How Expanded Beam Technology Works

Unlike traditional connectors where fiber end-faces physically touch, HXB connectors use a lens to expand and collimate the light beam before it crosses the connection gap. This design means the light signal does not rely on direct physical contact between delicate fiber cores. The key benefit is that the connection is highly tolerant to dust, dirt, moisture, and vibration, as the expanded beam is much larger than the fiber core itself, making it difficult for small contaminants to block the signal. It also eliminates wear on the fiber end-faces, as the lenses never touch.

Key Features for Tactical Applications

✅ The design of the HXB series is optimized for field use, where speed and reliability are critical.
✅ Hermaphroditic Design: Each connector is neither strictly male nor female. This allows any two HXB cable segments to be daisy-chained directly together without the need for adapters or coupling sleeves. This simplifies deployment and reduces the number of components a field team needs to carry.
✅ Hybrid Connectivity: The larger HXB13 and HXB15 models can be configured to carry both optical fibers and electrical signals or power within the same rugged shell. This is particularly useful for powering remote equipment or sensors over a single tactical cable.
✅ Easy Maintenance: Because the lenses do not make physical contact, cleaning is simplified and does not require specialized tools, which is a significant advantage in dusty or muddy field conditions.

Primary Applications

✅The HXB series is engineered for environments where standard connectors are not viable.
✅ Military Tactical Communications: Rapidly deployable field networks and command posts.
✅ Avionics and Marine Systems: Onboard networks for aircraft and ships that experience constant vibration.
✅ Outside Broadcast: Temporary, high-bandwidth links for live events like sports or news reporting.
✅ Offshore and Mining: Connections for equipment on oil rigs or in mines where dust and moisture are prevalent.

Key Technical Specifications

These connectors are built to meet demanding standards, often designed to be compatible with the MIL-DTL-83526 specification. The table below summarizes the typical performance for the HXB series.