Summary:

New Dimension Research and Instrument, Inc., has developed an optical disc drive that could dramatically increase data transfer rates. Based on work from a BMDO SBIR award for high-speed optical electronics, this technology incorporates vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers to read multiple bits simultaneously. This approach will offer significantly faster data retrieval rates than the single bit models now in use. The company plans to partner with optical disc drive companies to enter the computer data storage market.

Technology Description:

New Dimension Research and Instrument, Inc. (NDR; Woburn, Mass), has developed an optical drive that dramatically speeds data delivery on optical disc drive systems. Today’s commercial CD and DVD drives use a single laser that reads one bit at a time. NDR’s technology employs multiple laser and detector pairs, all built on a single chip to allow simultaneous reading of many bits of data.

The use of multiple lasers relieves a digital data retrieval bottleneck in computer system optical disc drives. A traditional optical disc drive uses only a single edge-emitting laser to read data. The only method for boosting data transfer speeds on these models is by spinning the disc faster, an approach that has nearly reached its theoretical limit. NDR utilizes vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs), which are smaller and can be produced in an array, making it possible to fit multiple lasers and detectors in a space where previously only one edge-emitting laser could fit. NDR’s optical drive technology will speed data transfer by reading more than one bit at a time, allowing for faster data searches and retrieval.

In addition to faster data transfer rates, there are many additional advantages to using VCSELs instead of edge-emitting lasers. One is that their use will simplify optical drive reader design. Because the detector and focusing components are on the VCSEL itself, many of the complex optics found in traditional optical drive readers can be eliminated. Because such components will be made of plastics and semiconductors rather than glass and metal, the disc reader will be more rugged. The recent widespread use of VCSELs in the telecommunications applications insures that commercial-grade models will be available and can perform to commercial standards of reliability.

New Dimension’s design will work with any type of VCSEL, allowing for future improvements in DVD players and future optical disc drives, once VCSEL versions of those technologies appear.

MDA Origins:

In 1998, New Dimension was awarded a BMDO SBIR Phase II to investigate the development of an optical disc drive that allows simultaneous reading of 64-bits at any given time. BMDO was interested in high-speed optical electronics for missile guidance systems.

Spinoff Applications:

This technology could be used by the entire optical drive data storage market, which includes home and business computers that use CD and DVD drives. An optical drive utilizing this technology would be competitive with traditional models in both cost and size, and could theoretically retrieve data many times faster.

Commercialization:

At the present time, New Dimension is talking with optical disc drive manufacturers about possible partnerships. The company is also talking with investors and potential suppliers of components for codevelopment partnerships. NDR spun off a new company New Dimension Technology (NDT) to focus on the development of the CD/DVD drive in 1999.

Company Profile:

NDR specializes in the research and development of innovative optoelectronic devices for data storage and biomedical applications. In addition to the fast optical readers, NDR has also developed a patented confocal scanning system to be used for microscopes, and has an exclusive license on a flourescent imaging system that will be marketed for medical applications. The company employs 10 people.

Contact Information:

Stanley Xu, President
New Dimension Research & Instrument, Inc.
400 West Cummings Park Suite 3000
Woburn MA 01801
Tel:781-933-1165
Fax:781-933-1214
web: http://www.newdri.com

Jin Qian, Executive Manager
New Dimension Research & Instrument, Inc.
400 West Cummings Park Suite 3000
Woburn MA 01801
Tel:781-933-1165
Fax:781-933-1214
web: http://www.newdri.com
email: JinQian@newdri.com