Optical fiber interconnection using flexible waveguide for automotive optical wiring

In recent years, automotive gigabit and multigigabit Ethernet technology is expected to be applied in autonomous driving system and advanced driver assistance system. Step-index-type plastic optical fiber (SI-POF), graded-index-type glass optical fiber (GI-GOF), and graded-index-type plastic optical fiber (GI-POF) will be the transmission media for high bandwidth data transmission. In order to reserve smooth light coupling at in-line connections, flexible and low loss waveguide is required. In this presentation, we propose and demonstrate optical interconnection by light-induced self-written (LISW) waveguide using a soft gel resin. We performed simple fabrication of LISW waveguide using near infrared sensitive gel resin and high flexibility of waveguide under harsh environment of vibration. undefined In recent years, automotive gigabit and multigigabit Ethernet technology is expected to be applied in autonomous driving system and advanced driver assistance system. Step-index-type plastic optical fiber (SI-POF), graded-index-type glass optical fiber (GI-GOF), and graded-index-type plastic optical fiber (GI-POF) will be the transmission media for high bandwidth data transmission. In order to reserve smooth light coupling at in-line connections, flexible and low loss waveguide is required. In this presentation, we propose and demonstrate optical interconnection by light-induced self-written (LISW) waveguide using a soft gel resin. We performed simple fabrication of LISW waveguide using near infrared sensitive gel resin and high flexibility of waveguide under harsh environment of vibration.