Digital communications networks require hard wired electrical connections to link multiple nodes in a network. Wired connections tether a system and inhibit the relocation of network nodes in a cost effective manner. Additionally, there is an increasing need for portable wireless digital communications links due to the ever growing presence of portable computer equipment. Solid State Technologies (SST) has patented a wireless system for communication between computers using infrared light as the carrier medium. The research objectives in this Phase I proposal include development of an optical integrating sphere high bandwidth signal processing electronics, and bonding techniques for mounting LED dice to the sphere and transparent conductor deposition on the spherical surface. The sphere will then be tested in a state of art network laboratory setting. Advantages anticipated include increased data rate, extremely compact form factor, minimal component count, and the elimination of the need for aiming devices at each other to establish a link up. Device performance and ease of use/setup would make IR mobile communications a practical and efficient medium. In military LAN applications, this translates into fast, effective ID and location data for each soldier and a non RF means of soldier to soldier communications and logistics updates. Anticipated
Benefits: Defense: Interrogation-response applications (e.g., soldier or vehicle friend or foe" ID); Transportation: (IVHS) inter-vehicle communications, and vehicle-beacon communications; Factory/Industrial: Factory LAN systems for host/machine communications; Wireless ID tags on equipment for interrogation/response purposes that only respond to a direct optical scan would prevent the "mass response" problems that occur using RF tags. FY 94 ARPA Wireless LANS.
