A high-speed surface-mount optical data link for military applications

The design and performance of the AT&T ODL (optical data link) 250H, a low-profile surface-mount optical data link suitable for use in hash military environments at data rates up to 250 Mb/s, is described. This optical data link consists of a transmitter and a receiver, each self-contained in a compact package which may be used on both sides of standard electronic module circuit boards. Packages are hermetically enclosed and contain no organic materials. The transmitter and receiver operate at an optical wavelength of 1.3 μm. Each uses a pigtail which may be selected to interface with either 62.5/125 or 100/140-μm multimode optical fiber. The electrical input and output signals are 100K ECL (emitter coupled logic) compatible. From -55°C to +125°C this link typically allows for approximately 20 dB of optical loss in a system