Carmen Vázquez GDAF:UC3M

1. Liquid Crystal based MUX to be used in POF networks Universidad Carlos III de Madrid GET-ENST Ecòle Nationale Supérieure des TélecommunicationsBarcelona, February, 2007 Carmen Vázquez GDAF:UC3M

2. Context • GDAF of Universidad Carlos III of Madridhave developed new applications of LC + MM fibers devices such as switches, VOA & multiplexers . GET-ENSThas a lot of experience in manufacturing LC devices for telecommunications applications and have cleanrooms. • They have an active Erasmus Bilateral Agreement for developing teaching exchanges in postgraduate courses (2006-2007) • From september 2006 GDAF-UC3M is formally involved in e-Photon/One+, both parties realized that a collaboration between the two groups could be useful Collaboration in the framework of VD-H: Task 1:“Increasing bandwidth in multimode fibers”?

3. Objective • To research new applications of LC devices for multimode optical fibers operating on near infrared region, 850nm and 1300nm where some graded index plastic optical fibers (GI-POF) transmit information with low attenuation and higher bit rates than conventional POF Media properties CWDM Low attenuation at 850nm-1300nm

4. Context in VD-H (VD-H deliverable 1. Key issues “…”) Graded index plastic optical fibers (GI-POF) are one of the promising transmission media for “extending the capacity of optical fibre in-house networks for delivery of multiple groups of services, with low-cost optical multiplexing techniques such as coarse wavelength multiplexing on multi-mode fibre infrastructures”. MUX devices as the one proposed in this proposal will be useful on those networks.

5. P 1 3 x 1 P 2 P 4 Multiplexer • P1 • P2 P 3 • P3 • P1 and P2 • P1 and P3 • P2 and P3 • P1, P2 and P3 • No Output MUX Configuration I • Designs are based on POF+LC. • Capable of Working in a Large Wavelength Range • Input Ports are Wavelength Independent • Allows Time Division Multiplexing • 8 Operation Modes:

6. MUX Configuration II • Control electronics: • Controls multiplexer status • Generates the excitation signals for each liquid crystal cell • Reports multiplexer status to the operator • Optical power measurement at different ports • Allows reconfiguration of the multiplexer

7. MUX Configuration III Prototypes operating at 650nm& 850nm has already characterized

8. Lightweight, easy installation, no EMI, intrinsically safety low installation and handling costs Applications: automobiles, home networks, aeroplanes, RoF Applications • PF GI-POF CWDM • Técnicas de auto-referencia sensores intensidad: POF short-distance data communications in industrial fields • WDM unifying communications standards in a single fiber in car networks : • Flex ray • CAN • Multimedia… • Bypass switch

9. The Working Plan will include • Experimental implementation of LC samples operating at 850nm and 1300nm; • Analysing different configurations to optimize the device performance • Multiplexer (MUX) implementation by integration of the different elements • Characterization of LC samples and MUX. • Discussion between achieved experimental results and theory

10. Workplan 2007 (first draft) References • [1] DUPONT L., DE BOUGRENET DE LA TOCNAYE J.L., GADONNA M., SANSONI T. Fast liquid crystal endlesspolarisation controller for first order PMD compensation. Annals of telecommunications November 2003, vol. 58, pp. 1364-1377. • [2] GRAVEY P., DE BOUGRENET DE LA TOCNAYE J.L.,FRACASSO B., WOLFFER N., TAN A., VINOUZE B. and RAZZAK M., Liquid crsytal based optical space switchs for DWDM networks, Annals of Telecommunications,November 2003, vol. 58, pp. 1378-1400. • [3] Vazquez C.;Pena J.M.S.;Aranda A.L. « Broadband 1x2 polymer optical fiber switches using nematic liquid crystals » Optics Communications, Volume 224,Number 1, 15 August 2003, pp. 57-62(6) • [4] C. Vázquez, S. Vargas, J. I. Santos, J. M. S. Pena, J. Montalvo “Time Division Multiplexing Fibre-Optic Liquid Level Sensors using a Nematic 1x2 Optical Switch” POF'04: 13th International Plastic Optical Fibres Conference 2004, pp. 351-356, 2004 • [5] P. C. Lallana, Carmen Vázquez, J. M. Sánchez Pena, Ricardo Vergaz, “Reconfigurable Optical Multiplexer Based on Liquid Crystal for Polymer Optical Fiber”Opto-Electronics Review 14, (4), pp. 311-318, December 2006 23 June-23 July UC3M PhD student in ENST-Brest Second cells+device Jan 2007: T.meeting ENST-UC3M in Brest Feb 2007: Tech.meeting ENST-UC3M in Barcelona 4-6 June 2007: Tech.meeting GET-ENST+UC3M in Madrid Designs, POF characterization applications Madrid, Brest First LC cells manufacturing at Brest Sent EMB Exchange and Mobility Board Design & Manufacturing & Characterization Dissemination: Summer School Brest 2007 POF´07 September ..

11. Outcomes • R&D results on devices for multiplexing, switching in POF, GI-POF networks • MUX operating at 850nm & 1300nm for increasing bandwidth and capabilities in-home and automobile applications • Identification of new functions and applications of LC+POF devices • Reinforcement of the collaboration between research groups at e+

12. Thanks

14. An enhanced MOST ring network with bypass switch, diagnosis port, and plug-and-play connector. • To improve the system availability, a passive bypass switch is closed when an electronic control unit (ECU) shuts down. With PCS fibers, bypass switches with an insertion loss of 3 dB are already demonstrated [75]. The introduction of a Y-coupler allows the simple analysis of the network performance in a workshop just by plugging in a network analyzing tool without opening and influencing the network. Last, but not least, prede- fined passive plug-in sockets allow the extension of the network just by plugging in new devices, simplifying the offer of extra equipment or the installation and deinstallation of after-market or mobile devices.

16. Técnicas de auto-referencia sensores intensidad: POF short-distance data communications in industrial fields