SA Photonics, Glimmerglass win Air Force contract for space-qualified 3D MEMS switch

HAYWARD, Calif., 12 Sept. 2008. SA Photonics, an engineering company focused on photonics-based solutions, won a U.S. Air Force Phase 2 SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) contract to build a space-qualified MEMS switch system, using the Glimmerglass Intelligent Optical switch module.

Under the terms of the contract, SA Photonics will build and test a ruggedized version of an all-optical 3D MEMS switch system. SA Photonics selected the Glimmerglass switch as the core switch module, embedding the switch engine within a specialized housing suitable for use in space.

"The explosion in the amount of data gathered and shipped around the world is driving the expansion of satellite as well as terrestrial networks," says SA Photonics president Jim Coward. "Optical switches offer enormous flexibility and efficiency in relation to their cost and physical size, so they are an obvious pick for space use."