BOON OF USING FIBER OPTIC CABLES OVER COPPER CABLES

by www.fiber-mart.com

Everyone knows that approx.. an year ago we use copper cables while using the internet connection of any brand. The service providers come up with copper cable to install the internet connection and provide the required service to them. But at present time, fiber optic cable is in demand. The users are quite happy with its performance as it rarely gets out of connection. On the other hand, it also gives a good speed to the user in comparison to the copper cables. Let’s discuss some other best advantages of fiber optic cable over the copper cables.

 

Greater BandwidthThe 

 

copper cable has the capacity to handle greater bandwidth as originally it was designed for voice transmission and have a limited bandwidth. So, now it is used as a greater bandwidth device. It carries more data than copper cables at the same diameter. Within the fiber cable group, only single mode fiber can delivers up to twice the multimode fiber. So, users are fine with what they are availing.

 

Faster SpeedsThe 

 

fiber cables carry light to transmit data. This enables the cable to carry diverse signals at speeds that are slower than the speed of light which is faster than cat5 and cat6 copper cables. Therefore the speed this cable is higher than the copper cable.

 

Longer Distances

 

When it comes to long distance, this cable never disappoints as cables generally works on the basis of wavelength, network, distance and it performs well in each of these areas. It carries signals much faster than the traditional foot limitations upto 328ft. It carries data upto 25 miles.

 

Better ReliabilityBe 

 

it any weather, fiber cable is immune to temperature changes. Weather doesn’t hamper the connectivity of this cable as like other traditional cables. And it does not even carry electric current so user must be stressed free with electromagnetic interference (EMI) that can interrupt data transmission.

 

Thinner and Sturdier

 

In comparison to any other cable, this cable is thinner, sturdier and light in weight. It is less prone to damage and breakage.

 

More Flexibility for the Future

 

According to the demand and usage, the media converters enable the user to incorporate fiber into existing networks. The converters enhance the Ethernet connection over fiber optic by extending the UTP. Modern panels are designed to meet the current needs and provide the flexibility for future needs. The panels are comprises of variety of cassettes for different types of fiber patch cables.

 

Low Cost

 

If the user gets its ownership, then he or she will realize that in initial days the rate of fiber optic cable is a bit expensive, but its reliability, durability and speed makes it worth it. And after some days of use, it automatically becomes affordable as there are a number of packages are given to the user to choose the most affordable one.

 

Each of these advantages of fiber optic cable makes it best among all other traditional internet connections. 

How Should I Terminate My Fiber Optic Cable

In today’s day and age, we are more connected than ever. And we expect it.

 

At the work place we are attending virtual trainings on the latest technologies and we are connecting across the globe with our colleagues in real-time meetings – with just the click of a button.

 

When we leave work, we are going home using app-based scooters and bicycles that only needs the swipe of a cell phone. And if taking a highway home, you no longer search for change at a toll booth but instead you drive through a toll lane that scans and charges your account as you drive underneath it.

 

And it doesn’t stop at home. We are answering emails, while streaming Ultra HD video on our smart TV’s, all while having the latest super hero flick downloading on our tablet to watch on an upcoming business trip.

 

With the ever-increasing demand for the bandwidth needed to meet today’s expectations; how we design, install, and maintain our fiber optic networks must evolve with that same demand. In particular, the methods used to terminate, or connect, the ends of our fiber optic networks has evolved in the past 20 years quite drastically; starting with hand-polishing a ferrule with films and epoxies to achieve a finished termination. Hand epoxy polishing gave you a good, epoxy-cured connection but can be time consuming, and it took certain skill sets to achieve a good ferrule polish. Epoxy terminations lead to Mechanical Terminations which is the mechanical mating of fibers with the use of specific hand tools, v-groove alignment, and index matching gel to bridge the air gap between fibers. The benefits of using a factory-polished ferrule and the mechanical termination offered a time saving from traditional hand-polishing and allowed even some of the most novice of technicians the ability of putting a quality connector on in the field. As optical fusion splice machines and fusion splicing technology improved, technicians can now fusion splice a pigtail, a length of cable factory terminated on a single end, to a field cable that has been newly pulled or an old cable that needs to be repaired.

