Multi-gigabit WDM optical networking for next generation avionics system communications

It is envisaged that photonic networking will play a significant role in im proving performance and reliability in both civil and military avionics sys tems. Of all the available photonic multiplexing technologies, wavelength-d ivision multiplexing (WDM) has been the primary focus of attention within m ainstream telecommunications offering increased throughput at a reasonable cost, with scope for enhanced routing flexibility, connectivity and network survivability. A direct mapping of techniques and devices from the maturin g telecommunications sector is, however, not possible because of the string ent requirements of systems operating in the hostile aerospace environment. This paper gives an outline of these requirements and discusses, in detail , the design and development of a multi-gigabit, broadband optical WDM netw ork architecture, specifically for use on aerospace platforms. The paper wi ll also discuss a key element in the system, the arrayed-waveguide grating (AWG) wavelength multiplexing component, which has been designed to allow o peration over the full military temperature specification without environme ntal conditioning. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.