Arduino shield simplifies use of fibre-optic datalink in MPU designs

OMC has launched an H19 fibre optic shield, compatible with Arduino Uno, to demonstrate how an optical fibre datalink can readily be integrated into a microprocessor-based design. The shields combine transmitter, receiver and all essential drivers plus digital output which is ideal for interfacing with MPUs. An all-in-one design simplifies the receiver circuit and avoids having to design and incorporate the traditional pin diode amplifier and Schmitt trigger circuits required to give a digital output.

Comments William Heath, OMC’s commercial director: “Certain applications require total confidence in the integrity of the data transmission. Fibre optic datalinks are reliable, totally secure, noise-free, interference-proof and electrically isolated. These shields have been designed to simplify the process of integrating fibre optic datalinks into a digital system.”

The shield is designed for use with the Arduino Uno and is stackable. It has jumpers for transmitter and receiver devices. An example program is supplied which shows a datalink using the UART ports to transmit data over the optical fibre link. Data can be monitored either by utilising the serial monitor of the Arduino software or by the code is written to interface with a standard 16x2 LCD shield, which can be stacked on top of the fibre shield.

The shield can be used with any of the available microprocessor baud rates: 300, 600, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 14400, 19200, 28800, 38400, 57600, or 115200. The actual fibre optic emitter and receiver pair can operate up to 5Mbd – the shield is simply a way of demonstrating the potential of including an optical fibre link into a design.

The shield can be used with PMMA cables up to 25m long in the standard configuration. For an extended range, the company can provide a high-power emitter option and devices appropriate for use with glass fibre if PMMA is not suitable for the application. The transmitter and receivers can be ordered separately to build into customers’ own designs. Other cable lengths and alternative fibre/jacket types are also available on request. The company can also offer the transmitter and receiver parts in this shield mounted in alternative housings to connect with different fibre types.