January 8th, 2026
We’re pleased to share the latest on Essential™, our rugged pluggable optical transceiver platform designed for demanding environments and high-performance fiber communications. Essential™ supports multiple configurations (Duplex, Dual TX, Dual RX, and Bi-Directional) and operates across a wide range of standard protocols including Ethernet, Fibre Channel, and ARINC 818.
Key Specifications
- Data Rates: 1–28 Gbps for next-generation connectivity.
- Optical Interfaces: ARINC 801 rugged fiber interface with options for multimode and singlemode wavelengths.
- Housing & Interface: Rugged metal housing with low-profile pluggable electrical connector and captive screws for high shock/vibration environments.
- Protocol Support: IEEE Ethernet, Fibre Channel, Infiniband, sFPDP, XAUI, FC-AV and more.
- Diagnostics: SFF-8472 compatible control and diagnostics monitoring.
- Link Reach & Performance: Example models like the ESL-10G-SR offer typical reaches up to ~400 m on OM4 multimode fiber with industry-standard optical power and receive sensitivity
- Environmental Ruggedness: Extended operating temperature options up to -55 °C to +110 °C available on select configurations.
Thermal & Mechanical Enhancements:
To meet extended temperature requirements, we’ve improved the thermal performance of the Essential™ platform. We’ve also updated the housing and electrical connector design to enhance reliability and support customers’ needs in broader environmental conditions.
Level 4 Development Update:
Here’s the latest status on each configuration’s qualification progress:
- TX2 & RX2: Final qualification testing is in progress
- BiDi: Working through final environmental qualification, with Level 4 expected by late January.
- Duplex: Currently in design with a targeted for completion in March.
In short: TX2, RX2, and BiDi will achieve Level 4 qualification in January, with Duplex to follow in March.
These improvements ensure Essential™ continues to deliver robust, high-speed optical performance in harsh applications including aerospace, defense, and industrial systems.
Stay tuned for further updates as testing concludes and products transition into full qualification and availability!
For more information on the Essential™ rugged optical transceiver, contact sales@cotsworks.com