Fiber Optic Detachable Adjustable Power Meter

To address the Navy’s need for a fiber optic power meter, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Fiber Optic detachable Adjustable power Meter (FOAM), based on a detachable optical probe and a compact wrist mountable meter. FOAM’s <3-inch long optical probe is truly universal, able to mate with any type of Navy fiber optic adapters and connectors. The probe houses an integrated photodiode and low-noise amplifier. The microcontroller-based less than 7.5 (L) x 3.5 (W) x 1.5 (H) in. electronic meter features a push-button user interface and a 1.5 x 3 in. LCD panel that displays power measurements from -55 to +10 dBm with an accuracy of plus/minus 6%. FOAM will cost <$300 in quantities of >300, and will be mechanically and chemically resistant to the shipboard environment. In Phase I POC demonstrated FOAM feasibility by designing, assembling, and testing two generations of proof-of-concept prototypes that measured optical power with excellent linearity from -40 to -5 dBm in the 1310 to 1550 mm telecom bands. In Phase II POC will develop a fully packaged optimized FOAM prototype with improved dynamic range and wavelength response from 800-1650 nm to meet the Navy requirements.