November 30, 2005 Harrisburg, PA -- The PRO BEAM connector series from Tyco Electronics is a fiber-optic interconnect designed specifically for high data rate connections where resistance to severe environmental conditions is paramount. Based on the company's expanded beam optics technology, the PRO BEAM Jr. interconnects are a non-contact, separable interface.
According to the company, with expanded beam technology, each connector half employs an optical sphere that expands an optical transmission then refocuses or collimates the transmission as it passes through the other connector half. With this technology, the connector interface is easily cleaned and maintained. More importantly, according to the company, the precise expansion and collimation of the optical transmission allows for easy connector alignment and has very low sensitivity to thermal changes, and contamination. Resistance to vibration and low-loss performance makes the expanded beam interface well suited for many aerospace, avionics, field communication, defense, and other situations where harsh operating conditions exist.
The PRO BEAM series of connectors has been expanded and shrunk in size to allow for several arrangements. First, the connector can be used with ARINC 600 and 404 shells in conjunction with appropriate inserts and holder blocks. Also, MIL-C-38999 shell size 11 can accept the PRO BEAM Mini inserts. Other packaging includes circular connector shells styles commonly found on tactical communication cable assemblies.
Performance attributes of the PRO BEAM series connectors include typical insertion loss of 0.5 � 1.0 dB @ 1300 nm (optical, multimode) or 0.5 � 1.0 dB @1310 nm (optical singlemode). Mechanical specifications for sinusoidal vibration, bump, free fall, temperature, and immersion are available.
The PRO BEAM series connectors are available with aluminum shells or nickel aluminum bronze shells for high saline environments. Aluminum shells can be clear hard anodized or green chromate conversion zinc plated.