Integrating polymer optical fibers in civil aircraft: Enviromental requirements and challenges

摘要

The potential of polymer optical fiber (POF) and its link components in short distance data communication has been well established by the automotive (e.g. media oriented system transport bus) and telecommunication industries. Avionics networks can also be considered as short distance data communication as they have a limited size with a maximum length of 100 m between the nodes. This paper discusses the challenges and options in integrating commercial POF link and its passive/active components to the critical as well as non critical data communication in commercial aircraft. The paper will focus particularly on the relevant firm environmental requirements that have to be fulfilled to assure the reliability and safety of the commercial aircraft data communication network. Further, characterisation of POF will be analyzed in detail based on MIL STD 1678/TIA 455 series and compliance with RTCA/DO 160E will also be evaluated in detail.