Todd Whitaker
Phone: (401)832-2148
Fax: (401)832-4908
Email: [email protected]

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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