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Active Optical Connector, the BF4MC Series, Solves the Problems of Electrical Connection. High speed signal transmissions with no EMI noise. Optical transmissions achieved by simplified electrical connections

Do you feel the limitations of electrical connection?

Electrical connection is too hard...Thick Cable. Fixing Component Position. Faster Transmission. Noise Resistance. Board Space. Distance. Hard Cable. Circuit Space Expansion. Multiple Cables. Signal Attenuation. Non-bending Cable. Isolated Treatment. Complicated Circuit. Shielded Design. Maintenance Efficiency. More Components Required
Solve with the active optical connector, the BF4MC Series ! High Speed Isolated Transmission/ Space-saving. Noise Resistance/ Small Diameter/ Bending Durability
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Design Note
Product Composition
Recommended Applications

1. High Speed Isolation Transmission and Space-saving

Reduce the Number of Isolation Components and Circuit Size

Electrical Connection Challenges: - Securing Component Position - Number of Isolated Components Solve with BF4MC (Active Optical Connector): - Flexible Layout - Gbit Transmission with One Connector

High Speed Isolated Transmission

Photocouplers, isolators and pulse transformers are well known as electrical isolation components. However, one isolation component can only isolate a signal to a transmission speed of several hundred Mbps. On the other hand, the semi-conductor mounted in the BM4MC Series plug enables isolation with photoelectric conversion and high speed isolated transmission from 50Mbps to 6.25Gbps.

Circuit Size Reduction

A single BF4MC Series connector enables high speed isolated transmission at 6.25Gbps, reducing the number of isolation components and allowing for flexible board layout through use of a cable assembly rather than a electrical isolation component, which requires securing of the components across the isolation width.

2. Noise Resistance/ Small Diameter/Bending Resistance

No more shielded cables that are hard, wide, or difficult to bend.

Electrical Connection Challenges: - Bulky, Heavy, Difficult to Bend Cables - The Difficulty of Shield Treatment Solve with BF4MC (Active Optical Connector): - Optical Fiber for Noise Resistance - Bending Durable Fibers with Small Diameter

Noise Resistance

Shielding treatment is common for noise resistance however it takes a lot of effort to identify noise sources, frequency, etc. before shield treatment. Since the BF4MC Series uses optical transmission, it is not affected by noise, making EMI prevention easy.

Small Diameter/ Bending Resistance

Cables used in electrical wiring will have a greater diameter and require more shielding in accordance with the transmission conditions (speed, distance, loss, noise). This results in heavier, bulkier cables that are difficult to bend. In contrast, the optical fiber used in the BF4MC Series has much more efficient bending resistance than ordinary fibers. The BF4MC Series maintains a bending radius of R=2.0mm, and a loss of less than 1dB.
Additionally, the BF4MC Series fiber diameter is ø0.5mm regardless of the transmission conditions.

3. Long Distance and Low Attenuation

Low attenuation and accurate long distance
are the biggest advantages of optic communication.

Electrical Connection Challenges: - Electrical cables have more attenuation. - Long distances require in-line devices. Solve with BF4MC (Active Optical Connector): - Optical fiber has low attenuation. - Relay with an Optic Connector Cable

Long Distance and Low Attenuation

Electrical cable attenuation must be considered for long distance electrical transmission. Attenuation varies based on material, cable diameter, etc. When extending a long distance with electricity, a driver or equalize must be inserted in the input/output of in-line device or board’s cable in consideration of signal attenuation. In contrast, attenuation (propagation loss) of the optical fiber used in the BF4MC Series is 5.0dB/km Max. (Wavelength: 850nm)* The BF4MC Series has lower attenuation than electrical cables, enabling long distance transmission without in-line devices or drivers/equalizers.
However, since the optical fiber diameter of ø0.5mm used in BF4MC cannot realistically be routed to outside of devices, a BF4MC cable assembly with LC/SC on one end is available to relay optic fiber cables to the device interface. Please contact Hirose Electric for details on interface connections.
*When fiber length is 1km or longer

4. Low Power Consumption and Simplified Circuit

Low Power Consumption and Simplifed Design
by Reducing the Number of Electrical Components

Electrical Connection Challenges: - Increase in IC Components based on Transmission Conditions - Increasing IC Components Complicates the Circuit Solve with BF4MC (Active Optical Connector): - Transmission with a Single Connector - Simplification via Recommended Circuit

Low Power Consumption

If there are many transmission conditions, then IC components will need to be added to the electrical wiring depending on the application. The more transmission conditions there are, the number of IC components increases, leading to increased power consumption. The BF4MC Series does not require additional IC components as long as the transmission conditions match the BF4MC specifications, enabling low power consumption.
＜BF4MC Power Consumption＞
Single power source: 120 mW (Max.)
2 source power: 80 mW (Max.)

