Feature: Avionics
Photo credit: Adobe Stock
Fibre-optic connectors for performance-critical applications
in harsh environments By Phil McDavitt, Strategic Business Manager, Lane Electronics
F
ibre optic connectivity is found in many applications, including data-centre fibre installations and the more demanding, harsh environments such as
industrial, oil and gas, the military and aerospace. Here, fibre must be carefully installed, in a regulated and protected operating conditions. In data centre applications, a popular
fibre connectors are the LC, SC, ST and multi-fibre MPOs types, which use highly polished physical contacts with very small
diameter fibre cores of under 50 microns. Te contact accurately and physically butts against a polished end of the mating fibre, to provide a near invisible joint with minimal transmission loss and excellent performance and reliability. Te light-transmitting fibre core needs
to align perfectly with the connected fibre core to avoid any transmission problems. Without sealing or protection, the very small size means it will be highly sensitive to dirt or moisture that might contaminate the end of the light- transmitting fibre.
34 September 2025
www.electronicsworld.co.uk
Connectors for harsh environments In applications like avionics and the military, environmental conditions are even tougher and require reliable, secure, performance-critical data-based communication systems, which calls for ruggedised connectors. It is essential that the optical contacts remain protected and, in general, a modified fibre-optic connector technology is used to deliver a level of reliability that fibre connector types like LC, SC, ST and multi-fibre MPOs cannot match. In addition to military and aerospace
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