Gigabit Fiber to Ethernet Converter (ROV/AUV)#

Fiber Board

Introduction#

This bare PCB converts CAT 5 Ethernet signals from the RJ-45 port to signals compatible with single mode SFP transceivers and vice versa. By using this media converter, copper Ethernet signals can be extended up to 20km depending on the SFP transceiver used (a much longer distance than the 100 meters limit for copper Ethernet signals).

Unlike many other fiber converters, this is designed to be as space efficient as possible specifically for ROV use cases. Additionally, many considerations were in place to design this board as power efficient as possible, reducing generated heat and maximizing the flight time on your ROV!

Fits in 3” acrylic ROV electronic enclosure!

Advantages of Fiber over Traditional Copper for ROV Use#

  • Gigabit data transfer with kilometers of tether length (Copper: 100 meters max for Gigabit, 300 meters max for 100Mb/s)

  • Lower Latency (Light transfers much faster)

  • Virtually no risk of interference compared to copper

Technical Specifications#

Input Voltage: 5V DC

Input Connector: JST PH 2.54 or 2.54mm Pitch Jumper wires

Wattage: Less than 1 watt

Footprint: 3 x 2 inches

Bandwidth: 1.25G

Complies with IEEE 802.3/802.3u/802.3z/802.3ab

Complies with 10/100/1000Base-TX/FX

Supports Full/Half Duplex auto-negotiation and MDI/MDIX auto-crossover

Testing#

Speed Testing
Speed Test
Current Testing
Current Test

LED Indicators#

LED Indicators

Blue

  • LED4: Power LED, Lights up when +5V is applied

Red

  • FDX LED: Lights up when Full Duplex is used

  • FBR LEF: Lights up when Fiber Port is working (Fiber and Transceiver must be plugged in as a pair)

Yellow

  • TP: Network is connected via Ethernet

  • 100M: 100Mbps Speed is Used

  • 1000M: Gigabit Speed is Used

Powering#

Warning

Make sure to use a 5V supply to power the boards and the polairty of the JST connectors are correct.

Supported SFP Transceivers#

Important

All SFP optical transceiver used on the board must be 1.25Gb/s data rate and designed for 10/100/1000Base-TX/FX

Warning

SFP transceivers use CLASS 1 laser. Do not look directly at the light emitting device.

BiDi (Bidirectional) SFP Optical Transceiver

BiDi is recommended over common SFP due to its ability to transmit full-duplex on one strand of fiber by using different wavelengths of light.

Learn More

Common SFP Optical Transceiver

Common SFP Transceivers are also compatible with our board. They will require 2 strands of fiber for full-duplex communication.

Fiber Optic Tethers#

Technical Drawing#