A fiber optic connector designed for military optical backplanes

Author

Pimpinella, R.J.

Author_Institution

AT&T Bell Labs., Whippany, NJ, USA

Volume

15

Issue

6

fYear

1992

fDate

12/1/1992 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

992

Lastpage

997

Abstract

A fiber optic connector designed to meet military stress requirements has been demonstrated. This reliable optical card-edge (ROC) connector is a multifiber backplane connector (four fibers, blind mate). The connector uses a unique expanded beam coupling design and micromachined silicon optical subassemblies to provide optimum coupling under high levels of shock and vibration. An additional feature of the ROC connector is its ability to self-seal or shield the optical fiber ends when unmated, protecting the fibers and internal mechanisms from environmental contamination and abusive handling. The design features of the ROC connector are discussed with respect to military stress requirements, and the prototype test results are presented

Keywords

design engineering; micromechanical devices; military equipment; optical couplers; optical fibres; printed circuit accessories; reliability; ROC connector; Si micromachined optical assemblies; card-edge connector; design features; expanded beam coupling design; fiber optic connector; micromachined; military optical backplanes; military stress requirements; multifiber backplane connector; prototype test results; reliable optical card-edge; self-seal; shock; vibration; Backplanes; Connectors; Electric shock; Optical coupling; Optical design; Optical fiber testing; Optical fibers; Protection; Silicon; Stress;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Components, Hybrids, and Manufacturing Technology, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0148-6411

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/33.206922

Filename

206922