US-Spain Planning Visit: Plastic Optical Fiber (POF) Systems for Avionics Applications

提高飞机的通信能力是航空电子领域的一个持续目标。 塑料光纤（POF）已广泛用于汽车，其耐恶劣环境的特性使其在航空电子设备中的应用特别有吸引力。 这一领域的改进可能会导致飞机上更有效的系统，由于其重量轻，降低了能源成本。 该项目将与西班牙萨拉戈萨大学的计算机模拟专家合作，研究如何优化POF在飞机系统中的应用特性。该项目的研究结果可能会改善飞机上的通信系统，降低能源成本并提高效率。 此外，航空电子设备应用的开发可以为具有类似广泛分布的其他系统（例如电信网络）中的应用提供洞察力。 此外，与东道国机构的外国研究人员合作将为研究生提供在本国机构无法获得的专业知识。 这种类型的经验为美国学生提供了参与全球竞争力的劳动力的能力。

Improved communication capabilities in airplanes are a continuing goal in the avionics field. Plastic Optical Fibers (POF) have been used extensively in automobiles, and their characteristics in enduring harsh environments make them particularly attractive for use in avionics. Improvements in this area could lead to more efficient systems in airplanes, with reduced energy costs given their light weight. This project will examine ways to optimize the characteristics of POF for application in airplane systems, by collaborating with researchers at the University of Zaragoza in Spain, who are experts in computer modeling of these systems.The findings from this project may lead to improved communication systems in airplanes, decreased energy costs and increased efficiency. Further, the development of applications to avionics may provide insight for applications in other systems with similarly wide distribution, such as telecommunications networks. In addition, collaborating with foreign researchers at the host institution will provide the graduate student with access to expertise not available at the home institution. This type of experience provides US students with the capacity to participate in a globally competitive workforce.