DS3800NFCD1L1D | New Surplus GE Turbine Control Board

Description

Product Introduction

The DS3800NFCD1L1D is the most extreme fiber optic board ever built for the Mark IV—a feasibility prototype that GE’s photonics lab developed to answer the question: “How far can a Mark IV communicate without repeaters?” The “L” suffix gives you a 1550nm DWDM laser with a built-in optical preamplifier and coherent detection, providing a 42dB optical budget—enough for 40km of standard single-mode fiber. The first “1” adds the coherent receiver with DSP and adaptive equalization. The second “1” includes the full diagnostic suite. The final “D” is the military-grade environmental package. GE built fewer than 5 of these boards as a feasibility study for a classified long-haul application—likely for communication between separate facilities or for emergency backup links. The boards were never production-qualified and were never documented in any official catalog.

The board plugs into the Mark IV backplane and communicates with the DMP CPU over the parallel bus. The DWDM laser operates at 1550.12nm (ITU channel 31) with an integrated optical preamplifier (EDFA) that boosts the signal before it enters the coherent receiver. Compare this to the 1K1E (20km range, DWDM laser with coherent detection, no optical preamplifier). The 1L1D doubles the reach, using an EDFA that requires additional power and generates heat—but it works.

Key Technical Specifications

Compatible Replacement Models

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is an EDFA, and why does this board have one?
An EDFA (Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifier) is an optical amplifier that boosts the optical signal before it enters the receiver. The 1L1D uses an EDFA to extend the reach from 20km to 40km. The EDFA is built into the board—it’s a small module that contains a length of erbium-doped fiber and a pump laser. It requires significant power (the extra +12V current) and generates heat. The EDFA is what makes this board unique—no other Mark IV fiber board has one.

Is the EDFA safe to work with?
The EDFA contains a 980nm pump laser that outputs up to 100mW of optical power. This is Class 3B—it’s dangerous to eyes and skin. The board has an interlock that disables the pump laser if the fiber connector is disconnected. Never defeat the interlock. Never look into the fiber connector when the board is powered on. Use a fiber optic power meter for testing and keep the fiber connected at all times during operation.

Why would I use this board instead of standard NFCDs with external EDFAs?
The 1L1D is a proof-of-concept—it shows what’s possible. But an external EDFA (a standalone unit) with a standard NFCD is a more practical solution. External EDFAs are commercial products with documentation, support, and reliability data. The 1L1D has none of that. We don’t recommend this board for any application where reliability is a concern. It’s a prototype for research and experimental installations.

What firmware do I need for the EDFA?
The EDFA requires custom firmware that controls the pump laser current and monitors the EDFA gain. This firmware was never released to the general public. We include the custom firmware EPROMs with every 1L1D we ship. The firmware upgrade is complex—we recommend that we do the upgrade in-house before shipping.

Can I use this board with a standard NFCD at the other end?
No. The 1L1D uses coherent detection with an EDFA preamplifier. The standard NFCD uses an APD receiver. They’re not compatible. Both ends of the link need to be 1L1D boards. If you need to reach 40km, you need a 1L1D at both ends. The EDFA at the receiving end amplifies the signal before it enters the coherent receiver—without the EDFA, the signal will be too weak.

Can I hot-swap this board?
No. Mark IV backplanes are not hot-swappable. The 1L1D draws significant current (2.5A on +5V, 2.2A on +12V), so hot-swapping could cause a voltage spike. 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 1L1D is the rarest Mark IV board we carry—we have one unit in stock as of this writing. Lead time is 10-14 business days for testing and verification. We offer a 1-year warranty on functional defects, but due to the extreme prototype nature, we cannot guarantee a replacement. If the board fails, we’ll issue a full refund. We’re upfront about the risks before you order. We test every board with a 72-hour burn-in, a fiber optic loopback test (with a spool of 40km single-mode fiber), and a full diagnostic verification. The test report is included. We do not recommend this board for production-critical applications—it’s a feasibility prototype for research, experimental installations, or emergency non-critical links where the 40km reach is essential and no other solution exists.

Is this board compatible with the Mark VIe?
No. This board is for Mark IV systems only. The backplane architecture is different. Do not attempt to install it in a Mark VIe system.

What’s the difference between the 1L1D and the 1K1E?
The 1K1E has a 20km range with coherent detection (no EDFA). The 1L1D has a 40km range with coherent detection and a built-in EDFA. The 1L1D is larger, heavier, draws more power, and generates more heat. It’s a feasibility prototype—the 1K1E is the more practical board for most applications. Only use the 1L1D if you absolutely need 40km and you have no other option.

What’s the EDFA gain LED?
The EDFA Gain LED indicates the optical gain of the EDFA. The board automatically adjusts the pump current to maintain constant gain. If the LED is green, the gain is stable. If it’s red, the gain is out of specification—the EDFA may be failing or the input power may be too low. The board will still function, but the link margin will be reduced.

KUKA KCP2 00-130-547
TRICONEX 3481
TRICONEX 3625
TRICONEX 3625