News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 15th, 2018
/ Editor Contact Information
Bill Kysiak, Hirose Electric
630-282-6707

Garth Miller, All Business Marketing
919-424-0090

TheminiatureBF4MSeries active optical connector familydramatically reduces the required PCB mounting space forfactory automation, medical electronics and more…

Hirose’s Unidirectional Active Optical Connector System Features

Built-in E/O-O/E Devices that Support up to 6.25 Gbps

Downers Grove, ILLINOIS –February 15th, 2018 -- Hirose, a leader in the design and manufacture of innovative connector solutions, has developed a unidirectional active optical connector system with built-in E/O on the Tx(transmit) end and an O/E on the Rx (receiver) end. The BF4M optical connector system converts a balanced high-speed differential electrical signal on a PCB at one end into a MM optical signal for transmission down a very thin flexible FO cable, and then converts it back into an electrical signal on the other end. The BF4M Series is designed as a separate plug and receptaclethat solders to the PCB to eliminatethe thermal issues associated with soldering the E/O and O/E devices directly to the PCB.

Designed with an ultra-low profile and space-saving receptacle, the BF4M Series optical interconnects support highspeed isolated signal transmission from 0.05Gbps up to 6.25Gbps and long distance transmission up to100m. The user-friendly optical connector features an innovative internal wiring system that offers all the benefits of fiber optic signaling including high signal quality, low power consumption (less than 120nW), and excellent EMI noise prevention. The BF4M uses high flex fiber optic cable capable of withstanding significant bending cycles tested at a 2mm bending radius.

While designed forfactory automation and medical industries, the lightweight optical connector systemis an ideal solution for any application that requires long reach, high speed and limited wiring space.

“The BF4M Series offers significant space-savings when compared to conventional systems usinga SFP module and LC connector. In addition, conventional optical modules still leave challenges for internal connections. The user-friendly BF4M Series optical transmission system has a unique, simplifieddesign optimized for internal connectionthat ensures high speed, low power, and low noise operation,”said Bill Kysiak, Product Marketing Manager for Hirose Electric USA.

The BF4M Series receptacle has a height of only 1.5mm, 11.5mm long, and 5.5mm wide.

For additional information about the BF4Mconnectors, please visit:

For more information about Hirose, visit

ABOUT HIROSE ELECTRIC

Hirose Electric Co., Ltd. is a leading global supplier of innovative interconnects, with sales of over $1 billion to customers worldwide. Hirose employs advanced engineering services, superior customer support and worldwide manufacturing capabilities to provide value-based connector solutions for various industries including: industrial, telecommunication, consumer electronics, computer and automotive. More information can be found on Hirose Electric’s corporate website at