How to Replace Electrodes for Fusion Splicing Machine

Electrodes are the most essential consumable of fusion splicing machine. In general, after a period of use, it needs to be replaced. This is the basic maintenance of fusion splicing machine. Thus, users of fusion splicing machines should have the ability to judge when to replace electrodes and master the maintenance knowledge of replacing electrodes. This post will guide you how to judge when to replace the electrodes and explain the replacing steps by taking example of the latest Fujikura fusion splicing machine fiber-mart M-80S.

 

When to Replace Electrodes of Your Fusion Splicing Machine

What’s the best time to replace the electrodes of your fusion splicing machine, and how do you know when to replace it? Different users have different methods according to their working experiences. But the most basic method to judge when to replace the electrodes will be introduced here. Generally, there are two basic ways to judge whether the fusion splicing machine needs to be replaced its electrodes.

 

There is a function of a fusion splicing machine called arc discharge count. Electrodes should be replaced after reaching the manufactures recommended arc discharges. In general, the fusion splicing machine will alarm to remind users to replace the electrodes in that case. You should replace the electrodes of your fusion splicing machine when you see this alarm. Otherwise, splicing loss and quality will be effected.

 

Users can confirm whether the electrodes need to be replaced through some abnormal conditions during using. For example, if you find that your fusion splicing machine often prompt discharge not stable during the splicing, or discharge correction can not pass normally, or even the tip of the electrodes are oxidate severely and bald, you should replace the electrodes in those cases.

 

How to Replace Electrodes of Fusion Splicing Machine

Electrodes Replacing Steps

We can see the electrodes replacing steps in the following picture. It shows us the electrodes replacing steps of the Fujikura latest fiber-martM-80S fusion splicing machine.

 

Tips for Replacing Electrodes

 

Ensure to use the appropriate sized screwdriver to remove the fixing screws of the electrodes fixture. Because long-term use of an unsuitable screwdriver to remove the screw may cause the screw to be stripped which may affect the later disassembly.

Avoid excessive pressure when locking the screw, otherwise screw also will be stripped so that the later disassembly is inconvenience.

When installing the electrodes, tighten screws no more than finger tight while pushing the electrode collars against the electrode fixtures, Incorrect installation of the electrodes may result in greater splice loss or damage to the circuit.

Be careful not to damage the electrodes shaft or tips. Any damaged electrodes should be discarded

Always replace fusion splicer electrodes as a pair.

 

 

After replacing the electrodes, it’s necessary to stabilize the electrode and conduct discharge correction in order to make sure that the new electrodes perform well. These can usually be done through instructions of the fusion splicing machine. In addition, we should use the discharge correction feature to get the best discharge power of the machine in daily use.

 

fiber-mart Fiber Optic Splicing Solutions

Fiber optic splicing is an important part of fiber optic cabling. fiber-mart offers a comprehensive fiber optic splicing solution, from devices to tools, and even the management products (e.g. fiber optic splice closure and other fiber optic panels). Except the fiber-martM-80S fusion splicing machine mentioned above, fiber-mart offers several famous splicing machine brand, such as INNO, Sumitomo, Fujikura, Jilong and so on. Additionally, other tools related to fiber optic splicing including fiber optic cleavers, blades, aligners and splicing tool kits are offered in fiber-mart. AC adapter, battery charge cord and the replacement electrodes are also available. For more details, please visit our fiber-mart.com or contact us over sales@fiber-mart.com.

How to Use Field Assembly Connector?

The expansion of FTTH application has brought prosperity to the manufacturing of field assembly connectors for fast field termination. This type of connector gains its popularity due to the applicability to cable wiring and compact bodies which are easily stored in optical fiber housings. With excellent features of stability and low loss, field assembly connector has now become a reliable and durable solution for fiber optic systems. However, do you really know the field assembly process of the connector? This article provides an easy guide to show you the way of using field assembly connector.

 

Introduction to Field Assembly Connector

Before getting to know the instruction process, let’s have a look at the basic knowledge about field assembly connector. Field assembly connector or fast connector is an innovative field installable optical fiber connector designed for simple and fast field termination of single fibers. Without using additional assembling tools, field assembly connector can be quickly and easily connected to the drop cable and indoor cable, which saves a lot of required termination time. It is specially designed with the patented mechanical splice body that includes a factory-mounted fiber stub and a pre-polished ceramic ferrule. Field assembly connector is usually available for 250 µm, 900 µm, 2.0 mm and 3.0 mm diameter single-mode and multimode fiber types. The whole installation process only takes about 2 minutes which greatly improves the working efficiency.

 

Internal Structure of Field Assembly Connector

From the following figure, we can see the specific internal structure of field assembly connector. The ferrule end face of the connector is pre-polished in a factory for later connection with the fiber. A mechanical splice is also formed at the end of the ferrule for mechanical fixation of optical fiber. The mechanical splice consists two plates, one with a V groove, another with flat surface above the V groove, and a clamp for the insertion of the two plates. When inserting the fiber, a wedge clip will keep the V groove open for easier installation. After the fiber insertion, the wedge clip can be extracted from the V groove.

 

Features and Applications

Key Features

Field-installable, cost-effective, user-friendly

No requirement for epoxy and polishing

Quick and easy fiber termination in the field

No need for fusion splicer, power source and tool for pressure

Visual indication of proper termination

Applications

Fiber optic telecommunication

Fiber distribution frame

FTTH outlets

Optical cable interconnection

Cable television

Field Assembly Instruction Guide

Although it is an simple way to use field assembly connector, the right operation process is also important. Here will introduce some basic steps for connector installation.

