FOCAS–A NEW LOOK IN COMBAT SYSTEM SIGNAL TRANSMISSION

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis article introduces the concept of a truly Universal Signal Distribution Network. The emergence of fiberoptic technology as a viable signal transmission medium now gives the Navy the opportunity to use Fiber Optic Cabling and Switching (FOCAS) to implement a universal network. A FOCAS Network can handle all present or future shipboard signal distribution architectures such as point‐to‐point or data bus. Furthermore, compared to existing cable installations, this network offers lower cost through reduction of the number of cables, weight, and volume, freedom from interference and EMP effects, increased redundancy, and higher operational flexibility. In addition, it will easily satisfy all future expansion or changes in signal distribution by providing at least a ten fold increase in data rate capacity over existing electrical cabling. This last feature alone holds the potential for allowing upgrading and conversion of modern combat systems without need for adding new cabling in the ship.Along with the introduction of the concept of a Universal FOCAS network and its practical benefits and capabilities, this article presents a trade‐off between the Radar Data Distribution Network on the FFG and an analogous FOCAS network. Though far from optimized, the resultant FOCAS network shows that the conversion of existing shipboard networks to FOCAS is straightforward and provides a reduction of at least 90% in cable volume and weight and lower cost in cable purchase and installation.