Product category:
Plugs and Sockets
News Release from: Molex UK | Subject: SMI POF connector system
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 01 March 2005
Connector enables domestic fibre
networks
A new IEEE1394 Small Multimedia Interface plastic optical fibre connector and transceiver system will help connect home and industrial networking applications between various electronic devices.
Molex has a new IEEE1394 Small Multimedia Interface (SMI) plastic optical fibre (POF) connector and transceiver system that will help connect home and industrial networking applications between various electronic devices Molex's new duplex-style SMI POF connector system is the first plastic fibre optic connector system able to operate at S200 (250Mbit/s) speed for up to 50m
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 26 Jan 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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It can 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 good signal integrity and the FOTs are shielded for good electromagnetic (EMI) interference characteristics.
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Molex's SMI POF connector system features a duplex style fibre optics assembly that includes light sources developed by Firecomms.
The Firecomms transceiver is an active component that converts the fibre optic light source into an electrical signal.
Molex's SMI POF connector system is expected to be used initially in stand-alone and wall-plate repeater boxes, networking applications, and will be able to be installed directly into set-top boxes, plasma and LCD flat display screens as well as other consumer electronics devices.
The Molex SMI POF system features a unique push-pull type cable plug that allows to disconnect safely without causing damage to the FOT or cable plug.
In the same family, a plastic coupler is also available to make optical inline connections as needed.
The coupler can also be mounted into a standard wall-plate for pass through applications.
"The release of these new types of SMI components meets perfectly the recent emergence of high bandwidth consumer devices such as high definition TV and home networking", said Declan OMahoney, CEO of Firecomms.
"Molex's small size and user-friendly SMI system delivers the ideal interconnect for POF home networks".
The new SMI connectors are available in a light grey colour with a consumer-friendly latch which provides a tactile "click" to confirm mating.
The latching system allows connection and disconnection only if pulled while holding the connector, in order to prevent accidental disconnection.
This new system is half the size of the previous PN-type plastic fibre connectors.
It can be used with different types of SI (stepped index) POF cable and offers a light, reliable, low-cost connection method for home networking, in a similar size as the RJ45 industry standard.
Molex is committed to developing similar IDB1394 automotive POF products using the same light sources for economy of scale and ease of manufacture.
An announcement on these new automotive POF products is scheduled later this year.
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