Using Multi-duct for FTTH build out a cost-effective option!

by Fiber-MART.COM

Yates Engineering Services continues to review and assemble its knowledge base on Fiber to the Home deployments across the nation.  One of the newer trends that we have been studying and deploying is the use of multi-duct.  Multi-duct is simply when 2 or more small ducts are combined in a plastic over sheath.  Two popular versions of multi-duct are a four micro-duct and a seven micro-duct.  The micro duct itself comes in a number of sizes with a 10 mm to 13 mm inside diameter most frequently used.  Both of these sizes can be placed with the same 2” bore or trench that places a single, traditional 1 ¼” duct.  Dielectric micro-fiber is then used to populate one of the micro-ducts, leaving many spare paths.  The four-way is a new choice for long haul or trunk backbones, and the seven-way is a good choice for placement in denser areas, where the extra micro-duct can be used for drop paths along the road. 

 

When used in this way, fewer access points, or hand holes can be placed along the path.  When assigned to a premise, the multi-duct can be intercepted at a convenient place along the duct, and a coupler used to connect a drop duct that goes back to the customers Network Interface location to the mainline duct.  Then a micro drop is blown or rodded into the empty tube from the nearest access point, and no boring under driveways is required.  There is also no need to trespass in any yard except the yard of the customer that is being connected to the network.  The only inconvenience – that of having to dig up and intercept the multi-duct, is offset somewhat by the fact that the duct would likely need to be dug into a hand hole at depth in any case. 

 

When making a financial comparison of multi-duct to a more traditional deployment of one or two 1 ¼ ducts with access points placed on every other lot line, or conduit placed to feed drops across the street though a road bore, the price of running multi duct on both sides of the road is actually at par or less than the traditional layout.  Multi-duct is becoming a more popular selection and offers a good deal of flexibility in an area where boring future drops may not be an option.  Feel free to call or email Yates Engineering Services to determine if multi duct is a great option for your fiber deployment!

A NEW, FASTER TRANSPACIFIC FIBER OPTIC CABLE GOES ONLINE

Thanks to a joint partnership between Google and a number of telecom companies in East Asia, the fastest transpacific broadband cable in the world is now online. Aptly named FASTER, the cable stretches 5,600 miles from Oregon to two points in Japan. The cable is expected to offer transfer speeds as fast as 60 terabits per second – about ten million times faster than an average cable modem. Google has reserved exclusive access to a pair of optical transmission strands that are expected to provide the company with transfer speeds up to 10 terabits per second.

 

With FASTER complete, Google now owns a total of four undersea cables that cross the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. With the global demand for bandwidth continuing to increase, we’re likely to see more private enterprises investing in their own undersea cables in the future as well.Google’s interest in the FASTER project was twofold. To begin with, it will allow the company to expand its new Google Cloud Platform in the East Asia region from its new facility in Tokyo. Needless to say, Google’s cloud service will require a great deal of bandwidth to maintain. The second reason Google chose to invest in the project was to establish a redundant connection in the seismically-active region of the Pacific. This way, if an earthquake knocks out one undersea cable, North America can retain an internet connection with Japan and the rest of the East Asia region. According to a blog post from Google, “The cable utilizes Japanese landing facilities strategically located outside of tsunami zones to help prevent network outages when the region is facing the greatest need.”

 

With FASTER complete, Google now owns a total of four undersea cables that cross the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. With the global demand for bandwidth continuing to increase, we’re likely to see more private enterprises investing in their own undersea cables in the future as well.

PON Splitters And Passive Optical Network

Passive Optical Network (PON), comprises a family of Physical Layer (Layer 1) access technologies based on the specifications developed by the Full-Service Access Network(FSAN) initiative for an ATM-based Passive Optical Network scheme produced by an international consortium of vendors and ratified by the ITU-T within the G.983.1 standard (October 1998). A PON is a fiber-optic local loop network without active electronics, such as repeaters, which can be both costly and troublesome. Rather, a PON uses inexpensive passive optical splitter and fiber coupler to deliver signals form the network edge to multiple customer premises. The PON splitters are placed at each fiber junction, or connection, throughout the network, providing a tremendous fan-out of fiber to a large number of end points. By eliminating the reliance on expensive active network elements and the ongoing powering and maintenance expenses associated with them, carriers can realize significant cost savings. PON technology usually used in the local loop to connect customer premises to an all-fiber network.

