ODU to unveil new rugged connectors at DSEI

Image courtesy ODU 

ODU connectors offer high-speed data transmission with up to 70% less weight. Even in the smallest installation space, different transmission variants can be configured and are particularly suitable for military land platforms, unmanned systems, wearables for soldiers and customised solutions for special military applications and payloads. By adding a new fibre-optic range, ODU are now looking at providing even greater performance.

ODU Expanded Beam Performance Connectors
Matching the optical performance of Physical Contact fibre-optics with an advanced Expanded Beam technology, offering high-end transmission characteristics over many mating cycles, with no cleaning required under normal conditions of 50,000 mating cycles at –65°C to +105°C.


 
Insertion loss
Multimode: < 0.15 dB (typical) / < 0.3 dB (max.) 
Singlemode: < 0.35 dB (typical) / < 0.7 dB (max.) 
Return loss 
Multimode: > 45 dB (typical) / ≥ 35 dB (min.) 
Singlemode: > 60 dB (typical) / ≥ 55 dB (min.)

The Expanded Beam Performance ferrules central to new connectors. Each ferrule can connect 12 optical fibres via a non-contact lens system. 

A space saving cassette arrangement of the ferrules allows the system to be expanded to up to 96 optical fibres. 

This has resulted in three new products, in differing configurations: 

ODU Backplane 
Connects modules to the mission computer and allows them to be quickly replaced: thanks to Expanded Beam insensitivity to dust and pollution, providing quick and easy maintenance. 



It is available in three versions, as defined in upcoming VITA standards:

• VITA 96.1 (drop-in replacement for VITA 66.1) – up to 96 fibres
• VITA 96.4 (drop-in replacement for VITA 66.4) – up to 48 fibres 
• VITA 96.5 (drop-in replacement for VITA 66.5) – up to 72 fibres  

ODU Tactics 
Combines proven MIL-DTL 38999, Series III connectors with the highly innovative Expanded Beam Performance technology, the VITA 95 interconnect system takes fibre- optic transmission in aircraft to a new level.



It is available with Expanded Beam Performance contacts, in four shell sizes:

• Shell 11 (25.0mm plug) – up to 24 fibres 
• Shell 13 (29.4mm plug) – up to 48 fibres
• Shell 15 (32.5mm plug) – up to 72 fibres 
• Shell 17 (35.7mm plug) – up to 96 fibres  

ODU AMC Series T – Beyond 38999
This alternative to the standardised MIL-DTL-38999 Series lll connector, has an innovative 3-in-1 plug locking options of push-pull, snatch or screw-lock onto a common bulkhead: qualified to 38999 test standards but with an even smaller footprint. Available with Expanded Beam Performance contacts, in four space-saving shell sizes:

• Shell  9 (18.4mm plug) – up to 24 fibres 
• Shell 12 (24.9mm plug) – up to 48 fibres
• Shell 14 (27.9mm plug) – up to 72 fibres 
• Shell 16 (30.9mm plug) – up to 96 fibres