nominally 70 microns in diameter. The common thinking is that optical fibers are delicate pieces of glass that are only suitable for use in conduit or a similarly protected location, but such beliefs need to be dispelled. Another favorable attribute of fiber optics is that it employs all the same connector standards as copper, with all the noted protections, while providing for commonality among components. Engineers know these standards well and are familiar with navigating and specifying them. They include military specifications such MIL-DTL-38999 (D38999), ARINC, and the newer Sensor Open Systems Architecture (SOSA) connector standards.
are used in everyday enterprise and datacom applications, but Amphenol’s version illustrates how it can be protected with the workhorse of harsh environment data connectors. The D38999 connector can even house the transmitter and receiver equipment needed for optical fiber signals. This is a harsh environment connector and signal converter in one housing, which component engineers have been specifying and using for generations. However, a potentially unfavorable reality about fiber optics is that it is indeed more difficult to terminate than its copper cousins. For low-voltage copper, a simple metal to metal linking without regard to orientation is all that is required. For the seamless transference of a light wave, those connections must be made flush at the ends of each fiber optic side without contamination, clouding, or cracking of each surface. This requires a more refined set of skills and knowledge than most technicians who work with copper possess. Accordingly, fiber optics are more often provided as pre-terminated assemblies by optical experts. It is crucial to work with a distributor that will provide product and application expertise, ideally at the earliest developmental stage, to specify
LC Field Fiber Optic Connector
In fact, the D38999 standard is used to protect the very common LC fiber optic connection method by Amphenol FSI (displayed above). LC connectors
34
Powered by FlippingBook