In fact, an efficient and reliable optical network (PON), depends on appropriate testing and measurement. During the construction phase, proper testing is the only way to guarantee that all the required transmission specifications are met, the network is ready for actual traffic, and subscribers are supplied with the expected service quality. During initial commissioning and subscriber activation, testing and diagnosis can ensure that the whole system operates within the acceptable specifications. When the network is activated and operation begins, the quality of service (QoS) must be tested and monitored to meet up with service-level agreements with subscribers. When problems are detected and diagnosed (e.g. Low signal or no signal), troubleshooting networks help to minimize network downtime, rapidly restore failed services, and efficiently manage network performance.

A PON is a point-to-multipoint, fiber-to-the-premises network architecture in which unpowered optical splitters (either splitting in optical power or wavelength) are used to enable a single optical fiber to serve multiple premises. Figure 1 shows the generic PON architecture. A PON does not use any active electronic components (devices consuming power), form the central office (CO) to the consumers’ premises. The network carries a single strand of fiber, which undergoes multiple splits to serve many consumer installations. This splitting is achieved by way of passive splitters. To the side of the local exchange there is an optical line termination (OLT), on the user side there is an optical network optical fibers and one or more splitters (in cascade), a number of ONUs are connected to an OLT in a tree topology. An ONU can be combined with a network termination unit(NT). This produces an optical network termination (ONT). The OLT has the interfaces with the backbone network that supply the services to the users. Hence a PON’s passive part consists of splitters and fibers located within the field. Reasonably complex active components are needed in the local exchange (the OLT) and on the side of users (the ONU/ONTs).

Unlike the point-to-point terrestrial and undersea amplified wavelength-division-nultiplexed (optical amplifier) fiber systems, the point-to-multipoint nature of PON has made the optical diagnosis, performance monitoring, and characterization a challenge. The key tests performed during a PON’s construction include total link loss measurement (optical power budget), optical return loss (ORL) measurement–especially when cable TV (CATV) services are provided, link characterization using an optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR). During a PON’s opteration, network operators need to detect signal presence, measure them,and verify that they are within acceptable power ranges. Thorough performance assessment, accurate bit-error-rate (BER) measurement can help to define competitive, customer-retaining service-level agreements, and, most importantly, to make sure and sustain them.

Armored Fiber Optic Patch Cords

Armored fiber optic patch cord can be used for rodent protection in direct burial if required. This cable is non-gel filled and can also be used in aerial applications. The armor can be removed leaving the inner cable suitable for any indoor/outdoor use. Additional configurations available. Temperature range -40°C to +85°C.

 

we produce armored fiber optic patch cable and armored fiber optic patch cord, single mode,multi mode,SC,FC,ST,LC,MU,MTRJ,UPC,APC,simplex,duplex,9/125,50/125,62.5/125

armored fiber optic patch cables are used in harsh environment; they are designed with special structure to give extra protection to the cable. We have armored fiber optic patch cables for both indoor and outdoor applications. For outdoor armored fiber patch cables, please refer to the waterproof fiber cables, in this passage we are talking about armored fiber optic cables used for indoor applications.

These armored fiber optic patch cords are same diameter with commonly seen 2mm O.D or 3mm O.D cables, and their optical performance is also same as the common fiber patch cables. The difference is armored fiber cables are with stainless steel armor inside the cable jacket and outside the optical fiber, this stainless steel armour are strong enough to make the cables anti-rodent and the whole cable can resist the steps by an adult people.

 

Armored fiber optic patch cord is also single mode and multimode types, the connectors optional including commonly used LC, SC, ST, FC, E2000, MU, SMA, etc. cable structure can be simplex, duplex or multi-fiber types. These armored fiber cables can be with custom made colors and cable length, they are manufactured according to industrial and international standards.

 

Fiber-mart.com armored fibre optic patch cables are designed for being used in harsh environment ,in which the traditional standard fiber optic patch cable can not fit and can not get good performance. The armored fiber optic patch cable is made with special strong connectors and armored fiber optic cables, it can protect the cable from damage caused by twist ,pressure or rodent bite. Installation procedure and maintenance is also easy. They are ideal choice for people who is looking for fiber optic patch cords with addtional durability and protection as well as light weight.

 

Armored fiber optic patch cord Features:

Steel tape armored inside outer jacket

Resist damage by improper twist

Resistance of pressure and rodent bite

Different fiber optic connector types optional

Low insertion loss

Custom cable lengths optional

Guideline for Copper Cabling Installation

Copper cabling has been in use since electricity was invented and its quality has continued to improve. Network managers pick copper cabling for various reasons. For instance, copper cables, especially UTP cables, are as inexpensive as optical fibers and easy to install. Moreover, the installation methods are well understood, and the components (patch panels, wall-plate outlets, connecting blocks, etc.) are inexpensive. This article will provide guidelines for copper cabling installation.

