LightConex optical interconnects are compatible with VITA 66.5 and SOSA
Optical plug-in and backplane module connectors released by Smith Interconnect are compatible with the VITA 66.5 draft standard and are aligned with the SOSA (Sensor Open Systems Architecture) technical standard for VPX systems within rugged embedded computing applications and sensor systems.
Building on the reliability and robustness of Smiths Interconnect’s Reflex Photonics technology for optical modules, the LightConex active blind-mate optical interconnect system is for VPX systems that incorporate an optical transceiver into the plug-in module connector. The optical interconnect meets military standard requirements for shock, vibration and harsh environmental conditions, confirmed Smiths Interconnect.
The SOSA Consortium is developing a common framework for transitioning sensor systems to an open systems architecture, based on key interfaces and open standards established by industry-government consensus. Smiths Interconnect has been a leader in the VITA 66.5 standard development under OpenVPX and is an active member of the SOSA consortium, which references the VITA 66.5 draft standard.
Tullio Panarello, vice president and general manager of the fibre optics and components business unit at Smiths Interconnect, said that the LightConex family of optical interconnects meets the stringent size, weight and power (SWaP) requirements of today’s SOSA-aligned defence applications. “[The system] offers flexibility, light weight, very high bandwidth and forward compatibility with developing standards, while addressing the challenges of high bandwidth port density and volumetric density on the plug-in card,” he said.
The LightConex blind-mate optical interconnect system includes a fixed plug-in connector and a floating backplane connector compatible with the VITA 66.5 standard. The low profile, plug-in transceiver connector is screw mounted on the board edge through an electrical interposer to save board space and to eliminate fibre cable handling. The backplane connector has a spring-loaded MT to ensure a secure MT to MT mating connection under extreme shock and vibration conditions, said Smiths Interconnect.
According to the company, the LightConex VPX optical interconnects offer increased volumetric density with 10G or 25G edge-mounted transceivers incorporated into the plug-in interconnect. Port bandwidth density is up to 700Gbits per second full-duplex in a half-width aperture. Other features are ease of VPX board assembly and rework with the elimination of fibre pigtail on the edge-mount transceiver. In addition, the rugged interconnects are capable of 500 mating cycles and qualified to MIL-STD-1344A for shock and vibration.
