Labeling and/or marking aircraft fiber optic cable harnesses with a feature (i.e., color) that differentiates a “fiber optic” cable harness from a “wire” cable harness is another way to alert the fleet maintainer to the presence of fiber optic technology onboard the aircraft.
Awareness training to ensure the avionics maintenance technician is cognizant of the significance of the triangular sticker and/or the labeled/marked cable harness is a key element in the overall concept of avionics fiber optic network maintenance.
Conclusion
Significant work is ongoing to institute the concept of “network interface design for support-ability and maintainability” in developmental tactical aircraft avionics fiber optic networks. Future life cycle cost impact studies in fielded squadron aircraft are expected to validate the assertions put forth in this paper.