Using advanced optical multiple-access techniques in high-speed avionic local area networks for future aircraft applications. Part I: optical code-division multiple-access networks

Abstract

In the first part of this paper, we propose high-speed fiber optic code-division multiple-access (CDMA) local area networks (LANs) for future real-time on-board command and control communications in aircrafts. We give new design concepts to implement avionic LANs which use optical CDMA schemes with a full tunability and can support sensor data distribution and computer interconnects. Reliable short-pulse generation and optical sampling are presented to optical CDMA transmitters to facilitate the application of avionic LANs. Optical architectures for fastly tunable CDMA encoders and correlators using prime codes are given. Their simple delay control logic is described, and it can be easily performed by using optical fiber delay lines. Moreover, the power losses of all-optical CDMA encoders and correlators are analyzed. Topologies for avionic fiber optic CDMA LANs are also discussed. We show that optical CDMA can be used in an avionic LAN to support high-speed parallel data communications with a low latency and multiple connections with a very fast reconfiguration time. This in turn can ensure real-time on-board command and control communications for future high-performance aircraft applications.