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LightCONEX LC Series

Active blind-mate optical interconnect

The LightCONEX® series of optical plug-in and backplane module connectors for VPX systems is Smiths Interconnects’ answer to the stringent SWaP requirements of today’s defense applications in which fiber optics are replacing high bandwidth copper interconnects. This VPX series of active, blind-mate optical interconnects solution offers flexibility, light weight, very high bandwidth, and forward compatibility. The LightCONEX active blind-mate optical interconnect is a revolutionary solution for VPX systems that includes a fixed, plug-in module connector and a floating backplane connector compatible with proposed VITA 66.5 standard.

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Features & Benefits

The low-profile plug-in module connector is screwed on the board edge through an interposer, saving board space and eliminating fiber cable handling. The backplane connector has a spring-loaded mechanical transfer (MT) ferrule to ensure a secure optical mating connection under extreme shock and vibration conditions.

  • Increases volumetric density of 3U and 6U high-speed switch and payload VPX boards by integrating optical transceiver into plug-in connector.
  • Intermateability with VITA 66.5-defined backplane connectors enables multiple sources and drives faster design cycles.
  • Reduces optical interconnect SWaP with rugged MIL-STD qualified, edge-mounted, optical interconnects.
  • Enables ultra-high port bandwidth density of up to 720 Gbps full-duplex in a half-width slot.
  • Simplifies VPX board assembly and rework by eliminating fiber pigtail on edge-mount transceiver.
  • 10G and 28G per channel datarates in TRX, TX-only, and RX-only configurations.

Applications

  • VPX single board computing
  • C4ISR embedded systems
  • AESA radars
  • High throughtput Ethernet switches
LightCONEX backplane module connector (Style-C-D)

LightCONEX backplane module connectors (style C and D shown here side-by-side).

LightCONEX plug-in module connector (Style-D-C)

LightCONEX plug-in module connectors (style D and C shown here side-by-side).



Interactive Animation

Optical Plug-in Connectors

The LightCONEX® plug-in module connector contains the optical transceiver with its MT ferrule, an LGA interposer, and a connector shroud. 

  • Plug-in module connectors are secured with screws directly to the edge of the host board along with their dedicated LGA interposers.
  • 5.6 mm transceiver height (module and interposer)
  • Up to two additional passive optical ports that are connected with detachable cables to mid-board mounted LightABLE transceivers.

The main components of the optical plug-in module connector are:​

  1. Connector shroud, with:
  2. Optional additional MT ferrule(s) in positions MT-B and MT-C
  3. Slot Primary Guiding Feature
  4. Interposer
  5. Optical transceiver (its MT ferrule in position MT-A). Plug-in connectors do not include cables. Cables are ordered separately.
Plug-in module connector diagram

Optical transceiver with connector shroud


plug-in module connectors style A,B,C and D

Style A

The LightCONEX plug-in module connector Style A is dedicated for the VITA 66.4 aperture and is a unique style with the slot primary alignment feature located above the optical transceiver.

Style C and D

The LightCONEX plug-in module connector for the VITA 67.3 apertures are available in two versions. They have connector shrouds for each respective styles with the slot primary guiding feature located below the optical transceiver. 

Style C

Style C has one optical transceiver.

Style D

Style D has one optical transceiver and two cabled MT.

Interposers

233-position interposer
233-position interposer
96-position interposer
96-position interposer

LightCONEX plug-in module connector options:

Optical transceivers

​The plug-in module connectors are equipped with optical transceivers offering multiple transmit and receive and bandwidth configurations :
  • LightCONEX 10G 4TRX module: for Styles A, C, and D
  • LightCONEX 10G 12RX, 12TX, and 12TRX modules: for Styles A, C, and D
  • LightCONEX 28G 4TRX, 12TX, and 12RX modules: for Style C and D

Interposers

  • 415-00005: 2.74 mm, 96 positions. Style A
  • 415-00011: 3.03 mm, 233 positions. Style A
  • 415-00018: 1 mm, 96 positions. Style C and D
  • 415-00019: 1.2 mm, 233 positions. Style C and D
  • 415-00041: 1.55 mm, 96 positions. Style C and D

LightCONEX optical performance

The LightCONEX 10G LC Series and LightCONEX 28G LC Series optical modules are available in different configurations. These modules offer flexibility, light weight, very high bandwidth, and forward compatibility.

