TE Connectivity’s New PRO BEAM EB16 Selected as Design of Choice for ARINC’s Expanded Beam Standard

HARRISBURG, Paris  April 16, 2015 – TE Connectivity recently  announced its new PRO BEAM EB16 optical termini has been selected as the design of choice for the new ARINC Project Paper 845 Expanded Beam Standard for Air Transport Aircraft. This decision was made by ARINC’s Fiber Optic Subcommittee and Cabin Systems Subcommittee.

“With this new global commercial aviation industry standard, we are honored that our termini design has been chosen by ARINC as the design of record,” said Rodney Smith, Product Manager, Global Aerospace, Defense & Marine, TE. “Our engineers are committed to innovation and excellence, and are always looking for ways to advance today’s technology and performance.”

Designed to fit MIL-DTL-38999 Series III size 16 cavities, the PRO BEAM EB16 optical termini are a drop-in replacement for physical contact termini. The termini’s ball lens physically expands and collimates the optical beam area 30 times of its original size to provide easier optical alignment, low sensitivity to contamination, and consistent performance over thermal changes. The beam is then refocused back down onto the core of the receiving fiber.

 “The non-contacting interface of optical connections is designed for no wear, which is especially important in high-mating cycle and high-vibration applications,” said Smith. “The use of expanded beam optical technology also offers low sensitivity to thermal fluctuations and stable performance over the life of the system.”

Because the beam size is substantially expanded when traversing the mechanical interface, the signal will not deteriorate due to airborne contamination particles of the same size that would otherwise seriously affect the performance of the PC connection.

The PRO BEAM EB16 termini is field terminable and fits a standard size 16 cavity. It is intended for a variety of commercial and military aerospace applications including fixed wing and rotary aircraft, unmanned aerials systems, and radar and sensor systems.

pid and evolving electronics/entertainment industry that will exceed passenger expectations.The goal of ARINC’s Fiber Optics Subcommittee is to update physical standards, design guidelines, component criteria, and testing and maintenance procedures for fiber optic components and systems for use on air transport airplanes. ARINC’s Cabin Systems Subcommittee was established to develop cost effective and valuable network infrastructure for the airlines to cope with the ra