December 1, 2009 -- OKI Electric Cable and Japan Aviation Electronics Industry Ltd. announced that they have jointly developed an optical fiber cable with a connector enabling power to be supplied. Building on their strengths in large-diameter H-PCF [Hard Plastic Clad] optical fiber and Type PN [a a two-core fiber connector regulated under the IEC61754-16 commonly used for bi-transmission for PCF or plastic optical fiber/POF] connectors for factory automation (FA) and railway cars, the companies have succeeded in developing technology that wraps optical fiber with power lines.
The newly created optical fiber with power supply function can be developed into low-cost and compact terminal units. It can be used for monitors for the automotive industry and for monitoring cameras, for which demand is increasing. It will be available to the worldwide market from April 2010 onwards.
One of the benefits of optical fiber, which uses large-diameter H-PCF and Type PN connectors, is that it is not affected by noise. It is mainly used for industrial equipment and railway cars, where high-speed transmission and low-cost transmission route setting, are required.
Its structure consists of a special hollow conductor with thin wire conductors pressure-welded into pipes between the conventional two-core H-PCF fiber core wire and the jacket. Embedding the core fiber wire in the jacket, provides protection and power supply functions. In addition, the connector has been altered by fitting a hollow conductor in the conventional F07 type metal ferrule. Electrical connection takes place through the sleeve with contact via the terminal and joint parts. Moreover, the tip of the ferrule that jumps out of the connector case is insulated by covering it in plastic. This also helps to prevent short-circuits.
As the need for transmitting images using monitors and cameras increases, the demand from the automotive industry for systems capable of delivering high-speed and high-precision monitoring even in poor conditions is also growing. However, setting conditions for traffic systems, where state-of-the-art power supplies using optical fiber are required, have historically been limited since the power supply wire has not been embedded until now.
Furthermore, monitors for the automotive industry have traditionally required power at the tip of the monitor camera, so a power supply has previously been required for the monitor camera as well as the cable wire, maintains the companies.
"We are excited about this first joint product with OKI Electric Cable," says Yasutaka Akiyama, president of Japan Aviation Electronics Industry "This new hybrid connector has a worldwide standardized from factor, and makes it possible to save space and cost for our customers because it can replace two separate systems, fiber optic and power supply. "
Takashi Hattori, president of OKI Electric Cable adds, "We are pleased to announce a breakthrough in the industry: an optical fiber cable with a built-in power supply function. The product's original design enables it to achieve the same form and size as a conventional optical cable, while additionally delivering enhanced cable durability and providing a power supply. All of this would not have been possible without the partnership we have built with JAE."
Based on each of their strengths as connector and cable manufacturers, the two companies say they will work further to develop new markets.
