Nortech Systems’ technology provides a hybrid design that is said to far exceed the data transmission capabilities of traditional copper cables.
MINNEAPOLIS—Nortech Systems Incorporated recently announced the issuance of a new patent for what it described as its groundbreaking Active Optical Xtreme (AOX) technology platform.
The innovative technology integrates cutting-edge transceivers, receivers, and optical fiber within a non-magnetic cable or connector assembly that is designed to operate in magnetically sensitive environments. It is poised to “transform data transmission capabilities across a range of sectors, including medical imaging, avionics, wireless communications, scientific instrumentation. and industrial applications,” according to a release from Nortech Systems.
Nortech Systems is a major provider of engineering and manufacturing services for complex electromedical and electromechanical products. The company serves the medical, aerospace and defense, and industrial markets. Its manufacturing and supply chain capabilities are vertically integrated around wire, cable, and interconnect assemblies; printed circuit board assemblies, and system-level assembly, integration, and final test.
In May, Nortech announced the consolidation of all wire and cable production for aerospace and defense customers to its Bemidji, Minnesota facility. The move follows four years of strategic investments in research and development, significantly upgrading the fiber optic manufacturing capabilities at the Bemidji site. By centralizing production, Nortech aims to grow the fiber optic business, enhance operational efficiency, bolster product quality, and reinforce its commitment to innovation and sustainability within the industry, the company said in the release.
Nortech described its AOX technology as a significant leap forward in the realm of data connectivity and management. It is said to provide a hybrid design that “far exceeds the data transmission capabilities of traditional copper cables while offering power and signal delivery.”
By incorporating fiber optics and minimizing magnetic content, the highly rugged AOX is reported to enhance performance in an environmentally sustainable manner. This aligns with Nortech Systems’ commitment to innovation and sustainability, reflecting the company’s “broader ethos of pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in digital connectivity and manufacturing technologies,” according to the release.
With the incorporation of fiber optics, AOX cables are said to offer numerous benefits over traditional data transfer methods, including substantially increased data transfer speeds, electromagnetic interference (EMI) immunity, and managed voltage drop—with flexibility and durability across longer distances. “This makes AOX uniquely suitable for high-performance data communications that cannot impact magnetically sensitive applications,” the company said.
“Nortech Systems is proud to announce the patent of our Active Optical Xtreme technology that works in sophisticated magnetic environments, a testament to our team’s dedication to innovation, hard work, and excellence in the field of digital connectivity solutions,” said Jay D. Miller, CEO of Nortech Systems, in the release. “AOX represents not only a significant advancement in our product offerings but also underscores our commitment to providing state-of-the-art solutions that meet the evolving needs of our clients to deliver products that offer lighter weight, lower cost, and durable solutions in a sustainable manner.”
The AOX platform is expected to see increased adoption as industries seek more efficient and reliable methods to manage and transmit data in applications where sophisticated magnetic performance is required.
According to Nortech Systems, “The patent and subsequent implementation of AOX technologies are poised to set a new standard of digital data transfer in magnetically sensitive environments, reinforcing Nortech Systems’ position as a leader in the global electronics manufacturing services (EMS) market.”