 

Step 1, prepare the field assembly connector parts and related tools required during the process. There is no need for special tools, but fiber cleaver and jacket stripper are still necessary.

 

Step 2, insert the connector boot into the fiber cable.

 

Step 3, cut and reserve 10mm bare fiber by fiber cleaver and then make sure the total fiber length of 30 mm.

 

Step 4, insert the fiber from bottom until the stopper and make fiber present micro bend.

 

Step 5, press the press cover to tight the bare fiber.

 

Step 6, lock the boot with yarn.

 

Step 7, cut the yarn.

 

Step 8, screw the boot and put on housing to complete assembly.

 

Precautions

Here are some precautions for you to notice during the process:

 

Point 1, the product is sensitive to dirt and dust. Keeping it away from any possible contamination is necessary.

 

Point 2, the performance will be influenced by the fiber cutting surface condition. Use a cutter with a sharp blade for the best results.

 

Point 3, insert the fiber into the connector slowly. If the fiber is roughly inserted, it might be damaged or broken, leading to failure of connector installation. Broken fiber could scatter in all directions.

 

Point 4, do not remove the dust cap until the connector has been completely assembled in order not to cause a high insertion loss.

 

Point 5, a proper amount of index matching gel is applied in the connector. Do not insert fiber more than once into connector.

 

Conclusion

Fiber assembly connector enables quick termination to improve reliable and high connector performance in FTTH wiring and LAN cabling systems. All the above solutions provided by fiber-mart.COM are available to meet your requirements. Please visit the website for more information.

Fiber Patch Cable Selection Guide for 40G QSFP+ Transceivers

Numerous things need to be planned and designed for 40G migration. Whether the switches can support such a high speed Ethernet? Which kind of optical transceiver work best on the switches? Which optical transceiver is more cost-saving? Although most servers provided today can support 40G and 40G QSFP+ transceiver (Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable transceiver) are considered to be the most economic and effective transceivers for 40G migration, new problem still arises.

 

Patch Cords Matters to 40G

No matter how advanced the switches are, they all need to be connected together to form the whole 40G transmission network. To accomplish the connections between these switches, patch cords are usually linked to fiber optic transceivers which are plugged in Ethernet switches (as shown in the following picture). The quality of these connections can largely affect the reliability and stability of the whole 40G network. However, connectivity of 40G is much more complex than ever. Thus selecting the proper fiber patch cables for 40G network is more difficult and becomes a big issue in 40G migration. As mentioned, QSFP+ transceivers are suggested for 40G, this article will provide as detailed as possible about fiber patch cable selection for 40G QSFP+ transceivers.

 

Selecting Patch Cords for 40G QSFP+ Transceivers

Patch cords selection is a big issue to 40G not only because the switch connections necessity, but also because of the transmission principle of the fiber optic signals and the high density trend of 40G transmission. Several important factors should be taken into account when selecting patch cords for 40G QSFP+ transceivers, which are cable type, connector type and switch port.

 

Cable Type

 

Performances of optical signals with different wavelengths are often quite different. Even optical signals with the same wavelength perform totally different when they run through different fiber optic cables. Thus, the selection of the cable type is essential.

 

A typical question our customer asked when buying a fiber optical patch cords for 40G QSFP+ transceiver can illustrate this point clearly. Can a 40GBASE universal QSFP+ transceiver working on wavelength of 850nm be used with OM1 patch cords? The answer is yes, but not suggested. Why? As the optical signal transmission distance gets shorter as the data rate increases. The transmission distance and quality would be limited by using OM1 optical cable with 40G QSFP+ transceiver. OM1 cable is only suggested for 100 Mb/s and 1000Mb/s transmission. Two upgraded cables—OM3 and OM4 are suggested for 40G QSFP+ transceivers in short distance.

 

IEEE has announced standards for 40G transmission in both long distance and short distance, which are 40GBASE-SR4 and 40GBASE-LR4. (SR stands for short-reach and LR stands for long reach). The latter is suggested for 40G transmission over single-mode fiber in long distance up to 10km. The former is for 40G transmission in short distance over multimode fiber—OM3 (up to 100 meters) and OM4 (up to 150 meters). OM3 and OM4, which are usually aqua-colored, are accepted economic solutions for 40G in short distance with lower insertion loss and higher bandwidth.

 

Connector Type

 

The connector type of the patch cords should depend on the interface of 40G QSFP+ transceiver. Currently there are two interfaces commonly adopted by 40G QSFP+ transceiver which are MTP and LC. Usually 40G QSFP+ transceiver with MPO interface is designed for short transmission distance and LC for long transmission distance. However, several 40G QSFP+ transceivers like 40GBASE-PLR4 and 40GBASE-PLRL4 have MPO interfaces to support long transmission distance.

 

High density is the most obvious characteristic of 40G transmission, which is largely reflected in the MTP connectors on patch cords used with 40G QSFP+ transceiver. As QSFP+ transceiver uses four 10G channels to achieve the 40G transmission, thus 4 pairs of fibers are used and the 12-fiber MTP connectors can provide a time-save and stable solution for 40G QSFP+ transceivers. However, for multi-fiber connection, polarity should be considered for the selection of the patch cord. Here provide another article named “Understanding Polarity in MPO System” specifically explained MTP patch cords polarity for your reference.

 

However, to meet the market needs, 40G QSFP+ transceiver with LC interface is also available. This type of QSFP transceiver uses four lanes with each carrying 10G in 1310nm window multiplexed to achieve 40G transmission. For this type, patch cable with duplex LC connector should be used.

