Development of a Ruggedized, Drop-in Replaceable QSFP+ Fiber Optic Transceiver Module for Harsh Environment Applications

The primary objective of the proposed work is to develop a ruggedized connector for use with commercially available high-speed switches and network interface cards that is low cost, maintains high data rates, operates in harsh environments, and has high mean time between failures to be utilized by Next Generation Architecture (NGA). The topic description continues to define some of the key attributes of the Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable (QSFP+) transceiver module that the Navy sponsor, and the herein proposed work, aims to ruggedize. A critical problem inherent in the available commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) QSFP+, and related transceiver (TRX) modules, E/O connectors and interfaces, is that none of them are designed and manufactured per relevant military standards; and therefore, all of them will suffer routine and frequent failures in environments that induce high vibration, radiation and/or broad thermal operating conditions. These failures must be mitigated via a rugged-by-design and manufacture, drop-in replaceable QSFP+ TRX module alternative. the Nanomatronix team seeks to develop the ‘Ruggedized QSFP+’, or 'R-QSFP+' product line specifically for harsher environment high bandwidth applications, including aircraft, naval craft and spacecraft per relevant standards.