Optical transceiver delivers high-speed data transfer

It addresses the high-speed requirements of emerging defence systems, including avionics, radar, missile-detection and counter-measure, and reconnaissance video surveillance.

Featuring a proprietary pluggable optical connector interface and ball grid array (BGA) base layer contacts in a fully hermetic enclosure, the SMT optical transceivers are designed for reliable high-speed, mission-critical digital data transfer in harsh environments.

OptoXtreme operates at 20 Mbps to 10 Gbps per channel. The low end of the wide data range allows the optical transceivers to be easily integrated into legacy systems. OptoXtreme is up to 90% lighter and 70% lower in volume than traditional copper cabling, so it can transmit and receive much higher data volumes using fewer cables.

Rugged Design for Harsh Environments

Spectrum Control has designed OptoXtreme to address the need for high-speed solutions in emerging defence and avionics designs. The rugged 24.5 x 15.5 mm footprint package offers a high degree of reliability for harsh environment and critical datacom applications.

A proprietary MT-12 ferrule-based optical front-end is compliant with MIL-PRF-38534 Class H and K, so it can withstand extreme vibrations and temperature ranges. With a wide -50°C to +125°C temperature range, OptoXtreme has 30% higher operating temperature than alternatives. The High Temperature Co-fired Ceramic (HTCC)-based package with BGA achieves maximum thermal capabilities with the mechanical security of soldering. The result is highly reliable performance in harsh environments.

Meets Emerging High-speed Designs

OptoXtreme brings the inherent advantages of fiber optic cables, such as smaller size, lighter weight, lower attenuation, and faster speed, to emerging designs in variety of defence systems incorporating high-speed digital data rates.

Among the applications in which OptoXtreme is well suited include:

Defense Avionics Systems – Network speeds of 100 Gbps and higher must be supported in modern systems. OptoXtreme delivers higher signal integrity and consumes less power compared to copper alternatives at these higher digital data rates.

Radar Systems – Instant access to accurate and complete mission-critical radar data is essential for accurate situational awareness and effective responses. With OptoXtreme, the risk that mission-critical radar data will be slow, unreliable, or incomplete is significantly minimized.

Missile-detection and Counter-measure Systems– Infrared (IR) technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) are used in modern systems to quickly and accurately detect the IR signature of missiles and notify pilots so they can initiate or approve the appropriate response. OptoXtreme’s high digital data transfer speed and signal integrity are essential to mission success in these applications.

Reconnaissance Video Surveillance Systems and Vision Systems – OptoXtreme meets the requirements of emerging designs in which high-speed, high-definition (HD) images are used for take-off and landing.