 

More importantly than any convenience of use though, is the performance of the termination. To enjoy some of the luxuries of connectivity mentioned before, we need a stronger optical signal to go farther than ever. Insertion Loss (IL) is a measurement of the optical power that is lost through a mated pair in decibels (dB). To compare the performance in IL of the three main termination methods, hand epoxy can typically range from .20dB - .75dB depending on installer. A typical mechanical style termination IL is 0.50dB, with loss accumulating from both the air gap of a mated pair, and the alignment of the fiber stub to your field fiber. Fusion splicing a pigtail or connector, is going to give your lowest loss of light through termination. Average fusion splice termination IL is .02dB - .05dB of loss through the splice, for a total of typical .20dB IL from your termination. By fusion splicing a connector in your network you are performing that much better in regards of your signal getting from source to receive.

 

Another important factor of your termination is how much light it reflects, you do not want your termination to be reflective. Reflectance is measured by how much light (dB) is returned back up the link, and the lower the number (farthest from 0) the better. The ferrule of your termination is the main factor in reflectance, and is categorized in 3 main stages: Physical Contact (PC), Ultra Physical Contact (UPC), and Angled Physical contact (APC). To throw a lot of numbers and letters around, PC polish typically has a reflectance of -30dB, UPC polish typical -40dB, and APC polish -65dB or better. Remember, the lower the number the least amount of reflection, so APC being -65dB is premium performance for optical termination because it returns the least amount of light per termination. Hand polishing connector does rely on skill, an experienced technician will be able to give you the best results but it still can be an imperfect science. Mechanical connectors allowed anybody to be able to put on a connector with the use of specific tools and simple termination procedures, but because of the reflectance of the matching gel, along with the mating of the ferrules, you will achieve around the -40dB referenced above. By being able to fusion splice a factory terminated pigtail to a field fiber, you achieve maximum performance of the ferrule polish due to the low reflectance fusion splice technology. A -65dB return loss on an APC termination is possible because a typical core alignment fusion splice is actually considered a non-reflective event. As we bring fiber closer and closer to the home, with lab environment transmission of 400gB of data over fiber, we can’t afford the return of light that our networks of days past allowed us.

 

With fusion splicing becoming the termination method of choice for performance, it’s now about installation and how we can make it easier. Pigtail splicing while practical, can be cumbersome with cable management and could require more rack space for that management. You prep your field fiber, you prep your pigtail, you splice them together and manage the slack, and you have a high performing termination.

 

The industry is now seeing Splice on Connectors as a popular choice of termination vs traditional pigtails because of the cost, space, and time savings they offer. Now you can use a factory terminated connector that can be spliced right at the end of your trunk cable, allowing a time savings in cable prep, a space saving without the excess length of traditional pigtails, and still giving your connection an Insertion Loss as low as .20dB, and a minimal return loss as low as -65dB. Splice on Connectors can arguably be your lowest cost, easiest to install, and best performing termination method.

 

In conclusion, I want to say that I am writing on my laptop while streaming a basketball game, my wife is streaming her reality TV while scrolling home improvement blogs on her phone, and our demand for bandwidth isn’t slowing down. As our use of technology evolves, so must our data networks. And in terms of how we terminate our fibers, the practice of using splice on connectors has us all trending in the right direction.

BRITISH RESEARCHERS MAKE FIBER OPTICS EVEN FASTER

by www.fiber-mart.com

The UK isn’t known for having especially fast broadband speeds. Last month, a group of business leaders in Britain published a study in which they accused the UK government of having a “poverty of ambition” that has caused the country to lag behind other developed nations in the adoption of high speed fiber optic internet. The authors of the study argue that improved broadband speeds would increase productivity in British businesses and allow them to offer greater flexibility to their employees.

 

Well, the UK government might be suffering from a poverty of ambition, but the nation’s scientists certainly aren’t.

 

A group of researchers at University College London’s Optical Networks Group (ONG) recently announced that they had developed a new technique that allows them to achieve data transfer rates of up to 1.125 terabits per second using fiber optic cables. That’s roughly 50,000 times faster than the average broadband connection in the UK. To put those transfer speeds in perspective, the researchers explain that they would allow you to download the entire “Game of Thrones” series in seconds.

