Fiber optic data links are attractive for their wide bandwidth, low weight, electromagnetic interference immunity and ability to transmit high fidelity analog and digital radio-frequency-over-fiber (RFoF) signals. Multicore fiber (MCF) links will provide even higher capacity and density and enhance dynamic range analog links using parallel fibers of precisely equal length. The need for a high-quality, ruggedized MCF connector, enabling pluggable, high capacity, fiber optic link ports across military platforms, warrants the establishment of a MIL-spec for such a connector. In Phase I, Chiral Photonics, Inc. (CPI), will design an MCF connector that meets the environmental and mechanical requirements for fiber connectors as outlined in MIL-PRF-64266 while addressing repeatability requirements. Leveraging its experience in MCF fanouts and optical fiber connectorization and, in cooperation with a provider of MIL-spec connectors to the U.S. military, CPI will focus on MIL-spec-ready connectors based on commercially available NGCON and MPO connectors. CPI will simulate the performance of the MCF connector, create a prototype and conduct initial repeatability testing. The Phase I effort will enable a path into Phase II where a scalable connector will be constructed and tested and will be the basis for a new MIL-spec , military grade MCF connector.
Benefit: Just as the bayonet Navy connector (BNC) has become a world-wide standard for both military and commercial electronics, CPIs proposed development of a high quality, ruggedized, repeatable, low-insertion loss, MCF connector which will establish a common high density fiber optic connector standard for use in both military and commercial applications. This work will advance the militarys need for scalable capacity and density with ruggedization as well as non-military applications such as sensors, commercial data centers and networks. The use of MCF in optical RFoF links will leverage the progress in wideband high-power photodetectors to improve the dynamic range of analog optical links. Parallel fiber cores of equal length in combination with balanced detectors will improve the dynamic range of RFoF links. Use of MCF provides many fiber cores that are very close in length on a given link. For example, for a 100 GHz RF signal, the wavelength is 3 mm. This is a pathlength difference which can readily be maintained between fiber cores over an MCF-based link. In Phase I, CPI will initially address Mil-spec NGCON connectors and MPO/PC (physical contact) connectors with emphasis on 1550 nm (i.e. C-band) performance. This development effort will lay the groundwork for a MIL-spec MCF connector technology that can also accommodate angled physical contact (APC) and expanded beam (EB) MCF interfaces, operating over a variety of wavelength bands.
Keywords: MCF fanout, MCF fanout, MPO connector, Space Division Multiplexing, RFoF, Radio Frequency over Fiber, Multicore Fiber, Multicore Fiber Fanout, NGCON
