Widely tunable optical transceiver for avionic WDM networks

Avionic platforms pose stringent requirements on the size, weight and power consumption of components such as optical transmitters for avionic fiber communications applications. In addition, components for avionic and aerospace platforms need to meet extended temperature range requirements (-40 to 100^οC), and allow for built-in-test capabilities (BIT). To be cost effective, the avionic fiber optic network technologies need to follow and leverage the developments in the commercial marketplace, including small form-factor optical packaging and compact integrated transceivers. It is envisioned that single mode Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) technology will be introduced into the avionic environment in the future, as a scalable technology that can meet the future bandwidth increase requirements. Work on a new standard for aerospace WDM local area networks is underway. This standard will define the minimum set of hardware functions and networking protocols necessary at each node to allow the set up and establishment of connections on the network. The intent is to create a standard with the broadest applicability, including both commercial and military aerospace platforms, as well as a potential variant for datacom.