Abstract: The present invention provides a mixed analog and digital chip-scale reconfigurable WDM network. The network suitably includes a router that enables rapidly configurable wavelength selective routers of fiber optic data. The router suitably incorporates photonic wavelength selective optical add/drop filters and multiplexers.

Abstract: An aircraft communications and item tracking system is described. The system includes an RFID reader and a communications device located at fixed locations within the aircraft, a plurality of passive RFID tags operable for association with items within the aircraft, and a distributed antenna system comprising a plurality of antenna units and a wireless distribution system. The wireless distribution system is communicatively coupled to an aircraft communications network. The antenna units are communicatively coupled to the wireless distribution system and disbursed about the aircraft such that the RFID tags within the aircraft may be activated by signals output by at least one of the antenna units. The RFID reader and communications device are communicatively coupled to the wireless distribution system. The distributed antenna system is operable for transmission and reception of signals associated with the RFID reader and RFID tags.

Abstract: An open network suitable for a mobile platform that contains a plurality of host and peripheral devices. Within the network, a central server communicates with at least one switch. In turn, a plurality of network devices communicate with the switch. In turn, a plurality of host devices connect to network devices. Thus, each of the plurality of peripheral devices communicates with one of the host devices. Moreover, the mobile platform may be an aircraft including a control panel to control the network. Additionally, a CoreNet and the in flight entertainment and cabin services subsystem may be in communication with the network. Additionally, the network may include a satellite transceiver/data router. In one embodiment, the peripherals use Bluetooth protocol devices to communicate with host devices on a virtual local area network within the network. The virtual network controls the security and quality of service of the network that interconnects the host, and other, devices.

Abstract: A lighting system for transmitting light to a plurality of specific locations is disclosed. The lighting system includes at least one source lighting array and a plastic optical fiber (POF). The source lighting array comprises a plurality of lighting elements. The plurality of lighting elements are each configured to generate visible light. The POF cable has an end in communication with the source lighting array. The POF cable transmits visible light generated by the source lighting array to the plurality of specific locations.

Abstract: A system and methods are disclosed for a hybrid silicon-organic scalable reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer. An embodiment of a scalable reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer (ROADM) includes an optical bus for optical signals of different wavelengths, a plurality of add/drop optical waveguides, and a plurality of ring resonators, each being optically coupled to the optical bus and to one of the add/drop optical waveguides. The ring resonators are coated with an organic electro-optic cladding layer and are configured to switch wavelength selected optical signals between the optical bus and the add/drop optical waveguides in response to control voltages applied to the organic electro-optic cladding layer. The individual ring resonators of the ROADM can be independently modulated and tuned to filter specific wavelengths.

Abstract: An open network suitable for a mobile platform that contains a plurality of host and peripheral devices. Within the network, a central server communicates with at least one switch. In turn, a plurality of network devices communicate with the switch. In turn, a plurality of host devices connect to network devices. Thus, each of the plurality of peripheral devices communicates with one of the host devices. Moreover, the mobile platform may be an aircraft including a control panel to control the network. Additionally, a CoreNet and the in flight entertainment and cabin services subsystem may be in communication with the network. Additionally, the network may include a satellite transceiver/data router. In one embodiment, the peripherals use Bluetooth protocol devices to communicate with host devices on a virtual local area network within the network. The virtual network controls the security and quality of service of the network that interconnects the host, and other, devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mixed analog and digital chip-scale reconfigurable WDM network. The network suitably includes a router that enables rapidly configurable wavelength selective routers of fiber optic data. The router suitably incorporates photonic wavelength selective optical add/drop filters and multiplexers.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method for manufacturing an optical ring resonator device is disclosed. The method forms a ring resonator waveguide on a semiconductor substrate, forms an unoriented electro-optic polymer cladding over the ring resonator waveguide, and forms electrodes on the semiconductor substrate. The unoriented electro-optic polymer cladding is configured to change orientation under an applied electric field, and the electrodes are coupled to the optical ring resonator for manipulation of the electric field applied to the oriented electro-optic polymer cladding for rapid voltage tuning of its index.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for a rapidly tunable wavelength selective ring resonator. An embodiment of a voltage-tunable wavelength selective ring resonator includes a ring-shaped waveguide formed on a semiconductor substrate, an electro-optic cladding layer formed over the ring-shaped waveguide, and voltage applying means for applying a voltage across the electro-optic cladding layer. The ring-shaped waveguide is configured to propagate optical signals having predetermined resonant wavelengths, the electro-optic cladding layer has a voltage-controlled variable refractive index, and the means for applying is configured to apply a wavelength-specific control voltage to the electro-optic cladding layer. The wavelength-specific control voltage will shift or tune the predetermined resonant wavelengths for the ring-shaped waveguide.