 

One of the most important elements to plan and deploy a telecommunication infrastructure is to make sure you are following the ANSI/TIA-568-C standard. This standard will ensure that your cabling system is interoperable with any networking or voice applications that have been designed to work with that standard.

ANSI/TIA-568-C standard defines the maximum distance that a horizontal cable should traverse. The tips relating to distance and the installation of copper cabling include following:

 

Never exceed the 90-meter maximum distance for horizontal cables.

Horizontal cable rarely goes in a straight line from the patch panel to the wall plate. Don’t forget to account for the fact that horizontal cable may be routed up through walls, around corners, and through conduit.

 

Account for any additional cable distance that may be required as a result of trays, hooks, and cable management.

Leave some slack in the ceiling above the wiring rack in case re-termination is required or the patch panel must be moved. Some professional cable installers leave the extra cable loop in the ceiling bundled together or looped around a hook, shown as below.

 

Wiring Patterns

The ANSI/TIA-568-C standard introduces two wiring patterns for modular jacks and plugs: T568-A and T568-B. The only difference between these wiring patterns is that pin assignments for pairs 2 and 3 are reversed. The wiring pattern chosen makes no difference to the applications used. They both work the same way. The most important factor is to choose one wiring configuration and stick with it. If you use T568-A at one end, you must use it at the other; likewise with T568-B.

 

The cable pairs are assigned to specific pin numbers. The pins are numbered from left to right if you are looking into the modular jack outlet or down on the top of the modular plug. The following picture shows the pin numbers for the eight-position modular jack (RJ-45) and plug.

 

 

Considerations Before Installing

When planning a cabling infrastructure that includes copper cabling, ask yourself some questions before taking action. For example, how many cables should be run to each location? Should you use cable trays, J hooks, or conduit where the cable is in the ceiling space? Or is there a danger of cable damage from water, rodents, or chemicals? Consider any area that cable may be run through and take into account what you may need to do to protect the cable.

 

Good cable management starts with the design of the cabling infrastructure. When installing horizontal cable, consider using cable trays or J hooks in the ceiling to run the cable. They will prevent the cable from resting on ceiling tiles, power conduits, or air-conditioning ducts. Furthermore, make sure that you plan to purchase and install cable management guides and equipment near patch panels and on racks so that when patch cables are installed, cable management will be available.

 

Installing Copper Cables

When you start installing copper cabling, much can go wrong. Even if you have adequately planned your installation, situations can still arise that will cause you problems either immediately or in the long term. Here are some tips to keep in mind for installing copper cabling.

 

Do not untwist the twisted pairs at the cable connector or anywhere along the cable length any more than necessary.

Bridged taps are not allowed.

 

Use connectors, patch panels, and wall plates that are compatible with the cable.

 

Never splice a data cable if it has a problem at some point through its length; run a new cable instead.

When terminating, remove as little of the cable’s jacket as possible, preferably less than three inches. When finally terminated, the jacket should be as close as possible to where the conductors are punched down.

 

Don’t lay data cables directly across ceiling tiles or grids. Use a cable tray, J hook, horizontal ladder, or other method to support the cables. Avoid any sort of cable-suspension device that appears as if it will crush the cables.

 

If you have a cable with damaged pairs, replace it. Don’t use another unused pair from the same cable because other pairs may be damaged to the point where they only cause intermittent problems, which are difficult to solve. Substituting pairs also prevents any future upgrades that require the use of all four pairs in the cable.

 

Besides the tips above, you should also separate voice and data patch panels. Some installations of voice and data cabling will terminate the cabling on the same patch panel. Although this is not entirely frowned upon by cabling professionals, many will tell you that it is more desirable to have a separate patch panel dedicated to voice applications. This is essential if you use a different category of cable for voice than for data (such as if you use Category 5e cable for data but Category 3 cable for voice).

patch panel

 

Take the picture above as an example, the wall plate has two eight-position modular outlets (one for voice and one for data). The outlets are labeled V1 for voice and D1 for data. In the telecommunications closet, these two cables terminate on different patch panels, but each cable goes to position 1 on the patch panel. This makes the cabling installation much easier to document and to understand.

 

Copper cabling installation is not as easy as thought. You should follow the ANSI/TIA-568-C standard to confirm the cable distance and wiring patterns. And before installation, you’d better ask yourself some questions that you may meet during cable installing. Moreover, take the tips mentioned above when you begin to install copper cables. Hope the information mentioned in this article would be useful for you when needed.

