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Optical Modulator Bias Control for Analog Fiber Optic Link Applications

Award Information

Agency:
Department of Defense 		Branch:
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency 		Award ID:
81236 		Program Year/Program:
2008 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
06SB2-0286 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
N/A 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
EOSPACE Inc
8711 148th Ave NE Redmond, WA -
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 2
Fiscal Year: 2008
Title: Optical Modulator Bias Control for Analog Fiber Optic Link Applications
Agency / Branch: DOD / DARPA
Contract: W31P4Q-08-C-0393
Award Amount: $749,895.00
 

Abstract:

Typically, the electro-optical Mach-Zehnder interferometric intensity modulator is the key optical component that determines the ultimate performance of an externally-modulated high-performance analog RF fiber-optic link. Intrinsically, the device has a symmetric structure and has a transmission peak at zero bias. In order to operate at the maximum linearity quadrature point, the optical symmetry has to be broken and a DC bias voltage needs to be applied and maintained to create a differential 90 degree phase shift between the two arms of the MZ. The spurious free dynamic range (SFDR) of a wideband analog fiber optic link is critically dependent on the accuracy of the bias control. This DC bias point is dependent on a variety of issues such as operating wavelength and polarization crosstalk. Furthermore, lithium niobate exhibits undesirable properties in addition to the desired linear electro-optic effect including pyro-electric, piezo-electric and photo-refractive effects. These other effects can also cause the bias point of the modulator to change. Under this SBIR program, EOSPACE intends to significantly reduce this modulator bias control problem through two paths including both improved device designs and novel electronic feedback bias control techniques.

Principal Investigator:

Gregory Abbas
Vice-President
4258696784
greg.abbas@eospace.com

Business Contact:

Chung-Ping Chien
Vice-President
4257028612
chung-ping.chien@eospace.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

EOSPACE, INC.
8711 148th Ave NE Redmond, WA 98052

EIN/Tax ID: 911872866
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No