 

Switch Port

 

The importance of network flexibility gradually reveals as the speed of Ethernet increases. When it comes to 40G, network flexibility becomes an urgent issue which is closely related with applications. Right selection of patch cords for 40G QSFP+ transceiver can increase the network flexibility largely and effectively. Here offer two most common examples in 40G applications. One is 40G QSFP+ to 40G QSFP+ cabling, the other one is 40G QSFP+ to SFP+ cabling.

 

For distance up to 100m, the 40GBASE-SR4 QSFP+ transceiver can be used with OM3 fiber patch cable attached with a MPO one each end.

For distance up to 150m, the 40GBASE-SR4 QSFP+ transceiver can be used with OM4 fiber patch cable attached with a MPO one each end.

For distance up to 10km, the 40GBASE-LR4 QSFP+ transceiver can be used with single-mode fiber with LC connectors. The picture above shows the transmission of 40GBASE-LR4 QSFP+ transceiver with LC connector over single-mode fiber.

It’s very common that 40G ports is needed to be connected with 10G port. In this case, fan out patch cable with MTP connector on one end and four LC duplex connectors on the other end is suggested.

 

Conclusion

Cable type, connector type and switch port in selecting the right patch cords for 40G QSFP+ transceivers are necessary and important. They are closely related to the transmission distance, network flexibility and reliability of the whole 40G network. But in practical cabling for 40G QSFP+ transceivers, these three factors are far from enough. Planning and designing takes a lot of time and may not achieve results good enough. However, fiber-mart can solve your problems with professional one-stop service including the cost-effective and reliable network designing and 40G products.

40G QSFP+ Direct Attach Copper Cabling

Today’s enterprise data centers and networking environments are undergoing an infrastructure transformation, requiring higher speeds, greater scalability, and higher levels of performance and reliability to better meet the demands of business. As speed and performance needs increase, modern copper cables have become an integral part of overall system design. QSFP+ direct attach copper breakout cables are designed to meet emerging data center and high performance computing application needs for a short distance and high density cabling interconnect system capable of delivering an aggregate data bandwidth of 40Gb/s. These high speed cables provide a highly cost-effective way to upgrade from 10G to 40G or 40G to 40G interconnect connection.

 

How to Use a 40G QSFP+ Direct Attach Copper Cable QSFP+ direct attach copper cables can be mainly divided into two types. One is QSFP+ to 4 SFP+ direct attach breakout copper cable, and the other is QSFP+ to QSFP+ direct attach copper cable. In fact, there is a third type QSFP+ direct attach copper cable called QSFP+ to 4 XFP breakout cable. Since it is not common, this article may not make discussion. However, regardless of what type of cables, they are both used to connect switch to switch or switch to sever. For a QSFP+ to 4 SFP+ direct attach breakout copper cable, it has a QSFP+ connector on one end and four SFP+ connectors on the other end. In terms of a QSFP+ to QSFP+ direct attach copper cable, it has a QSFP+ connector on both ends of the cable. When we use a fiber optic transceiver and patch cable to establish a fiber link, we should firstly plug the transceiver to the switch and then plug the patch cable to the transceiver. But for a QSFP+ direct attach copper cable, either SFP+ connector or QSFP+ connector, can be both directly inserted into the switch and don’t need a transceiver at all, which provides a really cost-effective solution for interconnecting high speed 40G switches to existing 10G equipment or 40G switches to 40G switches.

 

40G QSFP+ to 4 SFP+ Direct Attach Copper Cabling The move from 10G to 40G Ethernet will be a gradual one. It is very likely that one may deploy switches that have 40G Ethernet ports while the servers still have 10G Ethernet ports. For that situation, we should use a QSFP+ to 4 SFP+ direct attach breakout copper cable. These cables connect to a 40G QSFP port of a switch on one end and to four 10G SFP+ ports of a switch on the other end, which allows a 40G Ethernet port to be used as four independent 10G ports thus providing increased density while permitting backward compatibility and a phased upgrade of equipment. As a lower cost alternative to MTP/MPO breakouts for short reach applications up to 5 meters, it helps IT organizations achieve new levels of infrastructure consolidation while expanding application and service capabilities.

 

40G QSFP+ to QSFP+ Direct Attach Copper Cabling QSFP+ to QSFP+ direct attach copper cable are suitable for very short distances and offer a highly cost-effective way to establish a 40G link between QSFP+ ports of QSFP+ switches within racks and across adjacent racks. These cables connect to a 40G QSFP port of a switch on one end and to another 40G QSFP port of a switch on the other end. Supporting similar applications to SFP+, these four-lane high speed interconnects were designed for high density applications at 10Gb/s transmission speeds per lane. One QSFP+ to QSFP+ direct attach copper cable link is equivalent to 4 SFP+ cable links, providing greater density and reduced system cost. Passive and active QSFP+ to QSFP+ direct attach copper cables are both available. With a active QSFP+ to QSFP+ direct attach copper cable assembly, the connection is capable of distances of up to 10 meters.

 

Besides 40G QSFP+ to 4 SFP+ and QSFP+ to QSFP+ direct attach copper cables, fiber-mart also provide other high speed cables such as 10G SFP+ direct attach cables, 40G QSFP+ to 4 XFP breakout copper cables and 40G QSFP+ to 8xLC breakout active optical cables. All these cables work with Cisco or other third-party switches. For more information, welcome to visit www.fiber-mart.com or contact us via sales@fiber-mart.com.

100G Multiprotocol Multirate Muxponder for More Cost-Effective WDM Network

With the increased network requirements of individuals and enterprises, carriers are faced with unique challenge. That is, how to leverage existing and newoptical networks so as to accommodate current growth and prepare for future expansion in the most effective manner? Muxponder technology, as a part of WDM technology, can maximize the fiber capacity to the extreme and meet the demands. It aggregates multiple services into a single wavelength which are then multiplexed along with other wavelengths into the same fiber.

