Fiber and Copper Switching in an Ultra Compact Form Factor

An ultra compact six port gigabit ethernet switch with SFP compatibility

GigaBlox SFP is a 6 port (5 x 10/100/1000BASE-T + 1 x 1000BASE-X) ethernet switch designed for applications needing high data throughput with the scalability of an MSA Compliant, IEEE STD 802.3 SFP Port for network expansion.

We developed it as an upgrade to our existing GigaBlox switch, adding an SFP port to provide more capable network expansion, including the use of long range fiber.

GigaBlox SFP has a footprint of 52.5mm x 52.5mm, and runs from a very wide input voltage of 5 - 60V, which is overvoltage and reverse polarity protected. This allows the board to be powered from noisy voltage buses typical in mobile platforms like UAVs, USVs and robots. All ports on GigaBlox SFP are galvanically isolated from each other.

Typical Applications

Typical applications include drone communication links, underwater rover tethers and any other application that requires SFP + gigabit speeds in a SWaP limited profile.

The combination of 5 gigabit ethernet ports and a 1Gbps SFP on enables a huge range of networks to be constructed, far more than is possible with a standard 5 port ethernet switch (like GigaBlox). This makes GigaBlox SFP perfect for building networks that consist of a group of local devices and a single, long reach link. This topology is common in underwater rovers and drones.

A super compact design

We've managed to squeeze five 10/100/1000BASE-T ports and one 1000BASE-X (SFP) port into a 52.5mm x 52.5mm making GigaBlox SFP is the smallest SFP compatible switch on the market. We use Molex PicoClasp connectors, which are vibration tolerant due to their positive locking feature.

Wide operating temperature range

GigaBlox SFP can operate from -20°C to +85°C, enabling it to operate in far more challenging environments than typical commercially available ethernet switches.

Designed to be embedded

GigaBlox SFP has been designed to embedded into mobile platforms. To achieve this, GigaBlox SFP has the following features:

52.5mm x 52.mm footprint
M3 mounting holes, floating (unconnected to ground to avoid violating isolation)
Plug-and-play functionality, simply power on and the device will begin switching
Very wide, reverse and overvoltage protected input voltage range (5 - 60V)
Vibration tolerant positive locking Molex PicoBlade connectors for ports and power
Maximum 4.5W power consumption (including SFP power draw).

This makes GigaBlox SFP the best solution for combining ethernet swithing with fiber connectivity in Size, Weight and Power limited applications.