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Fiber Optic Rotary Joints (FORJ)
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Fiber Optic Rotary Joints (FORJs) are to optical signals what electrical slip rings are to electrical signals, a means to pass signals across rotating interfaces, particularly when transmitting large amounts of data. FORJs maintain the intrinsic advantages of fiber end to end. Moog Components Group has been producing Fiber Optic Rotary Joints for over twenty years.
FORJs are available in single and multi-channel options. The most cost and size efficient options are the single and dual channel designs. If more than two fibers are present in a system, multiplexing solutions are available to combine multiple channels onto one or two fibers to allow the use of a one or two channel FORJ.
In cases where more than two fibers are required, Moog has three designs: the FO190, FO242 and FO291 where single channel modules are stacked to achieve the desired number of channels. The waveguide design, FO5707, uses a common waveguide for all fiber channels.
Singlemode or Multimode
Singlemode fibers allow the propagation of a singlemode of optical energy due to their small core size and small numerical aperture and for this reason they exhibit very high bandwidths. Most singlemode fiber systems operate at 1300 nm and 1550 nm wavelengths because of lower fiber attenuation at these wavelengths. Because of these smaller core sizes and numerical aperture, singlemode FORJs must be designed with very precise mechanical alignments.
Multimode fibers have large cores and large numerical apertures allowing the propagation of multiple modes of optical energy. These features allow larger amounts of light to be transmitted from sources such as LEDs and VCSELs, but result in higher attenuation and dispersion. Because of these attenuation and dispersion features, multimode fiber systems are typically used for shorter datacom links. Most multimode systems operate at 850 nm and 1300 nm.
Applications
| • Robotics |
• Material Handling Systems |
| • Vehicle Turrets |
• Remotely Operated Vehicles |
| • Radar Antennas |
• Fiber Optic Cable Reels |
| • Medical Systems |
• Video Surveillance Systems |
| • Security Systems |
• Marine Propulsion Systems |
| • Sensor Platforms |
• Wind Energy Turbines |
Size
Physical constraints are important in the selection of a FORJ. The FORJ Performance Data table shows product dimensions. Drawings for each product can be found in our product documentation. In addition to the on-axis models, we also have a through-bore FORJ design available for off-axis systems.
Features
| • Ruggedized for harsh environments |
| • Compact sizes |
| • Variety of configuration options |
| • Custom designs available |
Protocols
Most FORJs are passive devices that will work with any optical protocol suitable for the type of optical fiber used. Our FORJs operate with the following data protocols:
| • SERCOS |
• PROFIBUS |
| • Ethernet |
• ECL |
| • CANBUS |
• IRIG-B |
| • SDI |
• Tritech ARCNET |
| • TTL Serial Data |
• RS-232 / RS-485 / RS-422 |
| • Sensor Platforms |
• MIL-STD-1553 |
| • MS-900 / 97 |
• HD-SDI (HDTV) |
| • SERDES Protocols (e.g. TAXI, HotLink, GLINK) |
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| • OC-48 (2.5 Gbps) and OC-192 (10 Gbps) |
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| • SONET protocols and 10 GB Ethernet |
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Reliability
Our FORJs are designed for the most demanding conditions and are tested to rigorous environmental and performance standards. All materials and components have been selected to ensure the highest reliability in extreme environments, including shock and vibration, temperature, humidity and dust. These FORJ designs have proven performance records in both industrial and military applications with these environmental conditions.
Complete Rotary Interface
Typically fiber optic rotary joints are part of a more comprehensive rotary interface; in addition to the fiber passes there are electrical power and signal channels. As the largest slip ring supplier in the world, Moog Components Group is able to select the appropriate slip ring to integrate with any FORJ.
Moog Components Group is also able to integrate fluid rotary unions to allow the transfer of liquid or gas across the rotary interface. This includes both low pressure fluid lines such as would be used for a coolant or high pressure hydraulic lines. It is also common to incorporate other rotary components, such as resolvers, encoders, motors and actuators into advanced rotary interface assemblies.
These rotary interface solutions can be provided to meet unique environmental requirements from deep space to 5500 meters below the ocean surface. The integration of FORJs into more complete rotary interface assemblies allows optimum performance at the lowest cost to the customer.
05/27/08 Copyright © 2008 Moog Components Group. All rights reserved · email: mcg@moog.com
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