SBIR-STTR Award

This program creates diagnostic modules that perform high resolution time-domain reflectometry (TDR), optical time-domain reflectometry (OTDR), and optical or electrical tone insertion (TI). The TDR/OTDR modules will have a resolution of 1 cm. This resolution is sufficient to locate the fault to either side of a connector, which can isolate the fault among the many possible interconnected pathways. The TI function energizes the cable, allowing remote detection of the individual signal pathway under test.

Benefit:
High resolution diagnostic technology will aid commercial applications that need automated cable plant test and diagnostics system, such as commercial aircraft, oil platforms and rigs, and large power generation and utility plants.

Keywords:
fiber optic diagnostics, fiber optic diagnostics, cable diagnostics, built-in-test, Data Communications

The overall objective is to integrate network monitoring technology into the pluggable transceivers used by ship-board networks. These transceivers can communicate over multiple types of cable plant media: copper, single-mode-fiber (SMF), and multi-mode-fiber (MMF). The goal is to replace the existing transceivers with components containing cable plant diagnostic capability, providing 100% coverage of links and the capability to precisely locate problems along the link. The technology is suitable across Navy platforms for data networking applications.

Benefit:
The Navy benefits are a reduction in the manpower needed for fiber network installation, real-time network quality assurance, enhanced network security, and rapid diagnosis and repair of fiber faults.

Keywords:
ship-board wide area networks, fiber optic built-in-test, 10 Gbps fiber optic transceivers, network health prognostics and management, fiber optic diagnostics, built-in-test