Feature: Avionics
Unlike physical contact technology, the expanded beam connection is contactless, with the beam passing
over a small gap between two lenses within the connector system
applications for tactical communications and battlefield networks, in oil and gas applications include downhole drilling, subsea communication and pipeline monitoring, in industrial and transportation they involve signalling, automation and heavy machinery, then medical and scientific imaging systems, sensors and diagnostics in demanding settings, and a lot more. In these domains there will be different
approaches to providing the extra resilience, which can be grouped by two main criteria:
i) Adding mechanical and environmental protection to the connector system through seals and materials, and
ii) Expanded beam technology; see Figure 1. Different construction of the connector type allows additional features to be introduced, resulting in several different connector series that are now the go-to solution. Te first approach is perhaps the most
obvious and easily understood. Adding protection to light-transmitting fibre ends will prevent possible degradation and failures of the system through dust or
moisture. For use in harsh environments, these features most typically appear as metal connector bodies and elastomeric seals, which become compressed through joining two connector halves together. Te metal construction adds considerable mechanical strength, and materials like aluminium, bronze and stainless steel can then address specific performance needs like chemical resistance and salt-spray corrosion. Environmental seals add reliable
protection when mated, and sealing with protective covers add protection when the connectors are not in use. When added shock and vibration become additional considerations, some of the higher- reliability solutions will enable additional alignment features to take any mechanical stresses away from the light-transmitting fibre contacts, extending operational life and reliability.
Approved for military use A good example of this approach would be the Eaton Souriau range of connectors
Figure 1: Different contact methods
www.electronicsworld.co.uk September 2025 35
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