 

100G Multiprotocol Multirate Muxponder Basic

The 100G multiprotocol multirate muxponder is optimized for high-capacity optical transport networks (OTN) migrating to 100G and data center or enterprise networks with significant investment in 10G and 40G router ports. It has two 40G QSFP+, ten 10G SFP+ client interfaces and a 100G CFP line interface that can cost-effectively support pluggable short range, DWDM metro and long range coherent 100G optics. Also, the 100G muxponder supports a wide variety of client services and protocols including 40G LAN, 10G LAN/WAN, STM64/OC-192, and 8G/10G Fibre Channel. Moreover, it supports an arbitrary mix of 10Gbps and 40Gbps client interfaces, up to a total of 100 Gbps.

 

Three Working Modes of 100G Multiprotocol Multirate Muxponder

As stated above, the 100G muxponder offers remarkable flexibility with fully pluggable interfaces, which can host 2x40G QSFP+ and 10x10G SFP+. So for customers with a large number of 10G services in their network, the 100G muxponder is an efficient way to combine ten 10G services into a single 100G service on the line side. For customers with a mix of 40G and 10G services, the 100G muxponder can flexibly carry any mix of services without the need to pre-plan the network or replace hardware for different mixes. Here shows the three different user-configurable muxponder options:

 

10 x 10G client services into 100G DWDM uplink

2 x 40G LAN + 2 x 8/10G client services into 100G DWDM uplink

1 x 40G LAN + 6 x 8/10G client services into 100G DWDM uplink

 

In muxponder model, all 10G or sub-10G services are first aggregated into a single 100G or 10G uplink respectively, and then passing between the sites utilizing one single wavelength. With this aggregation method, the muxponder thus maximizes the fiber utilization and presents effective low cost, easy to operate solutions for today’s enterprises and carriers.

 

Designed with plug-in card type, FS 100G multiprotocol multirate muxponder can be used as one part of our FMT transport system along with other plug-in cards like VOA, DCM, EDFA, etc. But the muxponder occupies two slots while the other plug-in cards occupy one slot.

 

100G Multiprotocol Multirate Muxponder Application

 

The 100G multiprotocol multirate muxponder can be used with OEO transponders when building WDM network, or with an embedded WDM signal on the same system. The number of line signals has to be less than, or equal to the number of ports on the WDM multiplexer. Typically, the OEO transponders and muxponders are favored over an embedded WDM transceiver if a switch vendor doesn’t support WDM transceivers. Or if a carrier needs to present a client signal to its users instead of a WDM signal.

 

Recommendation: Data center optimized OEO transponders and muxponders are the first choice for connecting geographically dispersed data centers over distance, since they are low in latency and high in MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures). This is especially true for Fibre Channel and other latency sensitive protocols. But if you have to use a Telco’s network, or if you need to have a full standard conform network interface like SDH (Synchronous Digital Hierarchy), SONET or OTH (Over The Horizon), you should use a ISP compliant WDM design. Please keep in mind that this could limit the features and capabilities of your Fibre Channel network.

 

In addition, the 100G-CFP based 100G aggregated interface allows 100G muxponder to cover a wide variety of applications ranging from multiprotocol aggregation over a dedicated fiber using 100GBASE-LR4 or 100GBASE-ER4 CFPs to complex DWDM networks employing metro or coherent CFP pluggable transceivers. By designing the 100G interface around standard CFP optics, the 100G Muxponder can take advantage of technical innovations in the rapidly changing 100G optics market. Rather than forcing network operators to make a 100G optics decision today that will be expensive to change, 100G pluggable optics give network operators the ability to adapt with changing technology.

 

Conclusion

With the flexible client architecture, the 100G multiprotocol multirate muxponder enables a seamless migration path from 10G up to 100G without hardware exchange. Besides, the exceptionally low power consumption allows the 100G muxponder to meet market demands for rack space savings and efficient power consumption, resulting in lowered total cost of ownership. So using the 100G muxponder to build more cost-effective WDM network would be a smart choice.

 

Choose Duplex Fiber or MPO/MTP Fiber for 40G Solutions?

by www.fiber-mart.com

There’s been a lot of talk lately surrounding bidirectional 40 Gb/s duplex applications, or BiDi for short. Currently offered as a solution by Cisco®, BiDi runs over duplex OM3 or OM4 multimode fiber using QSFP modules and wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technology. It features two 20 Gb/s channels, each transmitting and receiving simultaneously over two wavelengths on a single fiber strand – one direction transmitting in the 832 to 868 nanometer (nm) wavelength range and the other receiving in the 882 to 918 nm wavelength range. Avago Technologies also offers a similar QSFP BiDi transceiver.

 

Unidirectional 40 Gb/s duplex fiber solutions are available from Arista and Juniper. These differ from the BiDi solution in that they combine four 10 Gb/s channels at different wavelengths – 1270, 1290, 1310, and 1330 nm – over a duplex LC connector using OM3 or OM4 multimode or singlemode fiber. These unidirectional solutions are not interoperable with BiDi solutions because they use different WDM technology and operate within different wavelength ranges.

 

While some of the transceivers used with these 40 Gb/s duplex fiber solutions are compliant with QSFP specifications and based on the IEEE 40GBASE- LR4 standard, there are currently no existing industry standards for 40 Gb/s duplex fiber applications using multiple wavelengths over multimode fiber – either bidirectional or unidirectional. There are standards-based 40 Gb/s applications over duplex singlemode fiber using WDM technology, but standards-based 40 Gb/s and 100 Gb/s applications over multimode use multi-fiber MPO/MTP connectors and parallel optics (40GBASE-SR4 and 100GBASE-SR4).

