14 November 2003 Chicago, IL Lightwave --Stratos Lightwave, Inc. has announced a new line of rotary joints for fiber-optic systems. These devices are the optical equivalent of the electrical slip ring, allowing uninterrupted transmission of data in applications that require 360 degrees rotation of the fiber.
These rotary joints support communication using singlemode, multimode, broadband, CWDM, or DWDM technologies. Available variations of Stratos fiber-optic rotary joints (FORJs) include units for submersion in water, for high pressure, for miniature systems, for high RPM, for multi-fiber cables, and for broad spectral range use. All versions are resistant to water and dust ingress and feature stainless steel construction with ceramic ball bearings.
Insertion loss is 2dB maximum (< 1 dB typical), with a return loss > 45 dB. Bandwidth is 850-1650 nm for standard versions, down to 635 nm for broadband. Maximum optical power level is +23 dBm, and the maximum physical load on the fiber is 10 N (for 900-micron fiber). Rotational speeds of up to 100 RPM (2000 RPM for the high-RPM version) are supported.
While Stratos is offering these FORJs as individual components, the company is also providing complete subsystems that incorporate them. The company says it will custom-design virtually any optical subsystem using these joints.
The rotary joints are available now. Pricing for the joints varies from $1000 to $5000 each, depending on the version ordered and the options specified. Pricing for the custom development and/or manufacturing of subsystems using these joints is determined on a case-by-case basis.