Avionic cabled fibers can best be described as a reliable, lightweight, noise immune alternative media for intra avionic platform communications. Optical fiber structures that have been in flight include graded, and step index multimode fibers as well as singlemode fibers. These fiber structures have been optimized for the harsh environment and reliability needs of various avionic platforms. In addition, construction of cabled fibers for these applications have expanded what fiber offers by providing small, robust, and lightweight protection for these optical fibers.
The primary standards that govern the specifications and test criteria of fiber optics for avionic applications are the ARINC 629 committee for commercial/transport aircraft and the SAE AE8 committee for military aircraft. Other fiber optic avionic data links are custom designed for specific platforms.
The primary fiber structure used in these applications are doped silica core fiber with pure silica cladding. Historically, 100/140 graded index fiber have found many applications because of their large core size and mechanical capabilities during routing, connectorization and attachment to transceivers. In the future, avionics will leverage the bandwidth of 50/125 graded index fibers and perhaps migrate into bend insensitive singlemode structures such as 4.6/125.
Silica glass is only part of the need as it relates to performance in the avionic environment. Unlike the benign underground cabling structures where standard optical fibers are deployed, avionic applications require harsh environment optical fibers. At Verrillon, we have developed a number of coatings to improve the fatigue resistance and temperature performance that match the avionic application requirements.
At Verrillon, we engineer these avionic cabling solutions starting with the glass design and ending with certification and testing to provide the optimum solution for avionic environments.
Please contact Verrillon to discuss your specific product requirements based upon the following product matrix.