Fiber Optics For Aerospace and Military Applications 46418_GoreBooklet.indd 1 11/21/07 1:42:34 PM
In 1958, W. L. Gore & Associates was founded with the mission to Broad fiber optic capabilities for military and aerospace applications: develop new capabilities based on fluorocarbon polymers, especially polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and expanded Pre-formed assemblies, fan-outs, custom bundle assemblies, cable, and connectors polytetrafluoroethylene (eptfe). For nearly 50 years, Gore has been driven by the challenge of creating innovative, standardsetting products that are revolutionary in their effect. From high-performance Hybrid optical / copper assemblies fabrics used in the most hostile environments, to stent grafts that repair threatening aneurysms in the human body, to electronic components used in outer space exploration, Gore has the heritage of developing innovative products that perform in the History of solving challenging cable and assembly problems harshest conditions, meet scientific, fitness-for-use quality life-testing, and are offered throughout a variety of industries.
Fiber Optics for aerospace and military applications Competitive Advantage through Fiber Optic Capabilities Gore provides high performance fiber optic cables, assemblies, and custom packaging for military and aerospace applications. Because of Gore s long heritage with the military and aerospace industries, GORE Products better address the unique requirements of military and aerospace system designers. When compared to telecomgrade fiber optic products, GORE Mil-Aero Fiber Optic Products offer improvements in operating temperature range, vibration, mechanical shock, tension, minimum bend radius, chemical resistance, and overall ruggedness without compromising size or flexibility. eptfe and Fiber Optics Traditional fiber optic cable materials affect the well-known optical stability of a bare fiber. GORE Fiber Optic Cable is differentiated from traditional cable by an expanded PTFE buffer system that effectively decouples the optical fiber from other cable elements. As a result, optical performance of a GORE Cable closely approximates that of a bare optical fiber, even under mechanical or thermal stresses. This differentiating technology is common to all GORE Fiber Optic Cable products: ribbon interconnects, high strength tether cables, hybrid round cables, and simplex cables. Why Gore Gore is broadly experienced in all military and commercial interconnects, fiber types and coatings. A full range of Deutsch connectors, MIL-DTL-38999 connectors, as well as commercial connectors from simplex to MT ribbon connectors are available on GORE Fiber Optic Assemblies. Gore engineers are ready to respond to your custom assembly and harness requirements working handin-hand with your design engineers. Whatever the requirements, Gore can work from your 3D CAD files and respond with preformed, rapid prototypes. Gore has the product portfolio and experience to offer a wide array of solutions with the required performance.
Fiber Optics for aerospace and military applications Solutions Start With Cable Gore offers a variety of fiber optic cable options that address the unique requirements of military and aerospace system designers. GORE Fiber Optic Cable offers improvements in operating temperature range, minimum bend radius, chemical resistance, and overall ruggedness without compromising size or flexibility. Cable forms include ribbon, 0.9mm, 1.2mm, and 1.8mm simplex. Solving Installation Challenges With Pre-Formed, Robust Assemblies The customer s mil-aero box assembly left little room to route a fiber optic interconnect. Many installers do not specialize in fiber optic installations and are unfamiliar with the requirements and procedures to effectively install fiber optics without exceeding minimum bend radius. A ribbon fiber assembly s MT interface had to transition to a MIL-DTL-38999 connector while meeting EMI limits and atmospheric pressure sealing. Extreme temperature, harsh shock and vibration testing also had to be passed for complete qualification. Gore created a drop-in solution that met all the challenges. Working from the customer s CAD files, Gore designed a pre-formed assembly easing installation. A custom MIL-DTL-38999 backshell solved the EMI and pressure sealing requirements, while the use of 125 C rated optical fiber allowed the GORE Assembly to pass all military qualifications. Output Power (microwatts) 12 10 8 6 4 2 Gore Competitor 0 0 7 14 22 28 36 Number of Thermal Cycles Data courtesy of Melanie Ott. Solution included: GORE MT Interface to MIL-DTL-38999 connector Pre-formed assembly Custom EMI backshell Stable performance from -40 C to +125 C Full military qualifications Products operate in a variety of operating temperatures from -65 C to +150 C and offer tight bend radii. Spaceflight qualified cable is also available. Regardless of your cable requirements, Gore has a solution. Optimized Packaging Engineered and optimized for Quick Turnaround your application Rapid prototyping, even with custom cable Work from 3D CAD files Automated