Development of an optical fiber cable plant for sixth generation avionics networks

Avionics networks have slowly evolved from simple radios and electromechanical control servos to sophisticated inter-networked suites of systems which provide integrated interfaces to platform aircrew and subsystems as well as connections to the global information grid for network centric warfare. This paper describes the development and current standardization of an optically transparent, future-proofed cable plant that can support the aerospace industrypsilas transition to high speed, high connectivity optical networking that can survive the 25-100 year life of the airframe.