An Armored Fiber Optic Logging Cable

An ultralow stretch armored cable containing 3 optical fibeRs and 8 electrical conductors has been developed for use in oil well logging operations. A mating cablehead termination, optical transmitter and sensitive receiver have also been developed to provide 3 data transmission channels, each with 10 megabits per second capacity. The system has been undergoing experimental field tests of a confidential nature since October, 1983. Performance specifications and the results of extensive testing will be presented. In addition to the application it was designed for, the basic cable design is particularly suitable for towing sonar and seismic arrays and other types of military and oceanographic payloads. It is believed to be the first truly high performance steel armored fiber optic strain cable.