Lockheed Martin Corporation

Ryan L Nelson

Rick C Stevens

Brian L Uhlhorn

Kevin J Thorson

Gregory M Drexler

Gregory J Whaley

Wade W Brown

Aaron M Cordes

Todd M Colten

An I/O connector that includes an optical communication component, for example an optical transceiver, mounted to a ferrule body of the I/O connector. The connector can be installed on a circuit card assembly and is configured to allow blind-mate connectivity. Mounting the optical communication component to the ferrule body of the connector frees up the surface of the circuit card that could be eliminated or used for mounting other components, facilitates installation of and access to the optical communication component for repair and maintenance thereof, and eliminates the need for a fiber optic pigtail extending from the connector to the circuit card.

Input/output connector having an active electrical/optical communication component

Free space optical communication systems, methods, and apparatuses are provided. A free space optical communication system embodiment includes a light source for emitting a light beam toward a receiver, where the light beam includes a signal to be transmitted, an output lens through which the light beam is directed toward the receiver, and an actuator coupled to the light source for moving the light source to adjust the diameter of the light beam.

Free space optical communication

Pitot probes are described that are designed to prevent water blockage of the probe's air pressure orifice. The pitot probes are small, inexpensive, light weight and do not require power for heat generation. This makes the pitot probes particularly useful for use on UAV's and other small aircraft where size, cost, weight and power constraints are a major concern. The pitot probes utilize passive methods in the form of geometrical and material configurations to prevent blockage of the pitot probes by water droplets. The probes can also include water reservoirs that store collected water.

Pitot probe with water blockage prevention

A functional optical device for use in an optical backplane system is provided that includes one or more input fibers, one or more output fibers, and a functional portion configured to operate on an optical input received via the one or more input fibers to provide an optical output via the one or more output fibers. The one or more input fibers and the one or more output fibers of the functional optical device are terminated in a fixed configuration based on a fixed termination layout of at least one group of multiple fibers of an optical backplane interconnect.

Integrated functionality in optical backplane

In one example embodiment, an optical connector arrangement includes a coupler with a first part and a second part each having a first end to receive an optical fiber core and a second end that releasably couples the first part and the second part. An insert block having a connector face and an assembly face is included in each of the first part and the second part. The connector face has a lens assembly to optically couple the optical fiber core of the first part and the second part, and the assembly face has an axial passageway that terminates in the assembly face and aligns with the first end to receive an end portion of the optical fiber core.

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Farmington, MN, United States of America

Ryan L Nelson