A pulse code modulated fiber optic link design for quinault under-water tracking range

Abstract

An underwater fiber optics communication link has been shown to be a realistic alternative to the currently planned coaxial cable link for the shallow-water torpedo tracking range at the Naval Undersea Warfare Engineering Station. The currently planned system is reviewed in this thesis and a fiber optic alternative is discussed. Several possible modulation techniques are studied and compared. Choosing pulse code modulation, a fiber optic link was built and tested using a microprocessor controlled signal simulator. A discussion of this link; including signal format, optical transmission and reception is included. Fiber optic communications in general is an emerging field with new concepts and active research. Several of these concepts are discussed and their possible integration into a fiber optic shallow-water torpedo tracking range is suggested.