New compact designs in consumer electronics have increased the demand for smaller interconnect solutions. To meet this requirement, Molex has announced a new plastic optical fibre data link solution. Based on the Molex small media interconnect ‘SMI’, this solution offers seamless, low cost optical data link solutions, as well as space saving qualities through its reduced size and added surface mount capabilities.
As a complete duplex POF solution, the Molex SMI connector and transceiver interconnect system has been adopted by the IEEE 1394 trade committee and is now gaining momentum as the industry standard for POF interconnects. The optical data links have low power consumption and are compatible with IEEE 802.3u fast Ethernet data communications standards, making them an attractive interface for a variety of applications. Available in active device transceivers, adapters, cables and field termination tooling, this system can be employed in consumer electronic devices such as audio, video, home networking and entertainment equipment. They are also well-suited in OEM equipment applications such as data link solutions and networking markets, including industrial, home/office network PC and server applications.
“By re-tooling the SMI optical transceivers, Molex is able to continue providing innovative technologies and designs in high-speed data connections,” said Tom Marrapode, Director of Marketing, Molex. “Its flexible mounting capabilities and reduced housing space frees valuable PCB real estate, quickly making the SMI POF interconnect system vital to compact POF based product designs.”
Using Firecomms RCLED-based 650nm FOT TX/RX transceivers, Molex SMI based data links offer high-speed long distance links with data speeds up to 250Mbps for 50 metres. The Firecomms FOTs have digitally integrated driver circuitry to reduce PCB real estate and are compatible with CML signalling for seamless integration into Ethernet hubs. The FOT system’s high sensitivity receiver IC and pin-diode for one-step light to digital conversion also allows integrated optics to efficiently focus and direct light.
With surface or through-hole soldering mounting options, the SMI transceivers have been reduced in size and now allow for lower cost, high volume surface mount processing. SMI offers duplex, push-pull positive latching with a safe-release mechanism for consumer applications, providing secure and safe de-mating features. The easy no-epoxy, no-polish field termination process, with specialized tooling, gives installers quick and simple field terminations.