SBIR-STTR Award

We investigate methods of routing optical signals for flight control from board-to-board and board-to-box for avionic systems. We are developing a method for organizing optical signals on robust substrates that simplifies the optical cabling between the board and box. We plan to investigate the used of miniature, ruggedized optical components that allow optical coupling between boards with high degree of tolerance for mis-alignment.

Benefit:
Commercial and business jet flight control and reusable launch vehicles. Nonaerospace applications include automotive drive by light, industrial automation, dense computing, and all optical computing.

Keywords:
Optical Board To Board Interconnects, Optical Waveguides In Pcb, Parallel Array Optical Connectors

This program develops a connector system to provide robust optical interconnects at the chip-level, board-level and box-level. Due to increasing bandwidth demand and the desire to reduce weight associated with the electrical interconnect and EMI shielding, aerospace weapon systems are pushing to bring optical channels right up to the chip-level component. The goal of this program is to embed optical pathways within board and connector structures that provide mechanical protection against damage that may occur during assembly, test and operation in extreme environments.

Benefit:
This technology will reduce maintenance costs in the fielding of fiber optic systems. The JSF and Raptor programs would see significant benefits.

Keywords:
board-to-board optical connections, fly-by-light, Optical Interconnects, embedded fiber optic waveguides, parallel fiber optic connector