Photonic Digital Data Handling at Airbus: From High End Definition to Component Technologies

In order to increase performances with higher data rate and benefit from a lower SWaP (Size, Weight & Power), photonic digital data handling is being implemented in replacement of copper harness. This paper aims to present different applications at Airbus using optical high speed serial links (HSSL) from telecom and earth observation payloads to platform data busses. Optical HSSL consists of an electro-optical (E/O) conversion to transmit the signal through optical fiber between different equipments followed by an O/E conversion. This leads to the implication of multiple partners as primes, equipment suppliers and also component industrials. Several technology solutions are available at component level allowing to meet the different challenges of primes (as complex routing with splitter box, integration…) and equipment suppliers (performance with suitable electro-optic transceiver but also compactness with optical flex). The present study investigates some of the most common elements and their impact on the architecture. From this, Airbus is leading compromises and choices to achieve standard technological solutions on the overall applications. The detail of the required developments on short, mid and long terms will be explored associated with the solution at prime and equipment supplier.