Spatial Domain Multiplexing: the bandwidth multiplier in optical fibers

1. Spatial Domain Multiplexing: the bandwidth multiplier in optical fibers

2. Introduction: Spatial Domain Multiplexing • Telecom Solution: Multiplies bandwidth • A photon in a fiber is virtually in a “Grand Canyon” • SOLUTION: Spatial reuse of optical frequencies • Retrofits seamlessly with older fibers running at capacity • Capacity doubled or quadrupled • Proof of Principle: Demonstrated in 2005 • Beta prototype in progress • Patent No.7,174,067, Feb. 2006

3. Problem • Why SDM/Why Now? • Managers need more data on desk • At secure locations and businesses • Bandwidth is an issue • Pentagon; with fastest and slowest fibers • Kennedy Space Center • Campuses, hospitals, battle ships • Need faster LAN without tearing out the walls! • Retrofit existing installations • Installations in minutes by average Tech.

4. Laser 1 CH1 Laser 2 CH2 Multiplexer Demultiplexer CHn Laser n CHn CH2 CH1 Solution • Spatial Domain Multiplexing: The bandwidth multiplier • Nearly an order of magnitude cheaper • Simple retrofit able construction • No moving parts • reliable • repeatable • Increased bandwidth • inexpensive • nonintrusive • two simple add-ons

5. Market • Fiber Optic Cable Usage • Growth @ 20.1% (2001-2005) • Annual sales reaching $1.8 Billion in 2005 • Estimated sale $2.8 Billion in 2010 • $1.6 Billion for North America alone • Addressable market: • Year 1: 2000 Installations @ $2000 each = $4 Million • Year 5: 32000 Installations @ $2000 each = $64 Million • Year 3: Design single mode long haul systems • Year 5: Beta test single mode systems

6. Competition • Status quo • New cable installers • Wireless • Free space optical links • New technological breakthroughs

7. Commercialization Team ACADEMIA: Research and Development • Dr. Syed Murshid • Teaches courses in photonics • Multiple patents, patent disclosures and publication on this subject • Named one of Five Most Influential Scientists in the State of Florida • Dr. Muzaffar Shaikh • Department Head: Systems Engineering, Ex Associate Dean, School of Business • Teaches delivering projects meeting specifications on time and on budget • Students • Mostly Graduate • Undergraduate INDUSTRY: Business case Analysis • Dr. Paul Suchoski • CEO, Optium Corporation • Mr. Richard Fox • Partner, Astralis Group LLC • Building, financing and growing technology based companies TECH TRANSFER: Licensing/ Marketing • Mr. Robert Merrill • Director, Tech. Transfer at Florida Tech, • IP licensing and contract negotiations • Dr. Michael Martin, • President, Tech Transfer Associates • IP Marketing

8. Challenges / Risks • Design and development of test bed • Future technology • Early business development • Successful field trials

9. Benefits to Florida Institute of Technology • Leverages • skills of the excellent pool of faculty and students • existing infrastructure of the ECE Department • ECE Photonics program/Optronics Laboratory • Florida Tech’s 1:1 matching funds • 2:1 in-kind contributions • Complements • Florida Tech’s existing patents, patent applications and disclosures • Faculty and student interest and laboratory tools

10. Planned Activities • Next steps: • Optimize the design • Finalize the prototypes • Develop business case analysis with help from Professionals • Further steps: • Nurture industry partnerships • Raise angel investment for field deployable prototype • Raise venture capital for product launch • Channel to Market: • Sell Mux/Demux boxes to telecom equipment vendors • Cisco, Nortel, JDSU, Finisar etc

11. Q&A

13. Status • Current Status: • Successfully tested two simultaneous channels over a 1 KM long standard Multimode silica fiber • Successfully performed multiple splicing operations • Successfully tested over periods exceeding three months Result for both channels after 1km