New Electro-Optic Sensor For Avionics Eliminates Collimating Lens Assembly

By Ron Grunsby, Editor

CMC Electronics will introduce its new hermetic feedthrough fiber-pigtailed circular TO-can electro-optic sensor at SPIE Photonics West 2012. The device is intended for avionics applications such as LIDAR and laser range finding, and first production units are anticipated to be completed late in the first quarter of this year.

Electro-optic sensors are typically associated with a window interface in these applications. However, this interface must be placed on the aircraft’s periphery, which creates constraints on the position/access of the associated electronics circuit card and the aircraft fuselage. Using an optical fiber to guide the light signal to a sensor inside the aircraft where the electronics circuit cards are located can help, and fiber collimators that adapt to circular TO-can-type window sensors exist. However, they are bulky and the optical interface needs regular cleaning because the sensor window and collimator end face are exposed to contamination.

CMC Electronics’ new hermetic feedthrough fiber-pigtailed circular TO-can package allows light to be brought to (or in the case of an emitter, away from) the photonic device while eliminating the expensive collimating lens assembly. The device also improves reliability of the optical component due to the optical element to optical fiber interface being hermetically sealed. It is lightweight and compact, resists vibration and shocks, and does not require any maintenance over an estimated 20-year life span.

The company will present a paper on this new solution at SPIE Defense, Security, and Sensing in April.

Also at Photonics West, CMC Electronics will display its 276-339766 Series four-channel hermetically sealed fiber optic transceiver - designed to meet extreme environmental demands - along with its line of InGaAs APD receiver modules. You can visit them at Booth #5605.

Fiber Pigtail