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In the physical contact connectors the optical signal is transferred by direct contact of the polished heads of the fibres, that are glued in the precise, ceramic (rarely metallic) tubes, called ferrules. The drawing below illustrates such connection. The exact positioning of the ferrules is provided by the precise sleeve, usually ceramic. Precise pressure on the fibres is applied by springs, that comes together with male or female contacts. Contacts are saddled in the insert, which is mounted inside the metal or composite shell.
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| Fibre optic contacts for military application. Female contact with spring and metal sleeve (above), male contact (below). |
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Two sides of the connector before the connection. |
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Two sides of the connector after the connection |
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Strengths:
- relatively low price
- simple and reliable design
- low insertion loss
- high back reflectance (for some application possible to use APC ferrules)
- multi channel applications (up to 72)
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Panel side of the THD48 connector (48 channels) together with the protective cap. |
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Weakneses:
- exposed to mechanical damage of the surface lower resistance for dirt and dust when compared to the expanded beam connectors
- more difficult to clean
- shorter life-cycle (lower number of mating cycles)
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Physical contact connector with the hermaphroditic interface in the aluminium anodized shell. |
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Radiotechnika Marketing offers the following types and series of physical contact connectors:
- MFM simplex, MFM duplex
- HMFM, HMFM SM
- HDM, HQM
- TVP
- BDC, MBC
- MBP
- RNJOP- LJTOP
- TVOP
- TFOCA, TFOCA II, TFOCA III- THD-48
- FS-12
- M28876 series
- MIL-38999 series III
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| Composite MIL-38999-III connectors. Panel connector (left) with the male contacts inside the insert, cable plug without the back shell (right), two contacts loaded. |
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Nickel plated, bayonet lock BDC series connectors. Panel connector (left) and cable plug (right). |
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