 

40 Gb/s duplex fiber solutions are promoted as offering reduced cost and installation time for quick migration to 40 Gb/s applications due to the ability to reuse the existing duplex 10 Gb/s fiber infrastructure for 40 Gb/s without having to implement MPO/MTP solutions. However, some of the concerns surrounding these non-standards based 40 Gb/s duplex fiber solutions include:

 

Lack of standards compliance and lack of interoperability with standards-based fiber solutions

Risk of being locked into a sole-sourced/proprietary solution that may have limited future support

BiDi and other 40 Gb/s duplex transceivers require significantly more power than standards-based solutions

Lack of application assurance due to operation outside of the optimal OM3/OM4 wavelength of 850 nm

Limited operating temperature range compared to standards-based solutions

Due to the aforementioned risks and limitations of using non-standards-based 40 Gb/s duplex fiber solutions, we recommends following industry standards and deploying 40GBASE-SR4 for 40 Gb/s applications today. While this standard requires multiple fibers using an MPO/MTP-based solution, it offers complete application assurance and interoperability, as well as overall lower power consumption.

 

Furthermore, TIA and IEC standards development is currently underway for wideband multimode fiber (WBMMF), which is expected to result in a new fiber type (potentially OM5 or OM4WB) that expands the capacity of multimode fiber over a wider range of wavelengths to support WDM technology. While not set in stone, the wavelengths being discussed within TIA working groups are 850, 880, 910, and 940 nm.

 

Unlike current 40 Gb/s duplex fiber applications, WBMMF will be a standards-based, interoperable technology that will be backwards compatible with existing OM4 fiber applications. WBMMF is expected to support unidirectional duplex 100 Gb/s fiber links using 25 Gb/s channels on 4 different wavelengths. WBMMF will also support 400 Gb/s using 25 Gb/s channels on 4 different wavelengths over 8 fibers, enabling existing MPO/MTP connectivity to be leveraged for seamless migration from current standards-based 40 Gb/s and 100 Gb/s applications to future standards-based 400 Gb/s applications.

Which Fiber Loopback Should I Use for My Transceiver?

by www.fiber-mart.com

In telecommunication, fiber loopback is a hardware designed to provide a media of return patch for a fiber optic signal, which is typically used for fiber optic testing or network restorations. When we need to know whether our fiber optic transceiver is working perfectly, we can use a fiber loopback cable as an economic way to check and ensure it. Basically, the loopback aids in debugging the physical connection problem of the transceiver by directly routing the laser signal from the transmitter port back to the receiver port. Since fiber optic transceivers have different interface types and connect different types of cables, it is not that simple to choose a right loopback for our transceiver. This post will be a guide on how to choose a right loopback cable for specific transceiver module.

 

Fiber Loopback Types and Configurations

Before deciding which loopback cable to use, we should firstly know the structure and classification of fiber loopback cable. Generally, a fiber loopback is a simplex fiber optic cable terminated with two connectors on each end, forming a loop. Some vendors provide improved structure with a black enclosure to protect the optical cable. This designing is more compact in size and stronger in use. Based on the fiber type used, there is single-mode loopback and multimode loopback, available for different polishing types. According to the optical connector type of the loopback, fiber loopback cables can be divided to LC, SC, FC, ST, MTP/MPO, E2000, etc. In testing fiber optic transceiver modules, the most commonly used are LC, SC and MTP/MPO loopback cables.

 

The LC and SC loopbacks are made with simplex fiber cable and common connectors; it’s not difficult to understand their configurations. As for the MTP/MPO loopback, it is mainly used for testing parallel optics, such as 40G and 100G transceivers. Its configuration varies since the fiber count is not always the same in different applications.

 

Which to Choose for a Specific Transceiver?

Considering the common features of the transceiver and the loopback, we should think about the connector type, polish type, and cable type when selecting a loopback for the transceiver. The selection guide for some mostly used transceiver modules is summarized in the following tables.

 

Conclusion

This post discusses specific fiber loopback choices for some most commonly used fiber optic transceivers. For other transceiver modules that are not mentioned in this post, we can also know how to choose a suitable loopback for it by getting details about its interface type, physical contact and cable type.

MTP/MPO System for Different Applications

by www.fiber-mart.com

Many applications are pursuing the high bandwidth throughput, therefore using high-density patching is inevitable. But is there any good solution for high-density structured cabling? Definitely, MTP/MPO system solves your trouble with a wide range of MTP/MPO assemblies. It is a technique enabling multi-fiber connections to be used for data transmission. The high fiber count creates the endless possibilities of high-density patching. The easy installation of MTP/MPO assemblies also saves lots of operating time. This article will introduce some regular MTP/MPO products and their common applications.

 

Common MTP/MPO Products

To accommodate the needs for high speed networks, MTP/MPO system has many optics to fit for different applications. There are usually MTP/MPO cables, MTP/MPO cassettes, MTP/MPO optical adapter and MTP/MPO adapter panels.

 

MTP/MPO cables are terminated with MTP/MPO connectors at one end or both ends. The fiber types are often OM3 or OM4 multimode optical fibers. MTP/MPO cables has three basic branches of trunk cables, harness/breakout cables and pigtail cables. MTP/MPO trunks can be made with 8, 12, 24, 36, 48, 72 or even 144 fibers for single-mode and multimode applications. MTP/MPO harness cables are usually terminated with a MTP/MPO connector at one end and different connectors, such as LC, SC, ST connectors, etc. at the other end. Pigtails only have one end terminated with a MTP/MPO connector, and the other end is used for fiber optic splicing with no termination.