Typical Outdoor Fiber Optic Cables

Fiber optic cable provides protection for the fibers from the environment encountered in an installation. Outdoor Fiber Cable is designed strong to protect the fibers to operate safely in complicated outdoor environment, it can be buried directly, pulled in conduit, strung aerially or even placed underwater. While indoor cables don’t have to be that strong.

 

Outdoor fiber optic cable is composed of many fibers enclosed in protective coverings and strength members. Common features for fiber optic cable include polarization maintaining, graded index, and metalization. Most outdoor fiber cables are loose buffer design, with the strengthen member in the middle of the whole cable, the loose tubes surround the central strength member. Inside the loose tube there is waterproof gel filled, whole cable materials used and gels inside cable between the different components will help make the whole cable resist of water.

Typical outdoor fiber optic cable types are used for aerial, direct buried and duct applications.

 

Loose Tube Cables

 

Loose Tube cables are the most widely used cables for outside plant trunks, as it can be made with the loose tubes filled with gel or water absorbent powder to prevent harm to the fibers from water. Loose Tube Fiber Optic cables are composed of several fibers together inside a small plastic tube, which are in turn wound around a central strength member and jacketed, providing a small, high fiber count cable. They can be installed in ducts, direct buried and aerial/lashed installations for trunk and fiber to the premise applications. Loose tube cables with singlemode fibers are generally terminated by spicing pigtails onto the fibers and protecting them in a splice closure. Multimode loose tube cables can be terminated directly by installing a breakout kit, also called a furcation or fan-out kit, which sleeves each fiber for protection.

 

Ribbon Cable

 

Ribbon cable is preferred where high fiber counts and small diameter cables are needed. This cable has the highest packing density, since all the fibers are laid out in rows in ribbons, typically of 12 fibers, and the ribbons are laid on top of each other. Not only is this the smallest cable for the most number of fibers, it’s usually the lowest cost. Typically 144 fibers in ribbons only has a cross section of about 1/4 inch or 6 mm and the jacket is only 13 mm or 1/2 inch diameter! Some cable designs use a “slotted core” with up to 6 of these 144 fiber ribbon assemblies for 864 fibers in one cable! Since it’s outside plant cable, it’s gel-filled for water blocking or dry water-blocked. These cables are common in LAN backbones and data centers.

 

Armored Fiber Optic Cable

 

Armored cable is used in direct buried outside plant applications where a rugged cable is needed and/or for rodent resistance. Armored cable withstands crush loads well, for example in rocky soil, often necessary for direct burial applications. Cable installed by direct burial in areas where rodents are a problem usually have metal armoring between two jackets to prevent rodent penetration. Another application for armored fiber optic cable is in data centers, where cables are installed under the floor and one worries about the fiber cable being crushed. This means the cable is conductive, so it must be grounded properly.

 

Aerial Fiber Optic Cable

 

Aerial cables are for outside installation on poles. They can be lashed to a messenger or another cable (common in CATV) or have metal or aramid strength members to make them self supporting. A widely used Aerial Cable is optical power ground wire (OPGW) which is a high voltage distribution cable with fiber in the center. The fiber is not affected by the electrical fields and the utility installing it gets fibers for grid management and communications. This cable is usually installed on the top of high voltage towers but brought to ground level for splicing or termination.

 

Indoor/Outdoor Cables

 

Fiber Optic Indoor/Outdoor Cables are designed to meet both the stringent environmental requirements typical of outside plant cable AND the flammability requirements of premise applications. Ideal for applications that span indoor and outdoor environments. By eliminating the need for outside to inside cross-connection, the entire system reliability is improved and with lower overall installation costs.

 

Underwater and Submarine Cables

 

It is often necessary to install fibers under water, such as crossing a river or lake where a bridge other above water location is not possible. For simple applications a rugged direct burial cable may be adequate. For true undersea applications, cables are extremely rugged, with fibers in the middle of the cable inside stainless steel tubes and the outside coated with many layers of steel strength members and conductors for powering repeaters. Submarine cables are completed on shore, then loaded on ships and laid from the ship, often while operational to ensure proper operation.

 

fiber-mart.com offers a comprehensive range of multimode fiber cable and single-mode fiber optic cables. Indoor, outdoor, armoured, tight buffered or loose tube structures, which cover all possible applications.

What You Need To Know About HDMI Cables: The Basics

High-speed HDMI cables can come in a variety of lengths, there’s even a 100 ft HDMI cable out there, and a variety of other options to choose from. They have numerous benefits and the ability to get video resolutions from 480i (standard) all the way to 4k.

 

There are even HDMI to DVI cables for your computer and other devices, giving you the ability to use High-speed HDMI cables on your monitors and dramatically increase your home or office visual experience.