10G 4TRX optical module, Style D
10G 4TRX optical module, Style D
28G 4TRX optical module, Style D
28G 4TRX optical module, Style D

LightCONEX 10G 4TRX, 12RX, 12TX, and 12TRX modules

  • Performance: 10.3125 Gbps/channel from –40 ºC to 85 ºC
  • Size: 5.6 mm high (module and interposer)
  • Ruggedness: MIL-STD 883 shock and vibration qualified
  • Ingress protection: Moisture and thermal shock resistant
  • Reach: up to 300 m, OM3 fiber
  • Sensitivity: –12 dBm or –9 dBm with BER 10–12 
  • Power consumption: 1.4 W (12-channel, 10.3125G). 2.8 W (24-channel, 10.3125G)

LightCONEX 28G 4TRX modules

  • Performance: 28 Gbps/lane from –40 ºC to 85 ºC
  • Size: 5.6 mm high (module and interposer)
  • Ruggedness: MIL-STD 883 shock and vibration qualified
  • Ingress protection: Moisture and thermal shock resistant
  • Reach: up to 100 m, OM3 fiber
  • Sensitivity: –7.5 dBm (typical) with BER 10–12
  • Power consumption: 1.4 W (4+4-lane, 28G)

Backplane Connectors

The LightCONEX® optical backplane module connector consists of a connector shell and insert. The shell is designed to provide float for the insert in both the X- and Y-directions to enable alignment of the MT ferrule mating interfaces. The design complies with the ANSI/VITA 66.4 mating requirements with the MT ferrule displacement occurring within the backplane connector.

The main components of the backplane module connector are:

  1. Connector shells for VITA 67.3 Module Types C, D, and F.
  2. Connector inserts available in VITA 66.5 Styles A, C, and D. The main components of the insert are:
  3. Tab primary guiding feature
  4. MT ferrule(s) with alignment pins
  5. Removable fiber back-clamp
  6. Optical cable assembly with spring (several cable options are available).
Plug-in backplane connector diagram

Connector shells

Different backplane connector shells are available to accommodate VITA apertures:

tyle A is dedicated for the VITA 66.4 aperture

 

Backplane connector shells for:

  • Module Type F
  • Module Type D
  • Module Type C
  • Module Type E 

Connector inserts

The LightCONEX backplane connector inserts are available in three styles:

LightCONEX backplane inserts

Style A insert

The LightCONEX backplane connector insert Style A design is intended for active optical applications utilizing the 0.8-in. board pitch. It is dedicated for the VITA 66.4 aperture.

  • Tab primary guiding feature located above the single MT ferrule.
  • Module connector compatible with VITA 66.4 aperture (0.8 in. pitch).

Style C insert

The LightCONEX backplane connector insert Style C design is dedicated for the VITA 66.4 aperture.

  • 1× MT only, or hybrid with 1× MT and 10 nanoRF above

Style D insert

The LightCONEX backplane connector insert Style D design is dedicated for the VITA 66.4 aperture.

 

  • 3× MT. The lower MT ferrule mates with the plug-in module active MT, while the upper MT ferrules on the plug-in side are cabled to mid-board mounted transceivers.

LightCONEX backplane module connector options:

Connector shells

Different backplane connector shells are available to accom­modate VITA apertures:

  • 450-00070: Backplane connector shell for Module F
  • 450-00065: Backplane connector shell for Module D
  • 450-00066: Backplane connector shell for Module C
  • 450-00104: Backplane connector shell for Module E

Inserts

Backplane module inserts are available in the following configu­rations:

  • 415-00025: Backplane connector insert Style A
  • 415-00032: Backplane connector insert Style C
  • 415-00051: Backplane connector insert Style D

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