Miniature Robust Hybrid Connector

To address the Navy’s need for a miniaturize hybrid fiber optic/copper circular connector for use in the Buoyant Cable Antenna (BCA) System, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Miniature Robust Hybrid Connector (MiRHyC). This proposed hybrid connector is based on proprietary non-imaging optics and an advanced mechanical package. The innovative connector design will enable the MiRHyC to offer robustness, making it insensitive to mechanical shock and vibration and relaxing alignment requirements. Use of innovative modular inserts and a miniature fiber connector assembly offers increased contact density while providing the BCA designers flexibility in using different combinations of electrical and fiber optic contacts. This connector will have a rigid section outer diameter (OD) of <0.625 in. and mated length (excluding strain relief) of <1.25 in. and will be waterproof to a pressure of 1,050 psi, and have mated tensile strength of 350 lb. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate the feasibility of the MiRHyC by designing and testing a Technology Readiness Level (TRL 4) prototype. Finite element modeling (FEM) and solid modeling will be used to validate this design. In Phase II, this prototype will be optimized and upgraded to achieve a high TRL of 6.