Network Enabled by WDM-Highly Integrated Photonics (NEW-HIP)
Abstract
(U) The Network Enabled by WDM-Highly Integrated Photonics (NEW-HIP) program will facilitate building or upgrading military aircraft and other aerospace platforms with a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) single-mode fiber-optic networking infrastructure. This will have many capabilities that are well beyond those of currently used copper- and multi-mode-fiber-based technologies. Originally, the program focused on specific technologies for application on the Navy’s EA-6B Prowler aircraft; however, the program has been broadened to focus on technologies that will provide advanced capabilities to a multitude of military aircraft, such as the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). The NEW-HIP technologies and associated architecture will provide: scalability in the bandwidth and the number of connected devices; immunity to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and cable cross-talk; reduced cable and overall system weight and volume; increased reliability without an associated weight or volume penalty; ease of integration and future upgradeability; and the ability to carry mixed analog and digital signal formats. This will be accomplished by taking full advantage of single-mode fiber-optic WDM technology and leveraging optoelectronic and photonic integration techniques developed in DARPA photonics components program. To reduce the size, weight and power and to increase the reliability and the flexibility of interconnecting arbitrarily placed client devices with various signal formats, the NEW-HIP program will use passive, transparent and wavelength-routing technology at the core of the network, and tunable optical transmitters and receivers (transceivers) to inter-connect the client devices at the edge of the network. The technologies developed under this program are planned for transition to the Services for eventual incorporation into military aircraft, including tactical aircraft, UAVs, wide-bodied aircraft and rotorcraft.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2011
- Source ID
- 2fa54bcf46af77f7eaadf1e33d8be550