You are here

Development of a Novel, Ultra-Low SWAP, RAD-Tolerant, Multi-Channel, Reprogrammable Photonic Integrated Circuit Optical Transceiver Module

Award Information
Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Branch: N/A
Contract: NNX11CD98P
Agency Tracking Number: 105745
Amount: $99,997.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: O1.02
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2010
Award Year: 2011
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2011-02-18
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2011-09-29
Small Business Information
700 West Research Center Boulevard
Fayetteville, AR 72701-7175
United States
DUNS: 044870363
HUBZone Owned: Yes
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Matthew Leftwich
 Principal Investigator
 (479) 856-6367
 mleftwich@spacephotonics.com
Business Contact
 Matthew Leftwich
Title: Business Official
Phone: (479) 856-6367
Email: mleftwich@spacephotonics.com
Research Institution
 Stub
Abstract

According to Topic O1, titled Space Communications, "NASA's communications capability is based on the premise that communications shall enable and not constrain missions. Communications must be robust to support the numerous missions for space science, Earth science and exploration of the universe. Technologies such as optical communications, RF including antennas and ground based Earth stations, surface networks, access links, reprogrammable communications systems, communications systems for EVAs, advanced antenna technology, transmit array concepts and communications in support of launch services including space based assets are very important to the future of exploration and science activities of the Agency. Emphasis is placed on size, weight and power improvements. Innovative solutions centered around operational issues associated with the communications capability are needed. These technologies are to be aligned with the Space Communications and Navigation Architecture (SCaN)." Therefore, SPI proposes to develop a novel, ultra-low SWAP, multichannel, photonic integrated circuit (PIC) based optical transceiver for data rates up to 10Gbps per channel. It will be designed specifically for the AS1393a networking architecture demonstration; but, may easily be modified, via a change in the protocol/processing FPGA VHDL core, to suit a multitude of high-speed optical networking applications relevant to the NASA SCaN Internet Architecture Vision.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

US Flag An Official Website of the United States Government