Development of a Lower-SWaP, RAD-Tolerant, Thermally Stable High Speed Fiber Optics Network for Harsh Environment Applications

The proposed Phase I objectives and work plan, carried through to completion, will result in the development of a RAD-tolerant, high-speed, multi-channel fiber optics transceiver, associated reconfigurable intelligent node communications architecture, and supporting hardware for intra-vehicular and ground-based optical networking applications with data rates exceeding 3.2Gbps per channel. The goals of this proposed program are perfectly in-line with the subtopic goals, which are to: "(1) develop high-performance processors and memory architectures and reliable electronic systems, and (2) develop an avionics architecture that is flexible, scalable, extensible, adaptable, and reusable." "The subtopic objective is to elicit novel architectural concepts and component technologies that are realistic and operate effectively and credibly in environments consistent with the future NASA Science missions."

Applicable commercial systems would likely take the form of highly secure, low-power optical networks for harsh terrestrial environments and/or when highly secure and redundant networking system architectures are required,e.g. high-end, rapidly deployable optical networking w/i buildings, municipalities, etc.

Applicable systems include intra-satellites, intra-spacecraft, lander and rover optical networking, in addition to lunar and Martian surface communications (each node being linked by either a ruggedized fiber optic cable designed for space flight or linked by harsh-environment deployable, miniaturized, free-space laser communications tri-pods being developed concurrently at Space Photnoics, Inc.).

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.