 

As for the MTP/MPO cassettes, they are equipped with standard MTP/MPO connectors to be deployed in an ODF (optical distribution frame) for high-density MDA (main distribution area) and EDA (equipment distribution area) in data centers.

 

Other components like the black-colored MTP/MPO optical adapter and adapter panels build the connection between MTP/MPO cable to cable or cable to equipment.

 

Applications

Data Center SAN (Storage Area Network)

MTP/MPO plug and play modules have been widely used in data centers, such as backbone products supporting hundreds of optical ports. Therefore, single cabinets must hold quantities of optical interconnections and patch cords. Since SAN needs high-density and modular cabling for easy reconfiguration, MTP/MPO plug and play modules are perfect to meet the requirements of these infrastructures.

 

Data Center Co-Location

Co-location data centers require flexibility of network expansions for new customers or new services. The pre-terminated UHD (ultra high density) MTP/MPO system is ideal for fast and rapid deployment or expansions in these networks.

 

Enterprise/Campus

UHD system modules can be installed in enterprise or campus networks using “plug and play” MTP/MPO or “just play” pre-terminated modules. Installation is fast and easy, which requires no professional fiber optics knowledge. Traditional splicing installation techniques can also be applied. There is a wide selection of cable types including tight buffer, loose tube, micro cable, etc. for employment.

 

Telecom Central Office

UHD system is a small footprint and is perfect for reduced space in high-density rack environments. Modules can be pre-terminated or feature MTP/MPO ports for improved reconfiguration. In addition, they can be fitted with splice management for traditional installation techniques.

 

Summary

In a word, MTP/MPO system is a perfect solution suited for high-density applications. The MTP/MPO products are designed to be space-saving and easy to manage. Initial investment for MTP/MPO assemblies might be expensive, but it is a wise and cost-effective decision to deploy the system for your application in the long run.

Standard of Fiber Optic Amplifier

by www.fiber-mart.com

We know Fiber Optical Amplifiers that design from simple single stage to more complex multistage amplifiers with variable gain evolved as a different viator for system performance by equipment manufacturers and were initially made in house. More recently, the equipment vendors outsourced the design and manufacturing of amplifiers to the component vendors while requiring more than one source in order to control cost and delivery risk. This led to a pseudo-standardization of optical amplifiers with three or four vendors making amplifiers with compatible optical, mechanical,electrical hardware, and software specification.

 

Optical amplifier is dominated by erbium-doped fiber amplifiers and the leading suppliers have been shipping amplifiers for 10 years or longer. These companies include Oclaro, JDS Uniphase, and Furukawa. Ovum estimates these companies enjoy more than 60% market share of the nearly 200 dollars merchant erbium-doped fiber amplifier market in 2008. Well fiber-mart’s In-line Amplifier is on hot sale.

 

There are another 25 companies fighting for the remaining revenues. Twenty-one of the remaining optical amplifier companies that still exist today started between 1997 and 2003. All the amplifier suppliers in low cost regions started between 1998 and 2003. And only two new amplifier suppliers have entered the market since 2003, Manlight and Titan Photonics. The Figure showed the optical amplifier for next WDM networks

 

Optical Amplifier: Present Status

 

After nearly five years of focus on cost reduction and reduces progress in innovation. New direction in optical amplifier technology are becoming visible. These are in response to the major trends for the amplified optical networks of higher degree of connectivity and introduction of channels at higher data rates. Agility in amplifiers will be key to the successful deployment of ROADM networks requiring seamless provisioning and recovery in the event of failures. Features such as fast gain control at sub millisecond timescale and rapid spectral adjustments to counter the impairments due to higher order effects (spectral hole during[SHB], Raman spectral tilt in fiber, and polarization dependent loss [PDL]) of components) will be needed on an integrated basis across the whole system. Likewise, continuous demand to increase the OSNR of the signals to support ever increasing channel rates to 100 Gb/s and beyond over ultra-long-haul distances will require every dB to be made available, for example by deployment of hybrid Raman/EDFAs at every repeater site in the network. Another trend is the deployment of high-power cladding pumped amplifiers with watts of output power in the access network for distribution of video and other content. From the commercial standpoint, however, since the industry has become addicted to 15% to 20% price reduction year to year, these new features will have to be delivered at negligible incremental cost.

 

Warm tips: fiber-mart is a professional fiber optics products supplier, includes different fiber optical amplifier, such as Booster Amplifier, CATV fiber amplifier, DWDM amplifier and EDFA amplifier, even Fibre Splitter, if there you need, welcome to visit our main website: www.fiber-mart.com

Hot to Transport and Aggregate for Optical Amplifiers

by www.fiber-mart.com

Network operators have the common basic target to produce cost-efficient telecommunication services. When considering operators from different nations including carriers operating worldwide, a variety of network architecture designs need to be considered. The suitable network design depends on the individual national properties with respect to the telecommunication services to be provided, such as the local population density distributions, the characteristic local residential consumer behavior, for example, the demand for voice telephony, internet protocol, or broadband TV, or the distribution and service level agreement (SLA) requirements of the business customers. The design of the network is governed by the topology. DWDM network for example, ring, star, mesh, by the purpose (access, aggregation, transport), by the mean and maximum link distance, and by the density and degree of switching or grooming nodes. All this has a direct impact on the choice of amplification in the optical multiplex section (OMS) of DWDM systems and on the local placement of DWDM optical amplifiers.

