SBIR-STTR Award

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will demonstrate a breakthrough, enabling technology for monitoring of optical signal transmission. Optical networks must be continuously supervised to ensure reliable data delivery. Advanced networks are evolving towards denser wavelength spacing and optical nodes. This trend obsoletes current optical signal quality monitoring techniques. An integrated all-optical method that not only monitors but also performs on-line diagnosis of optical faults in advanced networks will be demonstrated. Phase I will show the feasibility of a new measurement principle for monitoring optical noise components at the same wavelength as the optical signal itself. This capability is designed or a real network environment which includes the presence of polarization mode dispersion (PMD), a phenomena which has frustrated other approaches to in-channel noise detection. The project will include development of mathematical models of optical noise and PMD behavior, assembly of a network testbed, and experimental data. Results will meet commercially accepted standards of sensitivity and repeatability. This monitoring technology enables network equipment to develop and deploy advanced networks. Advanced dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) systems, which employ higher channel density and optical routing, are becoming available. These systems are very attractive to carriers because they offer cost savings of greater than 50% on both initial capital expenditure and on-going operating expense. This represents an enormous cost savings for telecommunications carriers and ultimately all data communications consumers

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will develop a prototype optical network monitoring system based on the enabling technology demonstrated in Phase I. Optical networks must be continuously supervised to ensure high availability and reliability. Advanced networks will use optical routing for cost savings and provisioning flexibility. This trend obsoletes current optical signal quality monitoring techniques. The proposed system, designed specifically for these advanced networks, utilizes an all-optical, in-channel detection method. It not only monitors performance but also performs on-line diagnosis of optical faults. This system operates in a real network environment including the presence of polarization mode dispersion, a phenomena which has frustrated other monitoring approaches. This technology is targeted to develop advanced networks that cost 50% less to deploy and maintain than existing systems. This represents an enormous cost savings for telecommunications carriers and ultimately all data communications consumers. The demand for telecommunications bandwidth continues to grow rapidly. The market for optical networking equipment and strong growth is predicted.