The Evolution of Fiber Optic Serial Interfaces in Naval Tactical Data Systems

Implementation of new interfaces in Naval Combat Systems is an evolutionary process. It is essential to provide a means of transition from the "old" to the "new" so as to retain interoperability between all elements of the system during their life cycle. This paper describes the evolution of fiber optic serial interfaces in U.S. Naval Tactical Data Systems. Planned implementation of fiber optic interfaces in the new U.S. Navy Standard Shipboard Computers, AN/UYK-43 & 44, are discussed, as well as future requirements for higher speed bus oriented interfaces which more fully utilize the wide bandwidth of fiber optic media and support the distributed system architecture of the future.