DS-SEP26-PG22+23_Layout 1 18/09/2026 15:55 Page 2


militarY, aerospace & Defence


g the potential of mUnications in space


exposed to any potential contamination, alleviating problems associated with cleaving, polishing and termination, thus eliminating the main cause of 80% of link failures as reported for terrestrial datacentres. Space-rated AOCs support aggregate


bandwidths of up to 50Gbps over distances of up to 35m. Designed for multi-lane data communication and interconnect applications, they are protocol agnostic, an important advantage in applications where proprietary protocols are common. Compared with copper cables, AOCs


also weigh less and have smaller diameters, simplifying installation and routing in space- constrained environments, while directly supporting SWaP optimisation.


eNgiNeeriNg coNSiDeraTioNS For aocS While AOCs offer significant advantages, deploying them in space programs requires comprehensive design and testing.


One of the primary challenges AOCs face is


radiation-induced attenuation (RIA). Exposure to ionizing radiation causes the gradual darkening of optical materials. These effects compound as total dosage and distances increase, making it increasingly difficult for light to pass through the fibre. As such, appropriate shielding and housing must be used along with radiation-tolerant optical materials. As with any high-reliability network architecture, error-correction mechanisms and redundant circuits may also be required. Designer engineers must also carefully


manage power consumption, vibration levels, thermal behaviour and radiation exposure throughout the mission lifecycle. These factors can contribute to radiation-induced embrittlement within the interconnect, conductivity loss and atomic oxygen erosion. Fortunately, AOCs are typically simpler in


design than traditional transceivers, featuring fewer parts. This reduces the number of potential failure points along with inventory stock-keeping units (SKUs).


inDUstrY focUs Space: The NexT DaTa FroNTier


Space is emerging as a major data frontier, where data mobility is becoming an increasingly important design priority. With the global space economy projected to grow significantly by 2040 and large-scale initiatives already underway, organisations will need to make scalable design choices that support long-term performance and reliability. Supporting the next generation of space-based


computing will require technologies that can perform effectively under extreme constraints. AOCs can play an important role in this evolution by combining the simplicity of electrical interfaces with the high performance of fibre optics to deliver a balance of bandwidth, reliability, SWaP efficiency and integration simplicity. More broadly, high-reliability connections are


fundamental to system performance in these environments. As system complexity increases and operating conditions become more demanding, there is a corresponding need to strengthen quality and resilience across the interconnect stack. This includes expanding capabilities in ruggedised solutions such as custom connectors, contacts, RF components and optical transceivers designed for harsh environments. The recent acquisition of Smiths Interconnect by Molex reflects this focus.


Molex www.molex.com/en-us/home


Is your product or service getting worldwide exposure?


In addition to the regular users of Design Solutions we receive 9,000 new users each year across the globe from Japan to the USA, from China to Germany and many more.


Want to be part of the action? Then contact Jordan Tait | 01622 699 139 | jtait@datateam.co.uk www.designsolutionsmag.co.uk september 2026 DESIGN SOLUTIONS 23


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52