But how do you find the right cable?

 

Buying the right highspeed HDMI cable isn’t overly complicated or difficult. If it’s from a reputable vendor and the right length for your needs, then it should work just fine. You don’t need to spend a fortune on the cables either, which is why purchasing them from quality suppliers is always a good idea.

 

HDMI is an audio-video cable that can send the best image quality and the best sound quality over a single cable. Typically, there are four different types of HDMI cables used today. There is the standard, the standard with ethernet, high-speed, and high-speed with ethernet.

 

Standard cables are good for 720p and 1080i signals and devices, with the ability to handle 1080p in some cases, though not always. For 3D devices, you want an HDMI high-speed with Ethernet cable, as you’ll get the best performance. The HDMI cables with ethernet capabilities allow for data transmissions, and they’re often a good choice for offices and other professional settings.

 

Another great benefit of these cables? You don’t have to worry about different numbered versions of HDMI. To be honest we are not even permitted to mention the version numbers! 3D video, for instance, requires HDMI High-speed with Ethernet, and that might cause an issue with a receiver if you’re daisy-chaining between the 3D capable player and a 3D HDTV. But it won’t be an issue with the cables that you use to do it. It’ll be an issue with the hardware itself.

Brand names are, mostly, unimportant as well, though you should always pick a manufacturer that you can trust. A generic HDMI can be just as good as a more recognized brand, which is a bit unusual in the technology world.

 

If you have questions involving HDMI cables and which one is best for your needs, contact us via the three methods in the blue bar at the top of the page. We’ve got a large amount in stock and can help you pick the right one.

Fiber Optic Cable are usually used in two scenarios

Fiber Optic Cable are used in applications where the optical signal is too strong and needs to be reduced. For example, in a multi-wavelength fiber optic system, you need to equalize the optical channel strength so that all the channels have similar power levels. This means to reduce stronger channels’ powers to match lower power channels.

The attenuation level is fixed at 5 dB, which means it reduces the optical power by 5dB. This attenuator has a short piece of fiber with metal ion doping that provides the specified attenuation.

There are many different mechanisms to reduce the optical power, this picture shows another mechanism used in one type of variable attenuator. Here variable means the attenuation level can be adjusted, for example, it could be from 1 dB up to 20dB.

Fiber Optic Cable are usually used in two scenarios.

The first case is in fiber optic power level testing. Cable are used to temporarily add a calibrated amount of signal loss in order to test the power level margins in a fiber optic communication system.

In the second case, Cable are permanently installed in a fiber optic communication link to properly match transmitter and receiver optical signal levels.

Optical Cable are typically classified as fixed or variable Cable.

Fixed Cable have a fixed optical power reduction number, such as 1dB, 5dB, 10dB, etc.

Variable Cable’ attenuation level can be adjusted, such as from 0.5 dB to 20dB, or even 50dB. Some variable Cable have very fine resolution, such as 0.1dB, or even 0.01dB.

This slide shows many different optical attenuator designs.

The female to female fixed Cable work like a regular adapter. But instead of minimizing insertion loss, it purposely adds some attenuation.

The female to female variable Cable are adjustable by turning a nut in the middle. The nut adjusts the air gap in the middle to achieve different attenuation levels.

The male to female fixed Cable work as fiber connectors, you can just plug in your existing fiber connector to its female side.

The in-line patch cable type variable Cable work as regular patch cables, but your can adjust its attenuation level by turning the screw.

For precise testing purposes, engineers have also designed instrument type variable Cable. These instrument type Cable have high attenuation ranges, such as from 0.5 dB to 70dB. They also have very fine resolution, such as 0.01dB. This is critical for accurate testing.

Cisco CWDM XFP Transceiver

Cisco CWDM XFP Transceiver

by Fiber-MART.COM

OVERVIEW

The Cisco ® Coarse Wavelength-Division Multiplexing (CWDM) Gigabit Interface Converter (GBIC)/Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP) solution allows enterprise companies and service providers to provide scalable and easy-to-deploy Gigabit Ethernet and Fibre Channel services in their networks. The product set helps enable the flexible design of highly available, multiservice networks.

The Cisco CWDM GBIC/SFP solution is a convenient and cost-effective solution for the adoption of Gigabit Ethernet and Fibre Channel in campus, data-center, and metropolitan-area access networks.

The Cisco CWDM GBIC/SFP solution has two main components (Figure 1): a set of eight different pluggable transceivers (Cisco CWDM GBICs and Cisco CWDM SFPs), and a set of different Cisco CWDM passive multiplexer/demultiplexer or optical add/drop multiplexers (OADMs). A Cisco CWDM chassis enables rack-mounting up to two of the Cisco CWDM passives. Both the transceivers and the passive multiplexers are compliant with the ITU-T G.694.2 standard defined CWDM grid.