 

The diameter of networks is one of the most obvious distinctions. Nationwide networks in the United States follow engineering rules different from those applicable to the national backbones in European countries, especially when the design of amplifier maps and the positioning of photonic cross connect (PXC)/ROADM based nodes are considered. The largest diameters within all optical transport is achieved in submarine cable networks that deploy lumped amplifier span designs with very short distance between adjacent DWDM EDFA and eventually supported by additional distributed Raman amplification.

 

Besides the distance, many other parameters influence decisions for special network layouts, such as the local distribution of population and industry to be connected, the traffic patterns and capacity evolution, the telecommunication service kinds and classes, and much more. Also, the deployment choice of lumped inline amplifiers . distributed Raman amplification or hybrid schemes, gain equalizing devices, electrical or optical inline regenerators, and electrical grooming nodes or optically amplified multi degree ROADM nodes is strongly dependent on these multiple factors.

 

The research shows that some network options with consequences for optical amplifier applications will be described against the background of European national network. Here a variety of requirements force operators to select many different network architectures for different local domains with suitable primary foci to meet optimum transport efficiency and operational performance. The present trend is to consolidate different network domains into a converged platform to simplify the overall network management process.

 

European networks cover many scenarios of possible architectures, for ultra long-haul (ULH) pan-European backbone to national European backbone, metro, and access networks. The typical distance characteristics of link lengths between major backbone nodes for North America and pan-European networks, but the distance are significantly shorter. The backbone links of national networks of the different European states like Germany reference network. Here the mean fiber link distance between major between major cities and thus backbone nodes is about 400 km which could be still called “metro”. However, as for the next generation architecture it is intended to intensively apply optically transparent transmit nodes （ROADM/PXC）, future national networks will also demand systems with a longer reach. In the following sub-sections we will focus on typical modern intranational European network architectures.

 

Future converged telecommunication platforms will comprise access, aggregation, and transport networks. Their design rules depend on their primary purpose: either traffic aggregation or distribution from and to customers, or the transport and routing of large amounts of combined capacity.

Something About Fiber Optic Multiplexer

by www.fiber-mart.com

Fiber multiplexer is powerful communications equipment. They allow mixing of T1/E1, Ethernet, POTS ports (FXO or FXS) and serial datacom interfaces such as V.35, RS-232, X.21 etc. Together on a single circuit of fiber optic, so that fiber is saved and higher density and capacity networks can be put together. fiber-mart multiplexers are supported by industry leadership in fiber optic development, including optical sensors, telemetry systems, connector design, ruggedized optics, and the widest selection of Fiber Optic Rotary Joints (FORJs). All of these fiber optic multiplexers supports remote management and have optional service line ports. Capacity starts with 4T1 or E1 interfaces on low entry models and goes up to 63T1Ss or E1s together on a single strand of fiber optic cable.

 

Typical optical multiplexers are Video & Data & Audio Multiplexers, PDH Multiplexer. Custom solutions provide support for additional signal formats or unique combinations of standard protocols. Application specific products can be also customized to reduce size or cost, optimize packaging, extend environmental performance, and integrate more directly with other equipment.

 

Video Multiplexers

Video multiplexer is used to encodes the multi channel video signals and convert them to optical signals to transmit on optical fibers. It handles several video signals simultaneously and it can also provide simultaneous playback features. With the video multiplexer, you can record the combined signal on your VCR or wherever else you want to record.

 

Video & Data Multiplexers

fiber-mart video & data multiplexers provide high reliable fiber optic transmission of video and data signals in demanding environments. A wide range of supported video and data formats ensure the flexibility needed for easy system configuration. Individual data channels can be mixed and matched with a variety of plug-in interface modules. Advanced optical multiplexing (CWDM, DWDM) enables system expansion to 32 video and 256 data channels as well as additional high data rate signal such as HD-SDI, ECL for advanced sonars, and Gigabit Ethernet.

 

Video & Audio Multiplexers

Video and audio multiplexer combines digital video with digital audio from the embedded signals. It has optional remote monitoring capabilities so that operation can be monitored remotely. Video & Audio Multiplexer is widely used in security monitoring and control, high way, electronic police, automation, intelligent residential districts and so on.

 

Video & Data & Audio Multiplexers

Video/data/audio multiplexers are designed for users to convert, integrate, groom and multiple video/audio/data streams effortlessly. These multiplexers can transmit and extend a maximum of video, audio and data over fiber cables up to a few tens of kilometer. They are ideal for applications like Broadcast/Studio, CCTV audio and professional AV applications.

How to Selecte CWDM SFP Transceivers

by www.fiber-mart.com

As an extension of wavelength division multiplexing (WDM), coarse wavelength division multiplexing (CWDM) is a technology that multiplexes a number of optical carrier signals onto a single optical fiber through the use of different wavelengths (i.e., colors) of laser light. A CWDM SFP (Small Form-factor Pluggable) transceiver is a hot-swappable input/output device that plugs into an SFP port or slot of a switch or router, linking the port with the fiber-optic network. It is a  kind of optical-electric/electric-optical converter. With the transmitter on one end, the CWDM SFP transceiver takes in and converts the electrical signal into light, after the optical fiber transmission in the fiber cable plant, the receiver end again converts the light signal into electrical signal. The following figure shows the CWDM SFP transceiver in the CWDM system. In the figure, TX represents “transmit”, RX represents “receive”. Being a kind of compact optical transceiver, CWDM SFP transceiver is widely used in optical communications for both telecommunication and data communication. It is designed for operations in Metro Access Rings and Point-to-Point networks using Synchronous Optical Network (SONET), SDH (Synchronous Digital Hierarchy), Gigabit Ethernet and Fibre Channel networking equipment.

