Stran Technologies qualifies fiber-optic connectors to military standards
Stran Technologies in Naugatuck, Conn., is offering U.S. government Qualified Part List (QPL)-approved cylindrical multipin and socket fiber-optic connectors manufactured and qualified to the requirements in MIL-PRF-28876E. This series of connectors provide multichannel interconnects that use contacts (termini) in a single circular shell. The M28876 connectors offer a reliable and ruggedized interconnect product to provide low loss over more than 20 years of life in harsh environments. Various configurations allow this series to accommodate many variables based upon the customers needs. The connectors feature corrosion-resistant coatings, single-mode/multimode operation, resistance to high-impact shock and thermal extremes, field maintainability, low loss, environmental and moisture sealing, and sealed floating termini design. Target applications include marine and navy shipboard systems, petrochemical environments, and caustic environments. Qualified shell sizes include size 13 and 15. The insert arrangements for these connectors can contain four, six, or eight termini. Stran can also provide QPL approved termini for multimode applications. These have passed the requirements of M29504/14 (pins) and /15 (sockets). For more information contact Stran online at www.strantech.com.
Northrop Grumman to supply laser designators to U.S. forces under
The Northrop Grumman Corp. Laser Systems business unit in Apopka, Fla., won a contract from the U.S. Navy to supply lightweight, laser target designators for use by U.S. forces. The target designators determine the distance to a target and place precision-guided munitions on an exact position. Northrop Grumman’s Laser Systems business unit will immediately begin providing the AN/PEQ-1B Laser Target Designator and associated items to the Naval Surface Warfare Center at Crane, Ind., with final deliveries expected to be complete by September 2009. The AN/PEQ-1B has proven effective on the battlefield and in urban combat where precision targeting is key to avoiding collateral damage. “This contract is significant because it allows U.S. forces a quick and effective means for obtaining laser target designators,” said Gregory Williams, general manager of the company’s Laser Systems business unit.
Oakley expands military optics business with acquisition of Eye Safety Systems
Sunglasses maker Oakley Inc. in Foothill Ranch, Calif., is moving into the military optics business with its acquisition of Eye Safety Systems Inc. (ESS) in Sun Valley, Idaho, a supplier of military, law-enforcement, and firefighting protective eyewear. Oakley has signed a definitive agreement to acquire essentially all the assets of ESS for $110 million cash. Oakley provides sunglasses, goggles, and prescription eyewear, while ESS creates eye-protection systems for soldiers, firefighters, and police. The acquisition is expected to closed during the first half of 2007. For more information contact Oakley online at www.oakley.com.
Lynx optical amplifiers extend optical networks
Lynx Photonic Networks in Woodland Hills, Calif., is unveiling a line of optical amplifiers, expanding its LightLEADER family of carrier-class standalone systems. The LightLEADER 6100 is a rack mountable Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier (EDFA) system and boosts optical signals within fiber networks. Telecommunications and cable operators can extend the distance traffic can be carried by placing the LL6100 along the fiber path, reducing the need for expensive signal regeneration equipment. EDFAs are for long-haul links and are can be cost effective when used together with DWDM links. “These systems are based on a proprietary design that extends the product life well beyond what is common in the industry,” says Beni Kopelovitz, president and chief technology officer of Lynx. The product is suitable for deployment in outdoor conditions. For more information contact Lynx online at www.LynxPN.com.
Edmund Optics offers laser modules for positioning and machine vision
Edmund Optics Inc. in Barrington, N.J., is introducing a line of electro-optical laser-diode modules for industrial, medical, and research environments in applications such as alignment and positioning, lighting, pointing, machine-vision, and metrology. The laser-diode modules offer stabilized optical output power in TEM00 mode beams that have a M2 quality measurement less than 1.5. (A perfectly Gaussian beam has an M2 = 1.) The modules incorporate collimating optics within their compact, lightweight anodized aluminum housings. The collimated beams offer a divergence of less than 0.5 milliradians. There are 10 models, both modulated and unmodulated, at 635- and 785-nanometer wavelengths. Output powers range from 1 to 6 milliwatts. Module operating lifetime at room temperature is 30,000 hours, but they can be used at temperatures ranging from -10 to 40 degrees Celsius. The module runs on 5-volts DC with maximum operating current ranges from 50 to 100 milliamps, depending on the model. For more information contact Edmund Optics online at www.edmundoptics.com.
AMX launches autopatch fiber-optic matrix switcher line
AMX in Richardson, Texas, is launching a line of fiber-optic matrix switchers to convert digital and analog high-resolution video inputs. Federal, state, and local governments, along with private sector organizations, are increasingly adopting fiber-optic networks because of the advantages they offer over other paths of communication. For example, fiber optics allows highly-secure, digital data transmission over longer distances and at higher data rates with no signal degradation. The new AutoPatch EpicaDG was designed for large audio/video (A/V) installations, such as command-and-control or network operations centers that must distribute sensitive, mission-critical information over fiber. “A very large federal agency first approached us about a need they had for incredibly secure, lightning-fast, no-fail signal switching,” says Robert Noble, AMX chief technology officer. “This new product family eliminates the need for individual signal paths for each video format. Now it’s anything in, anything out.” The EpicaDG converts digital and analog high-resolution video inputs out to several video formats simultaneously. Digital visual interface (DVI) and fiber input/output (I/O) boards are available today, while analog video, standard definition serial digital interface (SD-SDI), and high-definition serial digital interface (HD-SDI) are scheduled for release in 2007. The EpicaDG offers remote front-panel control, along with an RS-232 port for communicating with an AMX or other manufacturers’ control system. Additional features of the EpicaDG include advanced system self-diagnostics, redundant power supplies, groupings, and presets. For more information contact AMX online at www.amx.com.