KEY FEATURES AND BENEFITS

Scalability

The Cisco CWDM GBIC/SFP solution helps enable the transport of up to eight channels (Gigabit Ethernet or Fibre Channel) over single-mode fiber strands.

Easy Deployment and Flexible Implementation

The Cisco CWDM GBIC (and Cisco CWDM SFP) fits into a standard GBIC (and SFP) port supporting the IEEE 802.3z standard on the supported Cisco Systems ® platforms. The Cisco CWDM OADM is passive and requires no power. Neither the Cisco CWDM GBIC (nor Cisco CWDM SFP) nor the Cisco CWDM passives requires configuration.

The Cisco CWDM GBIC/SFP solution allows for a variety of network configurations-from multichannel point-to-point to hub and meshed-ring configurations.

High Availability

The Cisco CWDM GBIC/SFP solution takes advantage of a multichannel architecture and the inherent protection of ring architectures. The solution helps enable:

• Use of Layer 2 and Layer 3 redundancy and failover mechanisms at the channel endpoints (Cisco CWDM GBIC/SFP) to build highly available links

• Use of two-path link configurations in a ring architecture to provide protection from fiber cuts

Investment Protection

The Cisco CWDM GBIC/SFP solution helps enable enterprises and service providers to increase the bandwidth of an existing Gigabit Ethernet optical infrastructure without adding new fiber strands. The solution can be used in parallel with other Cisco GBIC and SFP devices on the same platform.

DEPLOYMENT SCENARIOS

Point-to-Point Configuration

In a point-to-point configuration, two endpoints are directly connected through a fiber link. The Cisco CWDM GBIC/SFP solution helps enable customers to add or drop as many as eight channels (Gigabit Ethernet or Fibre Channel) into a pair of single-mode fiber strands. As a result, the need for additional fiber is minimized. Redundant point-to-point links are possible by adding or dropping redundant channels into a second pair of single-mode fiber strands.

A single fiber point-to-point configuration also is possible (Figure 3). By using different wavelengths to transmit and receive signals, as many as four channels can be transported over a single fiber strand.

The main applications for the architecture are enterprise campus links and service provider point-of-presence (POP) or hub interconnects across a metropolitan (metro) area.

Hub-and-Spoke (Ring) Configuration

In a hub-and-spoke configuration (Figure 4), multiple nodes (spokes) are connected with a hub location through a ring of single-mode fiber. Each hub-node connection can consist of a single or multiple channels. Protection from fiber cuts in the ring is achieved by connecting the hub and nodes through both directions of the optical ring. Service provider metro access rings are the main applications for this architecture.

Cisco CWDM SFPs

A Cisco CWDM SFP  is a hot-swappable input/output device that plugs into an SFP port or slot of a Cisco switch or router, linking the port with the fiber-optic network.

The Cisco CWDM SFPs are multirate parts that support both Gigabit Ethernet and Fibre Channel (1 gigabit and 2 gigabit).

Introduction à la fibre optique

Introduction à la fibre optique

by Fiber-MART.COM

Une fibre optique est un fil en verre ou en plastique très fin qui a la propriété d’être un conducteur de lumière et sert dans la transmission de données par la lumière. Elle offre un débit d’information nettement supérieur à celui des câbles coaxiaux et peut servir de support à un réseau « large bande » par lequel transitent aussi bien la télévision, le téléphone, la visioconférence ou les données informatiques. Le principe de la fibre optique a été développé au cours des années 1970 dans les laboratoires de l’entreprise américaine Corning Glass Works (actuelle Corning Incorporated).

Entourée d’une gaine protectrice, la fibre optique peut être utilisée pour conduire de la lumière entre deux lieux distants de plusieurs centaines, voire milliers, de kilomètres. Le signal lumineux codé par une variation d’intensité est capable de transmettre une grande quantité d’information. En permettant les communications à très longue distance et à des débits jusqu’alors impossibles, les fibres optiques ont constitué l’un des éléments clés de la révolution des télécommunications. Ses propriétés sont également exploitées dans le domaine des capteurs (température, pression, etc.), dans l’imagerie et dans l’éclairage.

Fibre Optique Monomode

Dans une fibre monomode, on obtient un seul mode grâce à la très faible dimension du coeur (diamètre de 10um et moins). Ainsi le chemin de la lumière est imposé, il n’y en a qu’un seul : celui du cœur.

