FEATURE CABLES & CONNECTORS NEW WHITEPAPER
EXAMINES STINGRAY 7 CONNECTORS
FIBRE OPTIC OR METAL? MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR YOUR CONNECTIVITY NEEDS
PEI-Genesis has released a whitepaper detailing the Stingray 7 series connectors, designed by Amphenol. The ‘Crucial connectors: Stingray 7 connectors empower body-worn applications’ whitepaper examines the design features and benefits of these connectors, offering insights into their application in industries including defence, public safety and firefighting. The compact connectors have rugged
metal shells, making them ideal for use in environments where exposure to moisture, dust, dirt and chemicals is common. They are, in fact, built to withstand the rigours of extreme conditions encountered by first responders and soldiers. The connectors feature innovative magnetic
technology which allows them to quickly disconnect, facilitating the connection between non-tethered equipment, such as helmet to torso, protecting users from potential injury due to cable snagging. The whitepaper emphasises the importance
of maintaining clear communication in challenging environments and the need for innovative solutions to address design challenges faced by first responders and tactical personnel. It also discusses the role of lightweight, compact connectors, in enhancing mobility, agility and effectiveness in critical situations. The Stingray 7 connectors feature a
non-keyed coupling system that has no moving parts, meaning they can be easily mated without the need for pre-alignment. Quick disconnect is facilitated in all angles of separation, enabling rapid equipment disengagement during dynamic combat scenarios. In addition, these offer 10,000 mating cycles, without any loss of reliability of the user’s signal or power. Readers of the whitepaper can also find out about case studies in which Stingray 7 connectors have been successfully deployed. These case studies include a rescue mission in a dense forest, in which a team of first responders relied on the Stingray 7 connectors to stay connected and coordinate their efforts effectively. Similarly, these connectors have been used by a military unit deployed in a harsh desert environment to bolster their communication systems. Find out more via
www.peigenesis.com.
42 DESIGN SOLUTIONS MARCH 2025
When specifying cables and connectors for your application, do you choose fibre optics or metal? Weighing up the options to ensure the solution meets application demands is essential. Mark Baptista, internal application engineer at PEI-Genesis, comments
M
etal cabling traditionally works by transmitting electric current from one place to another using the metal
as a conductor, with copper and aluminium commonly found in cables and connectors. With fibre optic cables, meanwhile, pulses of light flow through glass fibres in the cable and provide power. Its higher bandwidth allows for faster data transmission and makes it suitable for high data rate systems. In fact speed is a particular advantage of
fibre optic. These cables and connectors are capable of transferring data at an average of one gigabyte per second (GBPS), potentially even maxing out at several terabytes per second (TBPS) in some applications. Fibre‘s rapid transfer speeds can depend on
its optical channels – single and multi-mode. When discussing speed, traditional metal components lag, barely reaching GBPS levels. Maxing out at lower speeds makes them less compatible with high data transfer applications. However, with fibre optic two to four times more expensive in upfront costs, they are more suitable for short-term applications where high speeds are less crucial. In addition, while it’s cheaper to install and maintain cables with metal components, compromised durability comes with these installations.
DESIGN FEATURES Materials like copper are resistant to corrosion but can experience electromagnetic interference (EMI), making them less suitable for applications in harsh environments. Fibre optics’ use of light
makes them immune to EMI. A glass or plastic core instead of metal enables data transfer through light refraction rather than current, eliminating the possibility of EMI. EMI resistance in fibre optic cabling is a benefit in industries like military and
aerospace where durability is necessary. Both types of cables can be designed to meet IP (Ingress Protection) ratings up to IP67. Fibre optics, however, are often fundamentally designed with higher IP ratings. The Fibreco MAXI Expanded Beam Fiber Optic Connectors supplied by PEI Genesis use a single-mode optical channel for superior bandwidth across great distances and 16 multi- mode optical channels for high speeds across shorter distances, making them suitable for applications like data centres or military comms. Being capable of withstanding operational temperatures from -40˚C to +85˚C, and with 6.7kN crush resistance, these ensure performance even in harsh environments. As an everyday short-term solution, traditional
cabling methods remain reliable and cost- effective across many industries. But as businesses seek to step up their reliability on secure and optimised power, fibre optic connectors and cables offer a fast solution for harsher environments.
PEI-Genesis
T: 02380 621309
www.peigenesis.com
Fibre optic cables
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