DS3800NFCF1J1E | New Surplus GE Turbine Control Board

Description

Product Introduction

The DS3800NFCF1J1E is the single-channel version of the NFCD1L1E’s coherent-detection variant—a board that combines 20km range with coherent receiver sensitivity and aerospace-grade ruggedization. The suffix tells the story: the first “1” indicates a hardware revision. The “J” specifies a 1550nm DWDM laser with a coherent receiver and an integrated EDFA preamplifier—providing a 42dB optical budget, enough for 20km on single-mode fiber. The second “1” adds the diagnostic suite. The final “E” is the aerospace-grade environmental package. This board was designed for single-link installations where 20km range and coherent detection are required—and where the environment demands the highest possible reliability.

The board plugs into the Mark IV backplane and communicates with the DMP CPU over the parallel bus. The coherent receiver provides better sensitivity than the APD-based 1G1E, while the EDFA preamplifier provides the optical gain. Compare this to the NFCF1G1E (same 20km range, DWDM laser, EDFA preamplifier, but APD receiver instead of coherent). The 1J1E uses coherent detection, which is more sensitive and provides better performance in noisy environments.

Key Technical Specifications

Compatible Replacement Models

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What’s the difference between the 1J1E and the 1G1E?
The 1J1E uses a coherent receiver (phase-diversity, DSP-based) while the 1G1E uses an APD receiver. Coherent detection provides about 2dB better sensitivity (-46dBm versus -44dBm), which translates to slightly better link margin or the ability to handle higher fiber loss. The coherent receiver also requires more DSP processing and draws slightly more power. The 1J1E is the premium version; the 1G1E is the practical version.

Why would I choose coherent detection over APD?
Coherent detection offers three advantages: (1) better sensitivity (about 2-3dB), (2) improved resistance to optical noise and interference, and (3) better performance on fiber with high dispersion. If your fiber link has high loss, high noise, or you need every dB of margin, choose the 1J1E. If you have clean fiber and moderate loss, the 1G1E is sufficient.

Is the EDFA safe to work with?
The EDFA contains a 980nm pump laser that outputs up to 100mW. This is Class 3B—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.

What firmware do I need for this board?
The EDFA and coherent receiver require custom firmware v4.5 or later. We include the custom firmware EPROMs with every board. We recommend we do the upgrade in-house before shipping.

Can I use this board with a standard NFCF at the other end?
No. The 1J1E uses a 1550nm DWDM laser, EDFA, and coherent receiver. The standard NFCF uses 850nm LED. They won’t communicate. Both ends need to be 1J1E (or 1J, 1J1, or 1L1E) boards.

What’s the most common failure mode on the NFCF1J1E?
We’ve handled only a handful. The most common failure is the EDFA pump laser—it can degrade over time. The EDFA Pump Current LED gives you advance warning. The coherent receiver’s lock can also drift if the board is subjected to extreme temperature cycling, but the temperature-compensated power tracking should compensate.

What’s your warranty and lead time?
The NFCF1J1E is a rare board. Lead time is 3-5 business days. We offer a 2-year warranty. We test every board with a 48-hour burn-in, a fiber optic loopback test (with a spool of 20km single-mode fiber), and a full diagnostic verification. The test report is included.

Is this board compatible with the Mark VIe?
No. This board is for Mark IV systems only. The backplane architecture is different.

ABB PM861AK01
GE IS220PRTDH1B
ABB 3HAC020208-001/04
GE VMIVME-5565