C’est grâce à la fibre monomode qu’il est possible d’atteindre des taux d’atténuation très faibles sur de longues distances. En effet, par une propagation en ligne droite, il n’y a pas d’atténuation due à la réfraction du signal sur la gaine optique (problématique dans le cas d’une fibre multimode). De plus, il n’y a pas de phénomène de dispersion modale (étalement du spectre dû aux différents modes).

Les fibres monomodes sont le plus souvent en association avec des lasers dont la fenêtre centrale est située à 1310 nm et 1550 nm.

Fibre Optique Multimode

Les fibres multimodes (dites MMF, pour Multi Mode Fiber), ont été les premières sur le marché. Elles permettent de transporter plusieurs modes, ie que la lumière peut emprunter de nombreux chemins différents.

Néanmoins, du fait de la dispersion modale, on constate un étalement temporel du signal proportionnel à la longueur de la fibre. En conséquence, elles sont utilisées uniquement sur de courtes distances.

Une fibre multimode est généralement caractérisée par un cœur de fibre variant de 50 à 62,5um. Cependant, ce diamètre peut varier en fonction des constructeurs.

Dans une Fibre Optique multimode, ce sont les fenêtres spectrales de longueurs d’onde 850nm et 1300nm qui sont utilisées.

Differences Between SFP, BiDi SFP and Compact SFP

Differences Between SFP, BiDi SFP and Compact SFP

by Fiber-MART.COM

As we know, a common SFP transceiver is generally with two ports, one is TX port which is used to transmit the signal, and the other one is RX port which is used to receive signals. Unlike common SFP transceiver, BiDi SFP transceiver is only with one port which uses an integral WDM coupler to transmit and receive signals over a single strand fiber. In fact, the compact SFP is a 2-channel BiDi SFP, which integrates two BiDi SFP in one SFP module. Therefore, a compact SFP is also with two ports as the common SFP.

SFP, BiDi SFP and Compact SFP Connection Methods

 

All SFP transceivers must be used in pairs. For common SFPs, we should connect the two SFPs which have the same wavelength together. For example, we use a 850nm SFP at one end, then we must use a 850nm SFP on the other end (shown in the figure below).

 

For BiDi SFP, since it transmits and receives signals with different wavelengths, we should connect the two BiDi SFPs which have the opposite wavelength together. For example, we use a 1310nm-TX/1490nm-RX BiDi SFP at one end, then we must use a 1490nm-TX/1310nm-RX BiDi SFP on the other end (shown in the figure below).

 

The compact SFP (GLC-2BX-D) usually uses 1490nm to transmit signal and the 1310nm to receive signal. Therefore, the compact SFP is always connected to two 1310nm-TX/1490nm-RX BiDi SFP over two single-mode fibers (shown in the figure below).

 

BiDi SFP and Compact SFP Applications

 

At present, the BiDi SFP is mostly used in FTTx deployment P2P (point-to-point) connection. A FTTH/FTTB active Ethernet network consists of a central office (CO) connecting to the customer premises equipment (CPE). Active Ethernet networks use a P2P architecture in which each end customer is connected to the CO on a dedicated fiber. BiDi SFP allows a bi-directional communication on a single fiber by using wavelength multiplexing (WDM), which makes CO and CPE connection more simple. Compact SFP enormously increases CO port density by combining two single fiber transceivers into one SFP form factor. In addition, the compact SFP will significantly reduce the overall power consumption at the CO side.

 

fiber-mart.com BiDi and Compact SFP Sloutions

fiber-mart.com provides a variety of BiDi SFPs. They can support different data rate and support transmission distance up to max 120 km that can meet the demands of today’s fiber services for carriers and enterprises.

Why Choose Direct Attach Cable in 40G/100G Migration?

by Fiber-MART.COM

Why Choose Direct Attach Cable in 40G/100G Migration?

What Is Direct Attach Cable

A direct attach cable also known as DAC is usually a fixed assembly supporting high speed data that uses a small form-factor connector module as an optical transceiver on each end of a length of cable. With significant cost-saving and power-saving benefits, direct attach cable is now being widely used in data centers for short reach applications. It can be connected to switches, servers, routers, network work interface cards (NICs), Host Bus adapters (HBAs) providing high density and high data throughput.

Why Choose Direct Attach Cable

Direct attach cable with many significant benefits can satisfy the growing need for high speed data. The main benefits of direct attached cable are described in the following text.

 

Cost saving: the modules on the end of direct attach cable looks like optical transceivers. However, actually they very much different from optical transceiver. These small form-factor connector modules leave out the expensive optical lasers and some electronic components. That’s the main reason why the DAC is much cheaper than optical transceiver. Direct attach cable in some case can be an alternative to optical transceivers as it eliminates the separable interface between transceiver module and optical cable. Thus, choosing DAC in some cases can save a lot of money as well as time.

