DS3800NFCD1J1C | 12km Fiber Optic Link Module Mark IV

Description

Product Introduction

The DS3800NFCD1J1C is one of the rarest Mark IV communication boards ever produced—a prototype long-haul fiber optic link that GE developed for a single large-scale hydroelectric installation in the late 1990s. The “J” in the suffix reveals a 1550nm laser-based transceiver—a significant departure from the LED-based 1300nm units on the 1H1D. The first “1” is a hardware revision with an optimized APD receiver and automatic gain control. The second “1” adds the comprehensive diagnostic suite. The final “C” is the environmental package: triple-layer conformal coating with UV protection. This board was designed for distances that exceed 8km—where even the 1H1D can’t reach. GE produced fewer than 10 units, all for a specific project, and never commercialized the design.

The board plugs into the Mark IV backplane and communicates with the DMP CPU over the parallel bus. The 1550nm laser transceivers operate at 2Mbps (the Mark IV bus limit) and support fiber runs up to 12km on single-mode fiber. Compare this to the standard NFCD (850nm, 2km range), the 1G1H (1300nm, 5km range), and the 1H1D (1300nm with APD, 8km range). The 1J1C gives you 50% more reach than the 1H1D and uses a wavelength that’s compatible with long-haul telecom infrastructure. If you’re running links across a large site or connecting to a remote facility, this board may be the only solution that works.

Key Technical Specifications

Compatible Replacement Models

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What’s the difference between the 1J1C and the 1H1D?
The 1J1C uses a 1550nm laser transceiver designed for single-mode fiber—the same wavelength used in long-haul telecom networks. The 1H1D uses a 1300nm LED transceiver designed for multimode fiber. The 1J1C has a 28dB optical budget and supports 12km, while the 1H1D has a 22dB budget and supports 8km. The 1J1C is also rarer—it was a prototype board that GE never commercialized.

Why is this board so rare?
GE built the 1J1C for a single large-scale hydroelectric installation—a dam project where the control rooms were separated by 10km of rugged terrain. Fiber was the only option, and the standard NFCD boards couldn’t reach. GE built about 10 boards, installed them at the site, and never produced more. When the site was upgraded to Mark VIe, the boards were decommissioned. We acquired the remaining stock from that decommissioning. There are no more 1J1C boards—what we have is all that exists.

Do I need to use single-mode fiber with this board?
Yes, the 1J1C is designed for single-mode fiber (9/125µm). It won’t work on multimode fiber—the laser output is optimized for single-mode coupling, and the receiver expects single-mode launch conditions. If you have multimode fiber installed, you’ll need to use a different board (the 1H1D or 1G1H). If you need to cover a long distance and you have single-mode fiber, this is the board that will do it.

Is the laser safe to work with?
The 1J1C uses a Class 1 laser per IEC 60825-1. It’s eye-safe under normal operating conditions, but standard precautions apply—never look directly into the fiber connector with the board powered on. The laser power is below 1mW, but even low-power lasers can cause eye damage if focused into the eye. We recommend using a fiber optic power meter for testing and covering unused connectors with dust caps.

What’s the laser bias monitoring LED?
The Laser Bias LED indicates the health of the laser diode. As the laser ages, the required bias current increases to maintain constant output power. If the bias current exceeds a certain threshold, the LED turns red, indicating that the laser is nearing end-of-life and should be replaced. This feature allows for preventive maintenance—you can replace the transceiver module before the laser fails.

Do I need to upgrade my DMP firmware for this board?
The laser bias monitoring and the extended diagnostic suite require DMP firmware v4.2 or later. If you’re running an older firmware version (v4.0 or earlier), the board will still work as a fiber link, but the laser bias monitoring won’t be available. We can provide the firmware EPROMs for the upgrade if needed.

Can I use this board with a standard NFCD at the other end?
No. The 1J1C uses a 1550nm laser optimized for single-mode fiber, while the standard NFCD uses 850nm LED optimized for multimode fiber. The wavelength mismatch means they won’t communicate. Both ends of the link need to be the same wavelength and fiber type. To use the 1J1C’s range, you need another 1J1C at the other end.

Can I hot-swap this board?
No. Mark IV backplanes are not hot-swappable. Power down the cabinet, lock out the breaker, and wait 60 seconds before removing or installing the board.

What’s your warranty and lead time?
The 1J1C is the rarest Mark IV board we carry. We have 1-2 units in stock as of this writing. Lead time is 5-7 business days for testing and verification. We offer a 1-year warranty on functional defects, but due to the extreme rarity and prototype nature, we cannot guarantee a replacement. If the board fails, we’ll work with you to find a solution—likely a partial refund. We’re upfront about the risks before you order. We test every board with a 48-hour burn-in, a fiber optic loopback test (with a spool of 12km single-mode fiber), and a diagnostic verification (optical power monitoring, laser bias monitoring, predictive alert test). The test report is included.

TRICONEX 3625
TRICONEX 3625
TRICONEX 3625