New Polish On Undersea Optical Connector Upgrades Performance

Online, May 4, 2012 (Newswire.com) - The APC connector (Angled Polished Convex or Angled Physical Contact) retains all the original features of the HYDRALIGHT range.
This robust wet mateable connector has been employed to connect fiber optic cables undersea for some time now.

The new APC variant adds greater performance to the connectors profile.

The HYDRALIGHT is a field proven, second generation underwater mateable, high integrity, fiber optic connector.

It is an 8 channel device that facilitates underwater connection of optical fibers. The benefits of the HYDRALIGHT being available as an APC connector now means it has a higher return loss resulting in better performance.

APC (Angle Polished Convex) is also taken to mean Angled Physical Contact, but it still refers to the same method. The major physical difference between APC and UPC (Ultra Physical Contact) connectors is the endface geometry.

The APC ferrule endface radius is polished at an 8° angle while UPC connectors are polished at a 0° angle. The significance of this 8° angle becomes apparent when addressing return loss issues.

The more significant performance characteristic between APC and UPC connectors is their return loss. Return loss (RL) is a measurement of the light reflected back to the source at an optical interface. APC connectors are superior to UPC connectors in this performance category because of their angle-polished endface geometry.

When light is reflected at the connector interface of a UPC connector, it is reflected straight back at the source, increasing the return loss value. However, when the same signal passes through the APC connector, the 8° angle causes the reflected light to be absorbed by the cladding material.

2,195 units sold worldwide.

Field proven track record with over 32 million accumulated
operating hours.

Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) of better than 6.9
million hours.

Modular optical contacts up to 8 channels.

Field-proven sealing mechanisms.

Oil-filled and pressure balanced.

Optical coupling within "joined-chamber".
Seawater compatible internals.

ROV operable interface.

Linear latch & de-latch mechanism.

SEA CON® Precision MKII PBOF hose interface.