When applying Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexed (DWDM) networks to military subsystems there is a need for selective flexibility in the amount of bandwidth that can be allocated during specific phases of a particular platform’s mission. There’s also a need to quickly reconfigure the interconnect structure to accommodate a variety of different type of missions and mission payloads.

About Multiwavelength Optical Transmitter
WVHTC Foundation team members are working with Ultra Communications, Inc to design and develop an ultra-compact, tunable multi-channel DWDM 10Gbps optical transmitter for use in MIL-AERO fiber optic local area networks.

WVHTC Foundation team members have designed and developed a tunable multi-channel DWDM 10Gbps optical transmitter for use in MIL-AERO fiber optic local area networks.

DWDM networks offer the potential of very high bandwidths, low weight, immunity to electromagnetic interference (EMI), and adaptability.

In order to effectively implement a DWDM network, a family of building block interface components is necessary. Innovative designs are sought to develop a multi-channel transmitter for high performance sensor applications that can operate at various optical wavelengths to provide the necessary aggregate bandwidth. Successful development results in a significant reduction in the amount of electronic module board space and elimination of complicated optical fiber cabling harnesses.

Also, the need for external optical couplers would be greatly reduced, thereby minimizing packaging complexity and DWDM network optical power budget loss.

The availability of a single packaged multi-channel optical transmitter would enable severely space constrained sensor applications to transmit large amounts of information efficiently via a single DWDM network connection. The ability to put this raw sensor information onto a DWDM network would allow critical processing to be performed remotely without the need for data reduction. This would also relieve the burden of co-locating the processors with the sensors.