Rugged and Durable Fiber Optic Replacement

Optical fibers are extensively used in military aircraft, both as interconnects in electronic cards and as interconnects in aircraft frames. Fiber ribbons used in computer cards suffer significant breakage failures, usually close to the connectors and at points where they have been tacked to prevent movement. Fiber cables suffer “maintenance induced breaks” when, for example, a heavy object falls on them or they are bent sharply at an anchor point. Both these situations would benefit from development of a rugged, durable optical replacement fiber. Ideally it should be a drop-in replacement for currently used fiber. Linden proposes the use of a new class of materials for use as extruded optical fiber buffer. The new materials will have high strength, low cold creep, high flexibility and kink resistant. Fibers using the new buffer can be used in both ribbon and cable constructions. The fibers will be a drop in replacement and compatible with MT and 29504 type connector.