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Optical Backplane Connectors

The LightCONEX® optical interconnect family includes plug-in and backplane module connectors that have been developed to be compliant with the forthcoming VITA 66.5 standard and in alignment with the SOSA™ technical standard. These active blind-mate optical interconnects are revolutionary solutions for VPX systems and meet the stringent SWaP requirements of today’s defense applications in which high-bandwidth fiber optic transceivers are replacing copper interconnects.

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Features & Benefits

The backplane connector has a spring-loaded mechanical transfer (MT) ferrule to ensure a secure MT-to-MT 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 bandwidth port bandwidth density of up to 700 Gbps full-duplex in a half-width slot.
  • Simplifies VPX board assembly and rework by eliminating fiber pigtail on edge-mount transceiver.

Configurations

10.3125G

  • 4TRX (40G, full duplex)
  • 12TX or 12RX (120G)
  • 12TRX (120G, full duplex)

28G

  • 4TRX (100G, full duplex),
  • 12TX or 12RX (300G), in development

Applications

  • VPX single board computing
  • C4ISR embedded systems
  • AESA radars
  • Ethernet switches, high BW communication link

The backplane connector is VITA 66.4 backplane cut-out compatible and includes springs to ensure a secure MT to MT mating connection under extreme shock and vibration conditions


Interactive Animation

Optical Backplane Module

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. Dedicated shells are available for VITA 67.3 apertures (modules types C, D, E, and F).
  2. ​Connector inserts. Different backplane connector shells are available to accommodate VITA 67.3 apertures. The main components of the insert are:
  3. Tab primary guiding feature
  4. MT ferrule(s) with alignment pin
  5. Optical cable (several options 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 connectors 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 designed to fit into the VITA 67.3 Module Type F aperture. The interface is standardized in VITA 66.5.

  • 1× MT only.
  • Module connector compatible with VITA 66.4 aperture (0.8 in. pitch).

Style C insert

The LightCONEX backplane connector insert Style C design is intended for active optical applications utilizing the 1 in. board pitch. It is designed to fit into VITA 67.3 Module Types C, D, and E apertures. The interface is standardized in VITA 66.5

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

Style D insert

The LightCONEX backplane connector insert Style D design is intended for active optical applications utilizing the 1 in. board pitch. It is designed to fit into VITA 67.3 Module Types C, D, and E apertures. The interface is standardized in VITA 66.5.
  • Up to 3× MT in which case 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 transceivers.

LightCONEX backplane module connector (Style-A)

LightCONEX backplane module connector (Style A, with Module F)

LightCONEX backplane module connector (Style-C)

LightCONEX backplane module connector (Style C, with Module D)

LightCONEX backplane module connector (Style-D)

LightCONEX backplane module connector (Style D, with Module D)

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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