Fiber-Optic Networks

Harris is a long-time supplier of fiber-optics for military and government applications, exploiting the best in aerospace and defense optics to provide cutting edge solutions. Harris-developed fiber-optics are helping to make the U.S. Military's newest aircraft lighter, smarter, and more lethal. Harris fiber-optics solutions are either on the drawing board or flying in the most advanced aircraft including the F/A-18E/F, F-22 Raptor, and F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

Harris space-qualified, radiation-hardened fiber-optic-based Local Area Networks are currently operating in production satellite operations. The Mission Data Networks (MDNs) provide high- bandwidth communications for up to 64 payload elements. The MDN elements are available in either stand-alone configurations, or integrated into the spacecraft computer architecture.

Fibre Channel Fabric Switches

Harris Fibre Channel switches create the core networking infrastructure for the next-generation Fibre-Channel Avionics networks currently in production. The Harris switches provide full fabric support, true line-speed synchronous switching, and a scalable architecture for the current as well as future mission critical flight environments.

The Harris Fibre Channel switch products have been developed utilizing High Order Language Source Code such as VHDL and C++ offering portability to new, high density logic products and quick turnaround of semi-custom solutions.

The Harris REFLEX 8 port switch provides both electrical and optical I/O with proven 1 Gbaud performance offering throughputs in excess of 90 Megabits per second. An embedded PowerPC™ combined with an FPGA-based design accommodate easy reprogramming to support lab integration and testing. The REFLEX switch offers Fibre Channel Class 2 and Class 3 service.

The Harris Fibre Channel Network Switch (FCNS) offers 16 ports in a Weapons Replaceable Assembly (WRA) package for integration into the F/A-18 E/F aircraft, containing Harris-patented packaging techniques to guarantee compliance with the rugged military environment. The FCNS offers an optical interface with full-duplex operation measured to near theoretical throughput. The non-blocking FCNS architecture provides switch latencies of less than 2 microseconds.

Harris Fibre Channel Network Interface Controller (NIC) products are powerful solutions designed with features critical to aerospace applications. Harris has developed a family of NIC products offering a wide variety of services and Protocol support.

The Harris Fibre Channel NIC products have been developed utilizing High Order Language Source Code such as VHDL and C++ offering portability to new, high-density logic products and quick turnaround of semi-custom solutions.

The installed base for Harris NIC products includes Apache helicopters and the F/A-18 E/F aircraft. NIC solutions can be delivered in accordance with existing form factor standards including 32 bit/33 MHz and 64 bit/66 MHZ PCI interface PMC cards as well as custom Circuit Card Assemblies, embedded IP solutions and custom host electrical interfaces.

For more information, please contact a HarrisSenior Executive Account Manager.