Fibre optic rotary joints
Fiber Optic Integrated Electrical Slip Ring fibre optic rotary joint
Hybrid units combining fibre optic channels with power and signal circuits, used on electro-optical pod systems.
Key specifications
| Circuits (max) | 70 |
|---|---|
| Current per circuit (max) | 30 A |
| Speed (max) | 500 rpm |
| Outer diameter (max) | 600 mm |
| Ingress protection | IP51-IP66 |
Series ranges as published; individual models vary. The full datasheet, drawings and CAD models are available on request.
Options
- single-mode or multi-mode fibre
- one or more fibre channels
Typical applications
What a fibre optic rotary joint is
A fibre optic rotary joint, or FORJ, is the optical equivalent of a slip ring: it passes light signals between a fixed and a rotating fibre without a physical join. In a single-channel unit the two fibre ends sit on the rotation axis with collimating lenses so the beam crosses a small gap. Multi-channel units use a derotating optical element, such as a Dove prism, so several fibres can share the axis. Joints are built for single-mode or multimode fibre and can be combined with electrical slip rings.
When engineers choose a fibre optic rotary joint
Choose a FORJ when the rotating part needs very high bandwidth, immunity to electromagnetic interference or long transmission distances, as in subsea vehicles, cable reels, radar and video systems. It is passive and wear is very low because nothing touches. The trade-offs are insertion loss, which must fit the optical budget, sensitivity to contamination and a higher cost for multi-channel units. If data rates are modest and EMC is manageable, an electrical Ethernet slip ring may be simpler.
How to specify the Fiber Optic Integrated Electrical Slip Ring
Send these with your enquiry and an engineer can confirm the right Fiber Optic Integrated Electrical Slip Ring variant:
- Number of optical channels
- Fibre type: single-mode or multimode, core size (µm)
- Operating wavelengths (nm)
- Maximum insertion loss and loss variation during rotation (dB)
- Return loss requirement (dB)
- Connector type, such as FC, ST, LC or SC
- Speed (rpm), environment and any electrical circuits to combine
Common mistakes to avoid
- Not including the FORJ insertion loss in the full link optical budget
- Mixing single-mode and multimode fibres between the joint and the transceivers
- Leaving connectors uncapped during assembly, which contaminates the optical faces
- Specifying many channels when wavelength multiplexing would cut cost and size
Fiber Optic Integrated Electrical Slip Ring: frequently asked questions
What is the Fiber Optic Integrated Electrical Slip Ring?
Hybrid units combining fibre optic channels with power and signal circuits, used on electro-optical pod systems. Published series figures include circuits 70, current per circuit 30 A, speed 500 rpm, outer diameter 600 mm. It is available through our supply network, and our engineers can confirm the right variant for your application.
Who makes the Fiber Optic Integrated Electrical Slip Ring?
The Fiber Optic Integrated Electrical Slip Ring is part of a range available through our supply network. Send us your requirement for pricing, lead time, datasheets and CAD.
What is the circuits of the Fiber Optic Integrated Electrical Slip Ring?
The published series maximum circuits is 70. Individual models and sizes in the Fiber Optic Integrated Electrical Slip Ring range vary, so check the exact variant against your duty cycle, mounting and environment, or ask our engineers to confirm the right size for you.
What is the difference between single-mode and multimode fibre optic rotary joints?
Single-mode joints carry light in one guided mode through a very small core, which suits long distances and high data rates but needs precise alignment. Multimode joints use a larger core, which is more tolerant of alignment and suits shorter links. The joint must match the fibre and transceivers already used in the system, so state the fibre type and wavelength.
Can a fibre optic rotary joint be combined with an electrical slip ring?
Yes. A common arrangement places the FORJ on the axis, with the electrical slip ring built around it in a through-bore format, so power and optical data pass through one assembly. This is widely used on cable reels, ROVs and radar. Specify the electrical circuits and optical channels together so the supplier can design one housing and sealing system.
Further reading: How to select a fibre optic rotary joint · How to select a slip ring · Slip rings
Often compared with
Engineers specifying this series often compare it with:
Other fibre optic rotary joints series
Spec builder
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