production termination available Minimized routing complexity Eases fiber optic installation Pre-formed assemblies, fan-outs, custom bundled assemblies Solving Performance Challenges In Extreme Temperature Performance Mil-aero applications often involve extreme environmental limits, including extreme temperatures, which can affect the performance of an assembly if it is not designed to withstand these limits. Application Engineering support Performance Glass optical fiber itself is robust, but its optical loss can be severely affected Unmatched stable optical performance Extreme temperature, shock, and vibration performance Crush and tensile load resistance assemblies by how it is packaged and protected in 5 100 an assembly. The 80 0 stiffness and thermal 60 expansion of glass -5 and the materials 40 used in assemblies are vastly different. -10 20 0 Micro-bending induces -15 Gore advantage loss as a result of -20 mismatches of material -20 properties. -25 Gore Design Brand X Design Temp -40-60 This single-mode fiber 0 100 200 300 400 Time (minutes) application required mil-aero environmental exposures. The competitive solution experienced large micro-bending optical loss at cold temperatures. Gore engineered a robust assembly that solved this problem and provided optical stability (<1dB) across all environmental conditions. Change in Transmittance (db) Solution included: MT ribbon connector fan-out to MIL-T-29504 terminations Gore materials with stable performance from -40 C to +85 C Robust, molded fan-out Full military qualification Solving Installation Challenges With Pre-Formed, Robust Assemblies Gore worked with a customer on a shipboard application which involved tight backplane routing of fiber optic assemblies. The installers did not specialize in fiber optic installations and assembly failure due to overbending was a concern. The original design required a complex clamping system. Gore developed a fiber optic pre-formed assembly solution that eliminated the complex clamping system. Working from customer CAD files, the GORE Pre-formed Assembly made installation simple. The GORE Assembly used a cable resistant to the crushing caused by clamping under heavy shock and vibration. An example of a Gore solution is shown above. Solution included: Amphenol LRM connectors to MIL-T-29504 terminations Pre-formed assembly for simplified installation Crush resistant cabling for harsh shock and vibration exposure Temperature (C)
Fiber Optics for aerospace and military applications Gore Partners with Industry Leaders for Success To provide customers with the best product options Gore partners with the industry leaders. We view ourselves as an extension of our customers design teams. Through partnerships and much collaboration, we help to make products faster, better, and more cost-effective. Gore s partnership with Deutsch UK offers customers a complete line of fiber optic connectors and termini. Deutsch products are specifically designed for reliable and consistent performance in conditions that vary greatly. Connector families available include MC3, MC5 and RSC, all suitable for single-mode and multimode applications Fiber optic interconnect performance, quality and reliability are greatly dependent on the manufacturing process. ksaria is the leader in state-of-the-art fiber optic assembly automation technology. The alignment with ksaria offers advantages in performance, reliability and quality of fiber optic interconnectivity products. Experior Photonics is the leader in qualification testing services and fiber optic component testing services. Gore utilizes Experior Photonics because they specialize in qualification testing in accordance with industry standards including MIL-standards and Telcordia generic requirements (GRs). Call us at 1 (800) 445-GORE (4673), or internationally at +1 (302) 292-5100. Or visit gore.com to learn more about Gore s fiber optic capabilities and products.
Cable pre-forming eptfe buffer system Rapid prototyping Proprietary high-strength cable materials All mil-aero connectors Commercial and custom optical fiber and coatings All commercial connectors Extensive history of advanced cable engineering Termination automation by ksaria Mil-aero fiber optic cable Mil-aero fiber optic assembly Unsurpassed harsh environment performance Extreme temperature, shock and vibration Minimize routing complexity Crush, abrasion resistance Ease of installation Stable optical performance Unlimited solution space
Fiber Optic Capabilities For Military and Aerospace Applications Worldwide Sales and Support Contact Information China: Beijing +86 10 6510 2980 China: Shanghai +86 21 6247 1999 China: Shenzhen +86 755 8359 8262 Germany +49 9144 6010 International +1 302 292 5100 Japan +81 3 3570 8712 Korea +82 2 393 3411 North America 1 800 445 4673 Singapore +65 6 733 2882 Taiwan +886 2 8771 7799 United Kingdom +44 1382 561511 GORE and designs are trademarks of W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. 2007 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. 402 Vieve s Way Elkton, MD 21921 1 (800) 445-GORE (4673) www.gore.com