 

Low power consumption: to identify the modules on the end and cable type to the Ethernet interface, in both active direct attach cable and passive direct attach cable a small electrical component is used, which is low cost and consumes very little power compared with optical transceiver.

 

Supporting high data rate: DAC can provide high speed I/O (input and output) data. The most commonly used DAC can support high data rate of 10 Gb/s and 40 Gb/s. However, as technologies advanced, some vendor can provide direct attached cable supporting 120 Gb/s, like 120G CXP Cables.

 

Meet small form-factor standards: the modules on each end of DAC meet small form-factor standards which means DAC inherits some advantages of the small form-factor module, like space saving. Some time there is no need to upgrade the equipment by using a DAC.

 

Advance technologies like Big Data and Cloud which require high speed of data rate become more and more popular. To meet the ever growing need to high speed data transmission, many data centers are migrating from 10 GbE to 40 GbE or even 100 GbE. And some are considering about the migration, during which the cost is one of the most important factors to consider. Direct attach cable also known as DAC is a cost effective solution during the migration to 40GbE or 100GbE.

 

 

40GBASE QSFP+ Direct Attach Cable

 

With various benefits like abilities in data transmission and cost saving, direct attach cable is becoming increasingly popular for short distance top-of-rack (ToR) and middle-of row (MoR) data center deployments. It’s a cost-effective solution to 40G/100G migration. Currently direct attach cable are continuing to evolve to meet industry needs. Various types of directive attach cable are being provided. Fiberstore as a vendor of optical components provides DAC cable assemblies including 10G SFP+ Cables, 40G QSFP+ Cables, and 120G CXP Cables. For information please visit Fiberstore.

100G QSFP28 Active Optical Cable from fiber-mart.com

100G QSFP28 Active Optical Cable from fiber-mart.com

by Fiber-MART.COM

100G QSFP28 Active Optical Cable (1-meter, QSFP28 to QSFP28)

Product Details

Part Number	QSFP28-100G-AOC	Vendor Name	Fiber-MART
Connector Type	QSFP28 to QSFP28	Max Data Rate	100Gbps
Cable Type	Active Optical Cable	Cable Length	1m(3.28ft)
Jacket Material	PVC(OFNR)	Temperature	0 to 70°C (32 to 158°F)
HTS-Harmonized Code	8544700000

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Quality Certification

Quality and standards are the foundation of Fiber-MART. We are dedicated to providing customers with outstanding, standards-compliant products and services. Fiber-MART has passed many quality system verifications, like CE, RoHS, FCC, established an internationally standardized quality assurance system and strictly implemented standardized management and control in the course of design, development, production, installation and service.
 

Please Note: Installing a third party transceiver does not void your network equipment warranty. Network equipment manufacturers all have guidelines stating that warranty support on their products will not be affected.

 

Lifetime Warranty

All the fiber optic products in Fiber-MART are fully warranted against defects in material and workmanship with a lifetime guarantee. This warranty does not cover damage caused by accident, improper care, improper use, negligence, normal wear and tear, or the natural breakdown of colors and materials over extended time and use.

 

100G QSFP28 Active Optical Cable is free of load, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls and phthalates. Please contact us to learn more.

 

Quality Control System:
Our Test Assured ProgramTake a look at our optics test program and see what truly sets us apart.

Packaging & Labeling

This easy to handle and well-protected transceiver package has been labelled and marked to default Fiber-MART standards. Customized label or package solutions are available on request.

OEM & Customs

Partnering with a variety of world class OEM manufacturers for over 8 years, Fiber-MART is able to provide customized high-quality and cost-effective solutions for all needs and specifications, including optical design, mechanical design, Printed Circuit Board (PCB) layout and electrical design, software & firmware design, integrated assembly, specific labels, etc. With surging sales and favorable customer feedback, Fiber-MART has been expanding rapidly across the world and is becoming the leading provider of the optical communication industry. If you are interested in our products, please feel free to contact us at sales@fiber-mart.com .

 

Shipment

Fiber-MART can ship via FedEx, DHL, UPS, TNT, EMS or a customer-arranged carrier. Items are often shipped the same day (some transceivers can be out the door in 20 minutes). If we have no stock in any of our global warehouses, the shipment will be delayed for 1-2 days. DHL will take 2-4 business days for delivery and FedEx only needs 1-3 business days. For Spain, Italy, Brazil and certain other countries, items will take longer to arrive due to the customs clearance period.