Circuit Simplification

A greater number of transmission conditions leads to the electrical wiring requiring additional IC components in accordance with the application. As the number of IC components increases, the circuit becomes more complicated.
If the transmission specifications of the BF4MC Series are met, no additional IC components are required. It works just by usage of the BF4MC recommended circuit and provides circuit simplification. Please refer to the design notes and evaluation boards provides as reference for the recommended circuit. Please contact Hirose Electric for details.

5. Design Support and Product Proposals

Hirose provides support and product proposals
from the early stage of product design.

If you contact us in the early stages of product design,
we will provide you with the most ideal product for the project and support.
Additionally, if you want to switch from an electrical connection to
an optical connection during the design process, please feel free to ask us.

Product Composition, Harness Options

You can choose optical connectors and fiber optic cables according to your application. Please contact us about the application you are considering using optical connectors in and we will be happy to recommend the most suitable combination.

Unidirectional Optical Transmission

BF4MC Harness Options are Ideal for a Variety of Use

When Unidirectional Optical Transmission is Better

Unidirectional Optical Transmission is recommended when either upstream or downstream transmission is high speed and the transmission speed of the other side is slow, as bidirectional optical transmission is not needed. Use of a single-ended optical connector also enables cable routing to the outside of the equipment.

How to Choose an Optical Fiber

Since the BF4MC Series uses a special fiber, the supported cable choices are limited. We recommend single core fiber for intra-board connection and double core cable with a large cable jacket for inter-board/inter-panel connection. (The jacket of single core fiber is 0.5mm in diameter, which is too thin for some applications.)

How to Choose an Optical Connector for Single Side of Harness

Many customers choose LC and SC as general optical connectors. The difference between the two types of optical connector depends on the application, so please contact us and we will do our best to provide the type of optical connector you want to use.

Optical Connector on One Side. Route to the device interface with an optical connector on one side.

*Change from a fiber diameter of ø0.5mm to a cable diameter that can be routed outside the device with an optical adapter.

BF4MC Series

Bidirectional Optical Transmission

When Bidirectional Optical Transmission is Better

Choose bidirectional optical transmission when high speed transmission is required for both upstream and downstream, when you want to isolate the signal, or for noise resistance.

How to Choose a Bidirectional Optical Connector

Use the BF4MC Series with two systems and two fibers, or use a single connector with the BF4-IR2 Series.

Optical Connector on One Side. Route to the device interface with an optical connector on one side.
BF4-IR2 Series

Optical Transmission Connection Adoption Example and Recommended Applications

[Product Adoption Example]
BF4MC Series in the Power Analyzer (Measuring Instrument)

Company name: HIOKI E.E. CORPORATION Model name: Power Analyzer (PW6001)

Company name: HIOKI E.E. CORPORATION
Model name: Power Analyzer (PW6001)
Product Website

In order to send accurate data without destroying the internal computing components (FPGA, CPU and other electronic components), an isolation area must be secured in the measuring device (power analyzer) that measures high power. In normal isolation devices, the voltage that can be isolated is determined by the width of the IC package, but the BF4M Series has been adopted to ensure sufficient isolation voltage (isolation width).

Image

BF4MC is referred to as an optical isolation device in the POWER ANALYZER product catalog.

[Recommended Applications]
Medical Equipment, Endoscope Video Processors, Endoscopes

Electronic medical equipment used in the operating room must be electrically isolated so as not to affect the human body, are noise resistant so as not to disturb the image due to noise interference from electric scalpels, and support high speed transmission of real-time high-definition video data without delay. We recommend optical connectors to ensure safety.

Endoscopy Video Processor, Endoscope

[Recommended Applications] Industrial Equipment and Industrial Robotics (6-axis Robots, Robot Arms)

The internal connection of industrial robotics needs to be designed with noise prevention, bending resistance and high speed transmission in mind.
 

Noise Prevention Noise from the motors used in each axis can cause disturbances in video and communication, however optical transmission is unaffected by noise.
Flexibility The optical fiber used in the BF4MC Series highly resists bending, and thus supports the flexible movements of industrial robots.
High Speed Transmission Since video signals from the camera mounted on the end of the arm are transmitted to the controller, the cables are mounted near each motor and are easily exposed to noise. Optical connection supports high speed transmission and is an effective method for robot arm connection.
Camera Output (Video Transmission) 【Downstream】
Individual Axis Control (Controlled Transmission) 【Upstream】

Due to its Advantages, Usage of BF4MC is Expanding to a Wide Array of Applications

High Speed, EMC Protection, Isolation, Bending Durability
Inquiry
Series Page
Design Note
Product Composition
Recommended Applications