Abstract: An aircraft communications and item tracking system is described. The system includes an RFID reader and a communications device located at fixed locations within the aircraft, a plurality of passive RFID tags operable for association with items within the aircraft, and a distributed antenna system comprising a plurality of antenna units and a wireless distribution system. The wireless distribution system is communicatively coupled to an aircraft communications network. The antenna units are communicatively coupled to the wireless distribution system and disbursed about the aircraft such that the RFID tags within the aircraft may be activated by signals output by at least one of the antenna units. The RFID reader and communications device are communicatively coupled to the wireless distribution system. The distributed antenna system is operable for transmission and reception of signals associated with the RFID reader and RFID tags.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mixed analog and digital chip-scale reconfigurable WDM network. The network suitably includes a router that enables rapidly configurable wavelength selective routers of fiber optic data. The router suitably incorporates photonic wavelength selective optical add/drop filters and multiplexers.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method for manufacturing an optical ring resonator device is disclosed. The method forms a ring resonator waveguide on a semiconductor substrate, forms an unoriented electro-optic polymer cladding over the ring resonator waveguide, and forms electrodes on the semiconductor substrate. The unoriented electro-optic polymer cladding is configured to change orientation under an applied electric field, and the electrodes are coupled to the optical ring resonator for manipulation of the electric field applied to the oriented electro-optic polymer cladding for rapid voltage tuning of its index.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for a rapidly tunable wavelength selective ring resonator. An embodiment of a voltage-tunable wavelength selective ring resonator includes a ring-shaped waveguide formed on a semiconductor substrate, an electro-optic cladding layer formed over the ring-shaped waveguide, and voltage applying means for applying a voltage across the electro-optic cladding layer. The ring-shaped waveguide is configured to propagate optical signals having predetermined resonant wavelengths, the electro-optic cladding layer has a voltage-controlled variable refractive index, and the means for applying is configured to apply a wavelength-specific control voltage to the electro-optic cladding layer. The wavelength-specific control voltage will shift or tune the predetermined resonant wavelengths for the ring-shaped waveguide.

Abstract: A system and methods are disclosed for a hybrid silicon-organic scalable reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer. An embodiment of a scalable reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer (ROADM) includes an optical bus for optical signals of different wavelengths, a plurality of add/drop optical waveguides, and a plurality of ring resonators, each being optically coupled to the optical bus and to one of the add/drop optical waveguides. The ring resonators are coated with an organic electro-optic cladding layer and are configured to switch wavelength selected optical signals between the optical bus and the add/drop optical waveguides in response to control voltages applied to the organic electro-optic cladding layer. The individual ring resonators of the ROADM can be independently modulated and tuned to filter specific wavelengths.

Abstract: An open network suitable for a mobile platform that contains a plurality of host and peripheral devices. Within the network, a central server communicates with at least one switch. In turn, a plurality of network devices communicate with the switch. In turn, a plurality of host devices connect to network devices; Thus, each of the plurality of peripheral devices communicates with one of the host devices. Moreover, the mobile platform may be an aircraft including a control panel to control the network. Additionally, a CoreNet and the in flight entertainment and cabin services subsystem may be in communication with the network. Additionally, the network may include a satellite transceiver/data router. In one embodiment, the peripherals use Bluetooth protocol devices to communicate with host devices on a virtual local area network within the network. The virtual network controls the security and quality of service of the network that interconnects the host, and other, devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mixed analog and digital chip-scale reconfigurable WDM network. The network suitably includes a router that enables rapidly configurable wavelength selective routers of fiber optic data. The router suitably incorporates photonic wavelength selective optical add/drop filters and multiplexers.

Abstract: A piezoelectric composite material having increased sensitivity and stability with time is described. The composite includes a volume fraction of from 20 to 60 percent of piezoelectric crystals having a size distribution of from 1 to 300 microns dispersed in a polymer matrix. The composite matrix is characterized by a shear modulus of at least 50 psi.

Abstract: An electrochemical system including a chlorine positive electrode, such as zinc-chlorine cell, is disclosed which complexes chlorine by utilizing (1) a selected organic compound, such as, for example, n-butyl carbamate, which includes a --NH.sub.n R.sub.2-n functionality wherein R is an appropriate organic moiety, and n is an integer, either 1 or 2, and an electron-withdrawing substituent alpha to the nitrogen and (2) a buffer to provide a liquid oil, which yields chlorine when required in discharge of the cell.