Industrial, NASA, and DoD spacecraft designers have recognized the advantages of using fiber optic components and networks for their internal satellite data handling needs. Among the benefits are the total elimination of cable-to-cable and box-to-box EMI; significant size, weight and power reduction; greater on-orbit and integration and test flexibility and significantly lower integration and test costs. Additionally, intra-satellite data rates of 1 to 10 Gbps appear to be an absolute requirement for a number of advanced systems planned for development in the next few years. The only practical way to support these data rates is with fiber optics. Space Photonics and the University of Arkansas have developed fiber optic components (FireFiber^TM) and networks that are designed specifically to meet these on-board, high data rate needs using NASA approved materials, packaging processes, and approved radiation tolerant devices. This paper will discuss recent developments in photonic components for spaceborne networks.

Date Published: 14 July 2003
PDF: 9 pages
Proc. SPIE 5104, Enabling Photonic Technologies for Aerospace Applications V, (14 July 2003); doi: 10.1117/12.487908

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 5104:
Enabling Photonic Technologies for Aerospace Applications V
Andrew R. Pirich; Edward W. Taylor; Michael J. Hayduk, Editor(s)