Multimode Fiber Optic Multiplexer/Demultiplexer

Navy SBIR 25.2 - Topic N252-086
Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR)
Pre-release 4/2/25   Opens to accept proposals 4/23/25   Closes 5/21/25 12:00pm ET
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N252-086 TITLE: Multimode Fiber Optic Multiplexer/Demultiplexer

OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Advanced Computing and Software;FutureG;Integrated Network Systems-of-Systems

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws.

OBJECTIVE: Develop and package uncooled fiber optic multiplexers and demultiplexers for integration into digital fiber optic transmitters, receivers, transceivers, fiber optic backplanes, OpenVPX circuit cards, and light source and power meter test equipment.

DESCRIPTION: Current airborne military (mil-aero) core avionics, electro-optic, communications, and electronic warfare (EW) systems require ever-increasing bandwidths while simultaneously demanding reductions in space, weight, and power (SWaP). The effectiveness of these systems hinges on optical communication components that realize high per-lane throughput, low latency, and large link budget, and are compatible with the harsh avionic environment.

As digital avionics fiber optic transmitter rates increase from 10 Gbps to 100 Gbps and higher, new fiber optic multiplexer/demultiplexer devices will be required. Key enabling components for use in transmitters, receivers, optical backplane, OpenVPX circuit cards, and fiber optic maintenance and troubleshooting test equipment are 50 micrometer core compatible fiber optic multiplexer/demultiplexer devices. The multiplexer/demultiplexer will be integratable with transmitter and receiver optical subassemblies and fiber optic test equipment optical subassemblies. The optical subassemblies are expected to operate over a -40° to +95° Centigrade temperature range and be less than or equal to one cubic centimeter in volume. The test equipment optical subassemblies will provide a launch condition to enable repeatable optical loss measurements on fiber optic links installed on military aircraft.

PHASE I: Develop design concepts for multimode fiber compatible multiplexer/demultiplexer devices for military digital fiber optic communication and test equipment applications. Demonstrate the feasibility of the multiplexer/demultiplexer designs that meet the objectives described in the Description through modeling, simulation, and analysis, showing a path toward meeting Phase II goals. The Phase I Option, if exercised, will include initial design specifications and capabilities descriptions to build prototype solutions in Phase II. Phase I effort will include prototype plans to be developed under Phase II.

PHASE II: Design and develop prototype multiplexer/demultiplexer devices optimized using the results from Phase I. Build and test the multiplexer/demultiplexer devices in transmitter, receiver, and test equipment optical subassemblies. Show operation over the full avionics transmitter and receiver temperature range, and the test equipment temperature range. Perform highly accelerated life testing showing a path toward achieving Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Further advance the technology to higher TRLs and demonstrate on flight and support equipment hardware.

The developed technology will be applicable to data center and computer networks requiring wide temperature range fiber optic communications.

REFERENCES:

  1. Binh, L. N. "Advanced digital optical communications (2nd ed.)." CRC Press, 2017. https://www.routledge.com/Advanced- Digital-Optical-Communications/Binh/p/book/9781138749542
  2. AS-3 Fiber Optics and Applied Photonics Committee. "AS5750A Loss budget specification for fiber optic links." SAE, 2018. https://saemobilus.sae.org/content/as5750a
  3. "Department of Defense test method standard: Environmental engineering considerations and laboratory tests." Department of Defense, 2008. http://everyspec.com/MIL-STD/MIL-STD-0800-0899/MIL-STD-810G_12306/
  4. AS-3 Fiber Optics and Applied Photonics Committee. "Aerospace Standard ARP6318: Verification of discrete and packaged photonic device technology readiness." SAE International, 2018. https://saemobilus.sae.org/content/arp6318
  5. AS-3 Fiber Optics and Applied Photonics Committee. "AS5603A Digital fiber optic link loss budget methodology for aerospace platforms." SAE. 2018. https://www.sae.org/standards/content/as5603a/
  6. "MIL-PRF-38534L: Performance specification: Hybrid microcircuits, general specification for." Department of Defense, 2019. http://everyspec.com/MIL-PRF/MIL-PRF-030000-79999/MIL-PRF-38534L_57123/
  7. Kolesar, P.; King, J.; Peng, W.; Zhang, H.; Maki, J.; Lewis, D.; Lingle, R. and Adrian, A. "100G SWDM4 MSA technical specifications: Optical specifications." (D. Lewis, Ed.). SWDM, 2017. https://pdf4pro.com/view/100g-swdm4-msa-technical-specifications-18af22.html
  8. Cole, C.; Petrilla, J.; Lewis, D.; Hiramoto, K. and Tsumura, E. "100G CWDM4 MSA technical specifications: 2km optical specifications." (D. Lewis, Ed.). CWDM4-MSA, 2015. http://www.cwdm4-msa.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/CWDM4-MSA-Technical-Spec-1p1-1.pdf
  9. "TIA-492AAAD: Detail specification for 850-nm laser-optimized, 50 µm core diameter/125-µm cladding diameter class 1a graded-index multimode optical fibers suitable for manufacturing OM4 cabled optical fiber." Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), 2009. https://standards.globalspec.com/std/1194330/TIA-492AAAD
  10. "TIA-492AAAE: Detail specification for 50-µm core diameter/125-µm cladding diameter class 1a graded-index multimode optical fibers with laser-optimized bandwidth characteristics specified for wavelength division multiplexing." Telecommunications Industry Association, 2016. https://global.ihs.com/doc_detail.cfm?&csf=TIA&item_s_key=00689098&item_key_date=970301&input_doc_ number=TIA%2D492AAAE&input_doc_title=&org_code=TIA
  11. "MIL-STD-883L: Department of Defense test method standard: Microcircuits." Department of Defense, 2019. http://everyspec.com/MIL-STD/MIL-STD-0800-0899/MIL-STD-883L_56323/
  12. "MIL-STD-810H: Department of Defense test method standard: Environmental engineering considerations and laboratory tests." Department of Defense, 2019. http://everyspec.com /MIL-STD/MIL-STD-0800-0899/MIL-STD-810H_55998/
  13. "WDM Technologies: Passive Optical Components 1st Edition." (Eds: Achyut K. Dutta, Niloy K. Dutta, Masahiko Fujiwara). Academic Press, 2003. https://www.amazon.com/WDM-Technologies-Passive-Optical-Components-ebook/dp/B001M4HOWK
  14. Huang, Rong; Wang, Runhan; Xiao, Wufeng; Zhang, Liyan; Liu, Yaping; Li, Jing; Zhu, Jihong; Wang, Honghai and Wang, Ruichun. "Wideband multimode fiber for high speed short wavelength division multiplexing system." 2017 Opto-Electronics and Communications Conference (OECC) and Photonics Global Conference (PGC), IEEE, 2017, pp. 1-3. https://doi.org/10.1109/OECC.2017.8115013

KEYWORDS: Digital fiber optic communications; Avionics; Short Wavelength Division Multiplexing; SWDM; Transceiver; Packaging; 100 gigabits per second and higher.

** TOPIC NOTICE **

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Topic Q & A

4/3/25  Q. Is there any specific requirement on the insertion loss, operation band, power handling, and SWaP of the multiplexer/Demultiplexer?
   A. The insertion loss will depend on the MUX/DEMUX integration (Tx, Rx, TRx packaging) and how much power you are getting out of your laser. We don’t want to lose 50% of light before reaching the receiver side and one need to take into account the link budget of 10-15dB, SWDM range 10mW or more
The solicitation mention 1 cubic centimeter in volume , but the goal is the be able to integrate this in a transmitter/receiver, transceiver or test equipment


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