High Speed & Fiber Optics Connectors, Cables, Contacts, and Termini
Amphenol Military High Speed is your solutions partner for high-speed data transfer and performance in rugged harsh-environment applications throughout the military and aerospace markets. We design and manufacture a broad range of High Speed and Fiber Optic Connectors, Cable Assemblies, and Integrated Solutions utilizing our High-Speed Contacts and Fiber Optic Termini designed to deliver next-generation data and signal capabilities.
Our High Speed and Fiber Optics porfolio includes contacts, fiber optic termini, and connectors to complete high-speed cable assemblies. Our high-speed contacts include Octonet, Quadrax, Split-Pair Quadrax, Differential Twinax, Twinax, Triax, and Coax Contacts. Our fiber optic termini includes MIL-PRF-29504, ARINC 801, JSFC, and MT ferrules. Both the contacts and termini can be housed in a wide variety of custom high-speed connector designs. We can then provide complete high-speed fiber, optic cable assemblies designed and manufactured at our locations.
Featured Products
High Speed and Fiber Optic Connector Solutions
The demand for high-speed interconnect solutions that can enable massive data transmission has never been greater.
The next generation of military and defense platforms are here, and they require substantial amounts of data to enable autonomous systems, advanced data processing, artificial intelligence, and other next-generation mission-critical capabilities. As these new systems are more widely utilized, data transmission speeds must keep pace with rapidly evolving operational requirements. Legacy systems also require the best in high-speed interconnect performance as these systems are retrofitted with modern capabilities.
High Speed and Fiber Optic Interconnect Systems for Any Rugged Application
How To Select the Best High Speed Connector for Your Application?
The first consideration is ensuring the connector supports the required data transmission rate and protocol. High-speed connectors are designed for Gigabit Ethernet, 10G/40G/100G Ethernet, Fibre Channel, PCIe, USB 3.0, and other high-bandwidth protocols. Matching the connector’s electrical performance − such as impedance control and signal integrity − to your system’s requirements is critical for reliable operation and compatibility in your assembly.
You should also consider what data speeds and transmission capabilities you will need so you can choose the right contacts for your application. The operating environment of your connector is also extremely important, as you will need to select an interconnect with the right protection and ruggedization.
Amphenol Military High Speed offers a wide selection of high-speed interconnect solutions, including:
High Speed Connectors
Amphenol’s high-speed connectors support various data transmission needs and accommodate different contact types to provide high speed data transmission, optimized signal integrity, and electromagnetic interference (EMI) protection while meeting standards for insertion and return loss.
The foundation of many of our high-speed interconnects is our high-speed circular connectors that utilize a MIL-DTL-38999 Series III connector with embedded high-speed contacts. Amphenol Military High Speed D38999 High Speed Connectors include Quadrax Connectors, Twinax Connectors, Triax Connectors, and Coaxial Connectors, as well as connectors equipped with our Octonet Contacts and our Oval Contact System (OCS), which provides high speed performance up to 10 Gbps per pair. For greater high bandwidth needs, our Centaur series is a high-density circular connector and cable assembly that supports data rates up to 56 Gbps and comes in multiple configurations, including Printed Circuit Board (PCB) and Solder Tail.
Amphenol Military High Speed Rectangular Connectors come in D-Sub type connector configurations and can also be embedded with quadrax, split pair quadrax, differential twinax, and Octonet contacts.
Our high-speed connector portfolio supports many protocols, including:
- Gigabit Ethernet
- 10/100/1000 Base-T
- USB 2.0 & 3.0
- PCI Express 2.0 & 3.0
- SATA 2.0 & 3.0
- Fibre Channel
- eSATA
- Micro-SATA
- DVI
- HDMI
- Serial RapidIO
- 10G Ethernet
- 25G Ethernet
- 40G Ethernet
- 100G Ethernet
And more.
High Speed Contacts
Amphenol offers a variety of high-speed copper contacts designed to deliver low-loss, high-frequency signal transmission and are the backbone of our high-speed portfolio.
Amphenol Military High Speed produces a variety of high-speed copper contacts including Quadrax, Split-Pair Quadrax, and FiberQuad Ruggedized Quadrax Contacts; Differential Twinax and Concentric Twinax Contacts; Coaxial, Matched Impedance Coaxial, and High Frequency Coaxial Contacts, and Triax Contacts.
