Optical modulators
APA Optics Inc., Minneapolis, has negotiated a $771,055 Phase II-SBIR Navy Contract to develop a wavelength-division multiplexed modulator for advanced fiber-optic-based communications systems and to build prototype units. The modulator will transmit information over several channels through a single optical fiber. The goal of the wavelength-division multiplexed-based networks is to make fuller use of a fiber`s capacity, through the employment of multiple electrical-optical devices in parallel on different wavelengths. These networks, which are capable of handling trillions of bits per second, will also reduce the complexity of sorting and tracking signals for differing applications. Applications include high-speed computer data communications; voice and graphics communications; and video communications for both wide and local area networks.