Fiber Optics

Fiber Optics
For Aerospace and Military Applications
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In 1958, W. L. Gore &
Associates was founded
Broad fiber optic capabilities for military and
with the mission to
aerospace applications:
develop new capabilities
based on fluorocarbon
polymers, especially
polytetrafluoroethylene
(PTFE) and expanded
Pre-formed assemblies, fan-outs, custom
bundle assemblies, cable, and connectors
polytetrafluoroethylene
(ePTFE). For nearly 50 years,
Gore has been driven by
the challenge of creating
innovative, standardsetting products that are
revolutionary in their effect.
From high-performance
Hybrid optical / copper assemblies
fabrics used in the most
hostile environments, to
stent grafts that repair
threatening aneurysms
in the human body, to
electronic components used
in outer space exploration,
Gore has the heritage of
developing innovative
products that perform in the
History of solving challenging cable and
assembly problems
harshest conditions, meet
scientific, fitness-for-use
quality life-testing, and
are offered throughout
a variety of industries.
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Fiber Optics
for aerospace and military applications
Competitive Advantage through
approximates that of a bare optical fiber, even under
Fiber Optic Capabilities
mechanical or thermal stresses. This differentiating
Gore provides high performance fiber optic cables,
technology is common to all GORE™ Fiber Optic
assemblies, and custom packaging for military
Cable products: ribbon interconnects, high strength
and aerospace applications. Because of Gore’s
tether cables, hybrid round cables, and simplex
long heritage with the military and aerospace
cables.
industries, GORE™ Products better address the
unique requirements of military and aerospace
Why Gore
system designers. When compared to telecom-
Gore is broadly experienced in all military and
grade fiber optic products, GORE™ Mil-Aero Fiber
commercial interconnects, fiber types and coatings.
Optic Products offer improvements in operating
A full range of Deutsch connectors, MIL-DTL-38999
temperature range,
connectors, as well as
vibration, mechanical
commercial connectors
shock, tension, minimum
from simplex to MT ribbon
bend radius, chemical
connectors are available
resistance, and overall
on GORE™ Fiber Optic
ruggedness without
Assemblies.
compromising size or
Gore engineers are ready
G
flexibility.
to respond to your custom
ePTFE and Fiber Optics
assembly and harness
Traditional fiber optic
requirements working hand-
cable materials affect the well-known optical
in-hand with your design engineers. Whatever the
stability of a bare fiber. GORE™ Fiber Optic Cable is
requirements, Gore can work from your 3D CAD files
differentiated from traditional cable by an expanded and respond with preformed, rapid prototypes. Gore
PTFE buffer system that effectively decouples the
has the product portfolio and experience to offer
optical fiber from other cable elements. As a result,
a wide array of solutions with the required perfor-
optical performance of a GORE™ Cable closely
mance.
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Fiber Optics
for aerospace and military applications
Competitor
4
2
0
0
7
14
22
28
Number of Thermal Cycles
The customer’s mil-aero box assembly left
little room to route a fiber optic interconnect.
Many installers do not specialize in fiber
optic installations and are unfamiliar with the
requirements and procedures to effectively install fiber optics without exceeding minimum
bend radius. A ribbon fiber assembly’s MT
interface had to transition to a MIL-DTL-38999
connector while meeting EMI limits and atmospheric pressure sealing. Extreme temperature, harsh shock and vibration testing also
had to be passed for complete qualification.
Gore created a drop-in solution that met all
the challenges. Working from the customer’s
CAD files, Gore designed a pre-formed assembly easing installation. A custom
MIL-DTL-38999
backshell solved the
EMI and pressure
sealing requirements, while the use
of 125°C rated optical fiber allowed the
GORE™ Assembly
to pass all military
qualifications.
46418_GoreBooklet.indd 4-5
Glass optical fiber itself is robust,
but its optical loss can be
severely affected
36
Solving Installation Challenges
With Pre-Formed, Robust
Assemblies
Qu
ick
Solution included:
• GORE™ MT Interface
to MIL-DTL-38999
connector
• Pre-formed assembly
• Custom EMI backshell
• Stable performance from
-40°C to +125°C
• Full military qualifications
Mil-aero applications often involve
extreme environmental limits, including
extreme temperatures, which can affect
the performance of an assembly if it is
not designed to withstand these limits.
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by how it is packaged
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an assembly. The
stiffness and thermal
expansion of glass
and the materials
used in assemblies
are vastly different.
Micro-bending induces
loss as a result of
mismatches of material
properties.
5
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Gore advantage
-20
-25
Temperature (C)
6
Data courtesy of Melanie Ott.