We also offer our Octonet series contacts, which are specially designed for use in MIL-DTL-38999 Series III connectors. Our Octonet Contacts with Embedded 1G/10G Base-T Transformers – an expansion of the Octonet line – is designed with embedded IEEE 802.3an/af/at/bt compliant transformers right in the contact.
Amphenol Military High Speed copper contacts are ideal in applications such as avionics, radar and sensor systems, electronic warfare systems, and more.
High Speed Cable Assemblies
Amphenol Military High Speed is vertically integrated to manufacture custom high-speed cable and ruggedized fiber optic cable assemblies that incorporate connectors, contacts, and fiber optic solutions into a single high-performance assembly. Amphenol has the manufacturing capability to support the entire acquisition process from designing your cable to supplying all materials from a simple point-to-point cable to a multi-branch cable system.
Our copper and fiber optic cable assemblies can support a variety of protocols. Fiber Cable Assemblies are available in single-mode or multi-mode fiber, with every completed assembly undergoing complete inspection for insertion loss and visual defects.
Amphenol also offers Ruggedized Active Optical Cables that can adapt to a variety of rugged Amphenol connectors, supporting USB 3.0, HDMI, and Ethernet protocols.
Fiber Optic Connectors
Amphenol offers industry-standard fiber optic connectors, cable assemblies, and termini to enable high-speed, long-distance data transmission. For applications requiring ultra-high-bandwidth speeds over greater distances, we have the means to tailor a complete connector and cable fiber solution that meets the unique needs of high-speed applications.
Like our other high-speed interconnects, our fiber connectors mainly utilize D38999 Series III connectors and are offered in single-mode and multi-mode options. Our fiber connectors are embedded with a variety of Fiber Optic Termini including MIL-PRF-29504, ARINC 801, HD20, JSFC, and MT Ferrules, and these are also available for use in our Rectangular Connectors and several of our fiber connectors such as those with MT Ferrules are available in multi-channel arrangements.
What Is a Military High Speed Connector?
A military high-speed connector is a connector – typically a circular, rectangular, or board-to-board connector – that’s designed to enable high-bandwidth data transmission while maintaining ruggedness, reliability, and signal integrity in harsh environments. Military high-speed connectors are ideal for high-bandwidth applications such as radar, ISR, avionics, and real-time communications throughout the military and aerospace markets.
These connectors support data rates from 1 Gbps to 100 Gbps or more across a variety of protocols including Ethernet, PCIe, Fibre Channel, SOSA-aligned and VPX systems. Because they’re designed to support harsh-environment applications, they’re able to deliver mission-critical signal and data while withstanding extreme shock, vibration, humidity, and temperature conditions while ensuring low insertion loss and minimal signal degradation.
Advanced EMI/RFI shielding enables these connectors to maintain signal integrity in electronic warfare and high-noise environments. There are a variety of high-speed contact and termination systems available for these connectors − including high-performance copper and fiber optic termini – that minimize signal loss and support differential pair architectures.
How Reliable are High Speed Connectors in Harsh Environments?
Amphenol High-speed connectors are designed for harsh environments and must endure harsh environmental conditions including shock, vibration, temperature fluctuations, and more. Our connectors meet standards such as MIL-DTL-38999 for circular connectors, ARINC 801 for fiber termini, or those aligned with The Open Group Sensor Open Systems Architecture (SOSA™) and OpenVPX for high-speed embedded computing and sensor systems.
Fiber Optic vs. Copper for Military Applications
The choice between copper and fiber optic contacts depends on distance, bandwidth, and environmental factors surrounding your application. Copper-based contacts, such as Quadrax, Twinax, and Triax, provide high-speed performance for shorter distances such as within aircraft and vehicle data networks. Fiber optic connectors, such as ARINC 801 and MIL-PRF-29504 termini, offer expanded EMI immunity and higher bandwidth over longer distances.
While fiber optics offer superior bandwidth and lower signal loss over long distances, copper remains a practical choice for high-speed, short distance applications that prioritize mechanical durability and ease of termination. The best solution depends on the specific performance and environmental demands of your system.
Applications
- Avionics Systems
- Embedded Systems
- Radar and Sensor Systems
- Electronic Warfare Systems
- UAVs and Drones
- C6ISR Systems
- Military Data Processing
- Smart Munitions and Precision Guided Weapons
- High Speed Communications
- Naval and Shipboard Communications
- Hypersonic Missiles
- Missile Defense Systems
- Fire Control Systems
- Space-based Communications/Satellite Communications (SATCOM)