This article introduces the Active Optical Connector application case series "Active Optical Connector for Industrial Robots." Active Optical Connector (AOC) is important communication device suitable for Industrial Robots because it is small and lightweight, capable of long-distance high-speed communication of large amounts of data and less susceptible to external noise.
This article contains useful information for signal transmission, control and network engineers of Industrial Robots.
If you have trouble with high-speed signal transmission with Industrial Robots, please use this information.
(You can read this article in about five minutes.)
Table of Contents
What is an Active Optical Connector?
- Use of robot arm camera for image signal transmission
- Use in robot control signal transmission applications
AOC Solves Transmission Problems of FA Cameras
Advice from AOC Development Engineers
What is an Active Optical Connector?
Active Optical Connector (AOC) is electrical connector that converts electrical signals (differential signals) into optical signals for transmission over optical fiber cables. It is an optical transmission device that is less affected by external noise even in long-distance communication between devices over tens of meters, and enables stable, high-speed transmission of large-volume data. It also enables electrical isolation between devices.
AOC Used in Industrial Robots
AOC is used to transmit camera image signals and control signals for industrial robots.
Let's take a look at where AOC is used in industrial robots.
1. Use case of robot arm camera for image signal transmission
A small and lightweight device is required for a robot arm tip camera so as not to interfere with the high-speed operation of the robot. AOC is a small and lightweight device that reduces the mounting area by 85% and the weight by 94% compared to Small Form-factor Pluggable (SFP), which is also a bidirectional single-channel optical communication device.
Compared to coaxial cables, optical fiber cables are thinner and less rigid, making it easier to wire limited spaces in an arm and greatly improving workability for maintenance and other tasks. Since the noise generated by the motor is not superimposed on the optical fiber, high-pixel, large-volume image data can be stably transmitted even if the wiring length is long.
2. Use case in robot control signal transmission applications
The controller and the control board, as well as each control board, are daisy-chained by optical fibers.
Highly reliable communication using optical devices that are less affected by noise can prevent not only robot malfunction but also operation delay due to data retransmission.
In addition, bidirectional communication can feed back signals such as encoder and torque to the controller at low delay. And, by using a ring structure for the communication path, it is possible to construct a highly redundant system that can cope with disconnections.
AOC Solves Transmission Problems of FA Cameras
The following problems may arise when transmitting output signals and control signals from FA cameras (machine vision cameras /robot vision cameras) mounted on industrial robots.
・If there are many devices that generate noise and the distance between the camera and the image processing apparatus becomes long, the quality of the image transmission signal cannot be secured and the image quality deteriorates. Increased man-hours required for noise suppression components and board redesign.
・Shielded cables are thick and heavy, making wiring difficult to handle and difficult to use in moving parts.
・Because the size of the camera is fixed, SFP is too large to fit inside the camera.
・SFP has high current consumption and image quality degradation due to heat generation.
Can AOCs solve these problems?
Of course, the Active Optical Connector V series can solve all your problems!
AOC achieves high-speed transmission of large amounts of data due to their high noise tolerance through optical transmission (both high definition and high frame rate). It also contributes to slimming down industrial robots with small and lightweight devices. High-speed transmission, wiring saving, and weight reduction can be achieved at the same time.
Since the layout can be made in the limited space inside the FA cameras (machine vision cameras /robot vision camaras), the degree of layout freedom is high, and the camera can be miniaturized. The SFP can be replaced as a layout-free SFP in your location. AOC has low power consumption and low heat generation, so no heat dissipation design is required. Panasonic Industry's AOC also has an optical connection type that supports LC connectors. It is easy to connect devices to each other when connecting to the controller.
Advice from AOC Development Engineers
・AOC is a transmission device with a wide transmission bandwidth. The input signals are transmitted and output in the same bandwidth. However, the input signal must be DC-balanced with 8B10B code conversion.
・Optical signals are resistant to electromagnetic noise, but the opto-electrical converter is affected by noise. Panasonic Industry's AOC has a metal shell protecting the opto-electrical converter and the GND connection to prevent noise.
・Are you thinking, "I have never dealt with optical transmission and it seems difficult"? AOC is an electrical interface with an electrical connector. It can be completed with a normal electrical design.
・The optical connection type is a device that can replace SFP, so if you have trouble with SFP, please consider replacing it.
Comments from users about AOC
"Noise immunity, board-to-board isolation, and lightweight transmission cables were achieved by using a robot. "
"It is good that it can handle noise and is small enough to be installed in narrow spaces."
"We had a problem with noise immunity, so we considered optical transmission devices."
"Since switching to optical transmission, bit errors that sometimes occur in electrical transmission have disappeared."
"We were able to release the product according to the development schedule, free from the world of repeated thinking errors in the design for noise prevention."
Learn more about AOCs
Did you understand the important role of AOC in industrial robots?
We hope this article helps you understand AOCs better.
Learn more about AOC! If you want to use AOC in your applications, please check out our feature page.
