Data Device Corporation has been awarded a contract by The Boeing Company to provide the ARINC 629 Plastic Optical Converter (APOC) for use on the Boeing 777X. The APOC is a Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) that contains an array of Optical Media Converters (OMCs) that convert electrical ARINC 629 signals from each system LRU into optical signals that can communicate on a Passive Optical Network (PON) using Plastic Optical Fiber (POF).

ARINC 629 is a robust digital data bus that was first deployed on the 777 aircraft and has proven to be an extremely reliable interface for over 20 years. ARINC 629 makes use of current mode couplers to connect to an electrical data bus cable. The APOC system, also known as POF629 system, replaces the current mode couplers, coupler integration panels, and electrical data bus cables with optical media converters, passive optical stars, and plastic optical fiber for Size, Weight and Power (SWaP) savings and increased reliability. The APOC maintains the ARINC 629 end-to-end communication protocol and interfaces between LRUs. The conversion to plastic optical fiber is completely transparent to the system user LRUs, and enables existing ARINC 629 equipment from the 777 to be reused for the 777X.

The implementation of the APOC represents a major step forward in the evolution of fiber optic networks for use in aircraft. The APOC system achieves significant SWaP savings as well as reductions in manufacturing labor for each airplane. POF holds the potential to enable high speed data communication that combines the Electromagnetic Effects (EME) and weight advantages of Glass Optical Fiber (GOF) and the ruggedness of electrical cable.

“The APOC award demonstrates DDC's focus on the civil aviation market. We look forward to contributing to the success of the 777x as a key member of the data networking implementation team, and as a direct supplier of an LRU that supports critical avionic functions”, stated Mike Hegarty, DDC's Data Bus Component Product Line Manager.