Output Power (microwatts)
8
Solving Performance
Challenges In Extreme
Temperature Performance
Change in Transmittance (dB)
Gore
10
Gore offers a variety of fiber optic cable
options that address the unique
requirements of military and aerospace
system designers. GORE™ Fiber Optic
Cable offers improvements in operating temperature range, minimum bend
radius, chemical resistance, and overall
ruggedness without compromising size
or flexibility. Cable forms include ribbon,
0.9mm, 1.2mm, and 1.8mm simplex.
Products operate in a variety of operating
temperatures from -65°C to +150°C and
offer tight bend radii. Spaceflight qualified cable is also available. Regardless
of your cable requirements, Gore has a
solution.
12
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Solutions Start With Cable
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Gore Design
Brand X Design
Temp
-60
0
100
200
300
400
This single-mode fiber
Time (minutes)
application required
mil-aero environmental
exposures. The competitive solution experienced large micro-bending optical loss at
cold temperatures. Gore engineered a robust assembly that solved this problem and
provided optical stability (<1dB) across all environmental conditions.
Solution included:
• MT ribbon connector fan-out to MIL-T-29504 terminations
• Gore materials with stable performance from -40°C to +85°C
• Robust, molded fan-out
• Full military qualification
Solving Installation Challenges With
Pre-Formed, Robust Assemblies
Gore worked with a customer on a shipboard
application which involved tight backplane routing of
fiber optic assemblies. The installers did not specialize
in fiber optic installations and assembly failure due
to overbending was a concern. The original design
required a complex clamping system.
Gore developed a fiber optic pre-formed assembly
solution that eliminated the complex clamping system.
Working from customer CAD files, the GORE™ Pre-formed Assembly made installation
simple. The GORE™ Assembly used a cable resistant to the crushing caused by
clamping under heavy shock and vibration. An example of a Gore solution is shown
above.
Solution included:
• Amphenol LRM connectors to MIL-T-29504 terminations
• Pre-formed assembly for simplified installation
• Crush resistant cabling for harsh shock and vibration exposure
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Fiber Optics
for aerospace and military applications
Gore Partners with
Industry Leaders for Success
To provide customers with
the best product options
Gore partners with the industry leaders.
Gore’s partnership with Deutsch UK offers customers
a complete line of fiber optic connectors and termini.
We view ourselves as an extension of our
customers’ design teams. Through
partnerships and much collaboration, we
help to make products faster, better, and
more cost-effective.
Deutsch products are specifically designed for reliable
and consistent performance in conditions that vary
greatly. Connector families available include MC3, MC5
and RSC, all suitable for single-mode and multimode
applications
Fiber optic interconnect performance, quality and reliability are greatly dependent on the manufacturing
process. kSARIA is the leader in state-of-the-art fiber
optic assembly automation technology. The alignment
with kSARIA offers advantages in performance, reliability and quality of fiber optic interconnectivity products.
8I W X 7 I V Z M G I W * S V * M F I V 3 T X M G W
Experior Photonics is the leader in qualification testing
services and fiber optic component testing services.
Gore utilizes Experior Photonics because they specialize in qualification testing in accordance with industry
standards including MIL-standards and Telcordia generic requirements (GRs).
Call us at 1 (800) 445-GORE (4673), or internationally
at +1 (302) 292-5100. Or visit gore.com to learn more
about Gore’s fiber optic capabilities and products.
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Cable pre-forming
ePTFE buffer system
Rapid prototyping
Proprietary high-strength
cable materials
All mil-aero connectors
Commercial and custom
optical fiber and coatings
All commercial connectors
Extensive history of
advanced cable
engineering
Termination automation
by kSARIA
Mil-aero fiber optic
assembly
Mil-aero fiber optic
cable
Unsurpassed harsh
environment performance
Extreme temperature,
shock and vibration
Minimize routing
complexity
Crush, abrasion resistance
Ease of installation
Stable optical
performance
Unlimited solution space
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Fiber Optic Capabilities
For Military and Aerospace Applications
Worldwide Sales and Support
Contact Information
China: Beijing
+86 10 6510 2980
China: Shanghai
+86 21 6247 1999
China: Shenzhen
+86 755 8359 8262
Germany
+49 9144 6010
International
+1 302 292 5100
Japan
+81 3 3570 8712
Korea
+82 2 393 3411
North America
1 800 445 4673
Singapore
+65 6 733 2882
Taiwan
+886 2 8771 7799
United Kingdom
+44 1382 561511
GORE and designs are trademarks of W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. ©2007 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
402 Vieve’s Way Elkton, MD 21921
1 (800) 445-GORE (4673)
www.gore.com
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