Unusual Applications: Real-World Fiber Optic Communications

VERSITRON Equipment in Interesting and Demanding Applications

Fiber optic technology is used in far more places than traditional data centers and enterprise networks. Over the years, VERSITRON equipment has been deployed in a wide range of specialized environments where long-distance communication, electrical isolation, EMI/RFI immunity, and reliable data transmission are essential.

From offshore drilling and underwater research to military aircraft testing, transportation systems, manufacturing facilities, submarines, and municipal infrastructure, these applications demonstrate the versatility of fiber optic communications.

Here are some examples of unusual and demanding applications where VERSITRON equipment has been used.

Fiber Optic Video Distribution on Drill Ships

VERSITRON Video Distribution VDA1632 products are used on drill ships supporting offshore oil and gas exploration.

Drill ships are specialized vessels used for exploratory drilling in deepwater and ultra-deepwater environments. These vessels rely on sophisticated equipment and dynamic positioning systems while operating in challenging offshore conditions.

Fiber optic video distribution equipment provides a reliable way to distribute critical video signals throughout these demanding environments.

Traffic Monitoring and Intelligent Transportation

VersiVision FDVT/FDVR1AAxA-AE fiber optic video converters are used in traffic monitoring applications.

Fiber optics provides several advantages for remote traffic surveillance, including:

• Protection from lightning-related electrical disturbances
• Immunity to EMI and RFI
• Extended transmission distances
• Increased bandwidth
• Reliable transmission of data, voice, and video

These characteristics make fiber optic communications well suited to transportation and other outdoor monitoring applications.

Monitoring Furnaces in Automotive Manufacturing

VersiVision FDVT/FDVR1005A fiber optic video converters are used to monitor furnaces in automobile manufacturing applications.

Manufacturing environments can present significant challenges for conventional copper communications because of electrical noise, industrial equipment, and demanding operating conditions. Fiber optic video transmission provides a reliable method for monitoring equipment from a safe and remote location.

Fiber Optic Communications for Gated Communities

VERSITRON 2-wire fiber optic phone modems are used in residential gated-community applications.

These systems can provide communications between a gate and a monitoring station when significant distances separate the two locations. Fiber optic connectivity allows the communication system to operate over longer distances while providing electrical isolation between connected equipment.

Underwater Data Communications for Research

VERSITRON RS-232 M82xxD Series singlemode MicroModems have been used in a university research project involving underwater data communications between submerged equipment.

The application involved counting sea plankton, with additional equipment used at the surface to monitor the count.

This application demonstrates how fiber optic serial communications can be used to connect equipment in specialized underwater research environments.

Robotic Monitoring of Sewers and Pipelines

VersiVision FDVT1A0xA and FDVR1A0xA one-channel digital video converters with bi-directional data are employed in robotic monitoring applications.

In this application, video converters are attached to a robot that is tethered via fiber optic cable to a monitoring truck. The system allows operators to inspect sewers and sewer pipelines without requiring human personnel to enter potentially hazardous environments.

Fiber Optic Communications in the Arctic Circle

VERSITRON RS-530 F2245A FOM II Series singlemode fiber optic modems are used in the Arctic Circle.

Extreme environments can place significant demands on communications equipment. Fiber optic systems can provide the long-distance connectivity and electrical isolation required for specialized communications applications.

Fiber Optics for Military Aircraft Testing

VERSITRON technology has also been used in military aircraft development in the United Kingdom.

Fighter aircraft must operate in demanding environments, including situations involving close proximity to high-power radar and other transmitters. During aircraft testing, sophisticated onboard electronics must continue to communicate properly even while the aircraft is subjected to intense electromagnetic fields.

Under these conditions, copper conductors can introduce unwanted interference into critical communications systems.

Fiber optic cable provides an electrically isolated communications path that is immune to electromagnetic interference. In this application, the distance and interference challenges have been addressed using a system incorporating two F272xB VERSITRON fiber optic modems.

Each fully screened unit supports up to four standard aircraft headsets, providing clear communications during testing.

Monitoring Energy Usage in Manufacturing

Multimode analog F27xxA FOM II Series fiber optic modems are used to help monitor power consumption in a manufacturing facility on the East Coast.

Industrial manufacturing environments can contain significant levels of electromagnetic interference. Fiber optic communications provide a reliable data link in environments where conventional copper communications may be difficult to implement.

Fiber Optic Switches Aboard Naval Submarines

VERSITRON fiber optic switches have been deployed aboard naval submarines to provide electrical isolation for data communications.

Submarine environments place particularly demanding requirements on communications systems. Fiber optic technology provides the isolation and immunity to EMI/RFI that can be important when reliable communications are required in confined and electrically complex environments.

Municipal Water Flow Monitoring

Serial data FOM II Series Modems are used to transmit data for municipal water flow monitoring equipment.

The system monitors water flow and determines the operation of water pump controls to help maintain a constant flow from the water source to the treatment plant.

This type of remote monitoring demonstrates how fiber optic serial communications can connect control equipment across geographically separated locations.

Fiber Optic Communications for Airport Operations

VERSITRON equipment is also used to support safe operations at airports.

Pilots and air traffic controllers depend on numerous systems, including lights, markings, and signs. VERSITRON MicroModem Model M82xxD products are used to transmit RS-232 switch control signals over fiber optic cable.

Fiber optic transmission provides a reliable communications path for these critical control signals while providing additional isolation from lightning strikes and EMI/RFI disturbances.

Fiber Optic Communications for Tunneling Equipment

F27xxAD and F27xxA telephone modems are used as communications devices to control a boring machine used to tunnel through a mountain.

Tunneling equipment can operate far from its control location, making reliable long-distance communications essential. Fiber optic connectivity provides a practical way to establish communications between remote equipment and the control system.

Protecting ATM Communications at Gas Stations and Convenience Stores

VERSITRON F27xxAD and F27xxA telephone modems are used in ATM applications at gas stations and convenience stores.

These systems transmit data over telephone lines using fiber optic connectivity, providing electrical isolation and helping protect communications equipment from lightning-related damage.

One Technology. Many Applications.

The applications above demonstrate the flexibility of fiber optic communications across a remarkably diverse range of environments.

VERSITRON fiber optic products have been used for:

• Offshore oil and gas exploration
• Traffic monitoring
• Automotive manufacturing
• Gated-community communications
• Underwater research
• Robotic inspection
• Arctic applications
• Military aircraft testing
• Manufacturing energy monitoring
• Naval submarine communications
• Municipal water systems
• Airport operations
• Tunneling equipment
• ATM communications

The common thread across these applications is the need for reliable communications in environments where distance, electrical interference, environmental conditions, or safety requirements make conventional copper connectivity difficult.

Fiber optics provides the combination of long transmission distances, electrical isolation, high bandwidth, and immunity to EMI/RFI that makes it an effective solution for these specialized applications.

Need a Fiber Optic Solution for a Unique Application?

Your application may be unusual, but that doesn't mean a communications solution can't be developed for it.

VERSITRON offers fiber optic products for data, voice, video, Ethernet, serial communications, and other specialized applications. Standard products are available in a variety of configurations, and our team can help determine an appropriate solution based on your interface, distance, fiber type, and operating environment.

Explore our complete product selection, or contact VERSITRON to discuss your specific communications requirements.