 

Three Components of CWDM SFP Transceivers

The CWDM SFP transceiver consists of an un-cooled CWDM Distributed Feed Back (DFB) laser transmitter, a PIN photodiode integrated with a Trans-impedance Preamplifier (TIA) and a Microprogrammed Control Unit (MCU). The DFB laser used in the CWDM SFP transceiver transmitter is a 18 CWDM DFB wavelengths laser. It is well suited for high capacity reverse traffic. Obeying the standard diode equation for low frequency signals, The PIN photodiode has a 80km transmission distance. And the MCU is a high-speed, executive, input-output (I/O) processor and interrupt handler for the NRL Signal Processing Element (SPE).

 

Advantages of CWDM SFP transceivers

Using existing fiber connections efficiently through the adoption of active wavelength multiplexing, CWDM SFP transceivers have improved the designs of telecommunications devices and other technologies. Here are some advantages of CWDM SFP transceivers:

 

Scalability and Flexibility—CWDM SFP transceivers can support multiple channels. It means that more channels can be activated as demand increases. CWDM SFP transceivers have a wide variety of network configurations that range from the meshed-ring configurations to the multi-channel point-to-point. In point-to-point configurations, the two endpoints will connect directly through a fiber link, allowing users to add or delete as many as eight channels at a time.

 

Low Risks in Investment—Most CDWM SFP transceivers have a low failure rate, which is less likely to be the reason why the user’s solution fails. It helps enterprises increase the bandwidth of the Gigabit Ethernet optical infrastructure without adding any additional fiber strands and can also be used in conjunction with other SFP devices on the same platform. Thus the user will be able to re-invest the capital saved by avoiding prematurely failed devices.

 

Selecting a Right CWDM SFP Transceiver

There are many kinds of CWDM SFP transceivers in the market. Their wavelengths are available from 1270 nm to 1610 nm, with each step 20 nm. Different CDWM SFP transceivers have different color codes, distances, date rates and laser operating wavelengths. For example, the CWDM-SFP-1470, which is colored gray, is one of Cisco CWDM SFP. It is a CWDM SFP transceiver that rates for distances up to 80 km and a maximum bandwidth of 1Gbps, operating at 1470nm wavelength. Customers may choose a CWDM SFP transceiver in accordance with their actual needs.

 

Applied to the access layer of Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), CWDM is a low-cost WDM transmission technology. fiber-mart.com provides the aforesaid CWDM-SFP-1470 and other types of CWDM SFP transceivers, which are convenient and cost-effective solution for the adoption of Gigabit Ethernet and Fibre Channel in campus, data center, and metropolitan-area access networks.

The Advantage of CWDM in Metropolitan Area Network

by www.fiber-mart.com

Because of the rapid development of data services, the speed of network convergence is accelerating, MAN is becoming a focus of network construction, market competition pressure makes the telecom operators more sensitive to the cost of network. Aimed at the demand of the market, low-cost MAN CWDM products arises at the moment.

 

With full spectrum CWDM league (FCA) vigorously promote of CWDM Technology and ITU-T for the standardization of CWDM, it makes CWDM technology equipment manufacturers and operators be the focus of attention. The ITU-T 15th team through CWDM wavelength grid of standard G.694.2, and become a milestone in the history of the development of CWDM technology. The 15th team also puts forward the definition of CWDM system interface right app draft standard. Shanghai bell and other companies in China in the standardization of CWDM technology also has made certain contribution, relevant domestic standards are also under discussion.

 

As the the growth of the market demand and the standardization of CWDM technology rapidly, many communication equipment manufacturers such as Nortel, Ciena, Huawei, alcatel Shanghai bell (asb), fire network developed related products and gain a wide range of applications in the market.

 

CWDM system is a low cost WDM transmission technology towards MAN access layer. In principle, CWDM is using optical multiplexer to different wavelengths of light to reuse the signals to single fiber optic transmission, at the link of the receiving end, with the aid of photolysis of multiplex fiber mixed signal is decomposed into different wavelength signal, connected to the corresponding receiving equipment. And the main difference with DWDM is that: compared with the 0.2nm to 1.2 nm wavelength spacing in DWDM system, CWDM Wavelength Spacing is wider, wavelength spacing of 20 nm industry accepted standards. Each wavelength of band cover the single-mode fiber system of O, E, S, C, L band and so on.

 

Because of CWDM system has wide wavelength spacing and low demand to technical parameters of laser. Since wavelength spacing up to 20 nm, the system maximum wavelength shift can reach -6.5℃~+6.5 ℃, the emission wavelength of laser precision can be up to +/- 3nm, and the working temperature range (-5℃~70℃), wavelength drift caused by temperature change is still in the allowable range, laser without temperature control mechanism, so the structure of the laser greatly simplified, yield improvement.

 

In addition, the larger wavelength spacing means recovery device/solution of multiplexer structure is greatly simplified. CWDM system, for example, the CWDM Filter layer coating layer can be reduced to 50, and DWDM system of 100 GHZ filter film coating layer number is about 150, resulting in increased yield, cost reduction, and the filter supplier has greatly increased competition. CWDM filter cost less than the cost of DWDM filter about more than 50%, and with the increase of automation production technology, it will be further reduction.

 

Still CWDM positioning the short distance transmission in metropolitan area network (within 80 km), and channel rate is generally not more than 2.5 Gbps, so there is no need for light amplification, dispersion, nonlinear and other considerations in the transmission lines, then you can make the system is simplified.

 

By means of some of these, by expanding wavelength spacing and simplifying equipment, the cost of optical channel made the CWDM system unit can be reduced to 1/2 or even 1/5 of the DWDM system, it has strong advantages in the metropolitan area network access layer.

 

fiber-mart.com is a quite professional store of providing optical fiber products, if you want to know more related products information, welcome to contact us.