Abstract

The current fiber optic component market has reached a level of maturity in that fiber optics has spread quickly and easily into long haul communication applications and cable TV trunks. The next phase of their deployment could be in connecting the last mile between the outside plant locations and the subscriber. This will require either a significant justification for increased subscriber fees or a large reduction in the cost of these items. The market for fiber optic gyros is in a similar position. Fiber optic gyros present improved performance and increased reliability over existing mechanical gyros, but at an increase in cost. If the cost of the components for both of these applications could be reduced, vast new markets could be available to them. A team, consisting of Lucent Technologies, Bell Labs Innovations (formely the equipment business of AT&T), Allied Signal Aerospace (ASA), and the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARP A), brought together by the Technology Reinvestment Project (TRP) [1] process aims to bring about this cost reduction through the development of an Integrated Electro-Optic Module (IOEM). In October 1995, Fibersense Technology joined the consortium and is adding their expertise to the venture.

© 1996 Optical Society of America