LISLE, IL - Molex Incorporated has announced the development and first samples of a new IEEE 1394 small multimedia interface (SMI) plastic optical fiber (POF) connector and transceiver system to help enable home and industrial networking applications between various electronic devices. The new duplex-style SMI POF connector system is the first plastic fiberoptic connector system able to operate at S200 (250 Mbit/s) speeds for up to 50 m. The system meets 1394b high-speed signaling specifications, and can accommodate S400 bandwidth as new light sources are introduced. The system is designed to handle multiple data streams of video and audio at the same time to link devices such as high definition TVs, set-top boxes, various digital media recorders, audio units, and PCs. The SMI POF connector system also offers low insertion loss for optimal signal integrity and the FOTs are shielded for good electromagnetic (EMI) interference characteristics.
Molex’s SMI POF connector system features a duplex-style fiberoptics assembly that includes light sources developed by Firecomms, Ltd. The Firecomms transceiver is an active component that converts the fiberoptic light source into an electrical signal. Molex’s SMI POF connector system is designed for use initially in stand-alone and wall-plate repeater boxes, networking applications, and possibly installed directly into set-top boxes, plasma and LCD flat display screens, and other home wall-mount consumer appliances.
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The Molex SMI POF system features a push-pull type cable plug that allows a “safe” disconnect without damage to the FOT or cable plug. In the family of products, a plastic coupler is available for optical in-line connections. The coupler can also be mounted into a standard wall-plate for pass-through applications.
“These new SMI component systems coincide with the recent emergence of high-bandwidth consumer devices such as high-definition TV and home networking,” said Declan O’Mahoney, CEO of Firecomms. “The small size and ease of use of the Molex SMI system delivers the ideal interconnect for POF home networks.”
Molex’s new SMI connector systems are half the size of previous PN-type plastic fiber connectors. They can be used with different types of stepped index POF cable and offers a light, reliable, low-cost connection method for home networking in a form factor about the same size as the RJ-45 industry standard.
Molex plans to develop similar IDB-1394 automotive POF products using the same light sources for scales of economy and manufacturing. An announcement on these new automotive POF products is scheduled for early 2005.
