Wavelength Division Multiplexed Vehicle Data Bus Architectures and Applications

Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) is a technique to increase the capacity of a fiber optic link by simultaneously transmitting multiple channels over a single fiber. WDM has been extensively used in commercial and military telecommunication networks. Recently, the technology has become small enough, cheap enough, and rugged enough for application in military vehicles. Fiber optic WDM communication systems offer unique benefits for military vehicle application including near infinite growth capacity and significant weight and volume savings. We have conducted studies for applying fiber optic WDM networks as the primary data bus architecture for future combat vehicles. These studies indicate significant weight, volume, and connector savings along with tremendous performance improvement over conventional copper based approach. We have also assembled laboratory test systems to prove the viability of the technology and demonstrate the performance improvement. Multiple independent channels with different protocols and data rates can be carried on the same fiber thus eliminating duplicate wiring. Fiber optic WDM networks offer tremendous benefit to field commanders in network centric operations. By providing unlimited bandwidth, the commander maintains full situational awareness. System level vehicle wide fiber optic network architectures provide the basis for information integration and synthesis