Disposable fiber-optic spool for Unmanned Ground Vehicles [UGV]

Because the optic fiber spool is intended to be directly mounted onto the vehicle, we have designed very compact and lightweight packages. We offer different packages in size depending on the required spool capacity. For instance, our smallest package can contain up to 500 m fiber length in a 64 mm long by 85 mm diameter box and weighs only 235 g.

The deployable side of the spool is connected by an ST connector to the control station while the stationary fiber is connected to the vehicle. Hence, the fiber does not suffer any constraint since it deploys while the vehicle moves. Besides, the optical fiber is reinforced by a custom design cable and spooled with high precision, offering high-speed deployment over long distances.

Potential applications range from the inspection of pipelines and underground mines to reconnaissance and demining operations. Please note that both the UGV and the control station must be equipped with an optoelectronic device.

Another advantage of the RBOB-UGV spool is that it is a disposable system based on the concept: 1 mission = 1 spool. The optical fiber can be easily detached and left on the field, which prevents from rewinding the optical cable and thus allows to save time and to shorten the missions. Anything left on the field will quickly deteriorate. The pollution generated is extremely low: the optical fiber is made of silica and epoxy acrylate coating. Silica is nothing more than sand, and the epoxy acrylate coating represents only a small volume: 0.14 dm³ for 1 km of fiber.

Also, the fiber can be easily reconnected on the field with a simple field connectorization kit.