SBIR Phase I: Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) corner cube retroreflectors

这项小型企业创新研究计划（SBIR）第一阶段研究项目将开发一种用于光通信的新型MEMS角立方后向反射器（CCR）。创新之处在于MEMS调制技术与角立方后向反射器概念的融合，为无源数据链路和目标识别创造了一种新型的光学器件。系统级CCR集成，结合概念验证实验室验证方法，将采用确定所提出的MEMS调制后向反射器最有前途的设计。该创新技术使光学ID标签能够触发无源和远程光学数据传输。如果成功，这一提议的结果将产生低成本、低功耗、集成和紧凑的CCR设备，最终导致CCR设备的便携式部署，具有令人满意的可靠性、耐用性，以及足够的坚固性和耐用性。其应用包括但不限于：分布式传感器网络的数据节点、光通信网络的光ID和数据链路、收费站和库存管理的车辆监控、协助偏远地区（例如海上）的监视和救援行动、偏远地区或高海拔地区的环境监测（例如天然气管道监测、结构健康监测等）。除了商业应用之外，MEMS调制CCR技术还可能在军事领域找到重要的应用，包括敌我识别、狙击手识别和定位、自组织网状网络、空对地链接和无人驾驶自动车辆监控等。

This Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) Phase I research project will develop a novel MEMS corner cube retroreflector (CCR), for optical communications. The innovation lies in the convergence of a MEMS modulating technology with the concept of corner cube retroreflector creating a new type of optical devices for passive data links and object identifications. A system level CCR integration, in combination with proof-of-concept laboratory verification methods, will be adopted to identify the most promising design of the proposed MEMS modulating retroreflector. The innovation enables an optical ID tag that can be triggered for passive and remote optical data transfer. If successful the outcome of this proposed activity will generate low cost, low power, integrated and compact CCR devices, ultimately leading to portable deployment of the CCR devices with satisfactory reliability, durability, along with sufficient ruggedness and endurance. Its applications include but not limited to: data nodes for distributed sensor networks, optical ID and data links for optical communication networks, vehicle monitoring at toll booth and inventory management, aiding surveillance and rescue operations in remote areas (e.g. at sea), environmental monitoring at remote areas or at high altitudes (e.g. gas line monitoring, structural health monitoring, etc.). Besides the commercial applications, MEMS modulating CCR technologies will potentially find important entries into military fields, with applications including identify-friend-or-foe interrogation, sniper identification and location, ad-hoc mesh networks, air-to-ground links, and unmanned autonomous vehicle monitoring, to name a few.