 

SO HOW DID THEY DO IT?

The research team at ONG took highly efficient methods of data compression used in Wi-Fi signals and adapted them for use with optical signals. The data was transferred by sending 15 pulses of light at different frequencies simultaneously toward a special receiver capable of quickly processing all that information. The technique would allow them to use existing fiber optic infrastructure to achieve unprecedented transfer speeds.

 

The researchers say the next step is to test their technique over long distances to assess the effects of signal decay and distortion. It might be a while before we have 1 Tbps transfer speeds in our living rooms, but breakthroughs like this are bringing us closer ever day.

The Unfortunate Disadvantages of Using Copper Wires

by Fiber-MART.COM

Copper wires used to be the number one way to transmit information through a series of underground cables.  And, this worked for a long time–we were used to poor connections, dangerous conditions, and low transmission ranges.  However, that is what led us to discover the usefulness of fiber optic cables.  We’ve since discovered that copper wires are nowhere near as advantageous as using fiber optic cables.  But, what are the serious disadvantages that come with using copper wires in this day and age?  Read on to find out.

 

This may come as a surprise to many; fiber optic cables seem like the should be much more expensive.  Due to the fact that copper is based within a Latin American foreign trade system, it can cost more to obtain.  Likewise, it doesn’t transmit information nearly as far or as quickly as fiber optics.  This means that, over long distances where it is necessary, copper wire is not practical, cost-wise.  It takes way more cable to complete what a fiber optic cable could complete with less material.

 

You’ve probably seen pennies that are old, green, and grimy.  This is the effect oxygen and other elements have on copper as an element.  Over time, copper is seriously in danger of corrosion.  There’s no way to avoid it, and while you can care heavily for your cables, eventually the copper will no longer be able to hold up to the damage.  Fortunately, a fiber optic cable will never corrode, thus costing you far less in the long run.

 

They Are Unsafe

 

By using electricity to transmit info, copper cables pose a fire hazard and a shock hazard.  Handling these cables incorrectly can do more than damage the cables themselves; it can also harm you, through shock or fire.  When not properly cared for, the risk of fire rises significantly.  Fiber optic cables, however, use light to transmit information, so they can’t pose a fire hazard at all.  They require more care, but will never risk your life when being handled.

 

fiber-mart can install your fiber optic network for your business!

 

fiber-mart is ready to work with you to customize your fiber optic network!

 

 

We focus on custom product manufacturing for fiber optic connectivity.  We will engineer solutions to any customer’s specs and needs, and we create end-to-end solutions so you won’t be left in the dark.  fiber-mart strives to provide our customers with the highest quality product above industry standards at a competitive cost.  

 

 

Do you need a custom fiber optic connectivity solution?  fiber-mart specializes in custom design solutions.  We work all over the world to provide solutions from our headquarters in Venice, Florida.  Our goal is to provide you with the perfect solutions, designs, and cabling.

A comprehensive understanding of fiber optic connectors

by Fiber-MART.COM

Fiber optic connectors have traditionally been the biggest concern in using fiber optic systems. While connectors were once unwieldy and difficult to use, connector manufacturers have standardized and simplified connectors greatly. This increases the user use convenient increase in the use of optical fiber systems; It is also emphasizing taken proper care of and deal with the optical connector. This article covers connector basics including the parts of a fiber optic connector, installing fiber optic connectors, and the cleaning and handling of installed connectors. For information on connector loss, see Connector Loss Test Measurement.

All About Fiber Optic Cables and Their Fire Ratings

by Fiber-MART.COM

Fiber optic cables severely reduce the risk of electrical fires in comparison to copper cables.  Because they transfer information using light, they don’t cause electromagnetic interference, either.  But, of course, there is always risk for fire anywhere fiber optic cables are installed, due to other factors.  And, when this happens, fiber optic cables have different levels of resistance.  This is where fire ratings for cables come in.  An important part of understanding the functionality of a fiber optic cable is learning about fire ratings–for a basic overview, read on.

 

 

Why are fire ratings needed?

 

If fiber optic cables reduce the risk of fire, why are ratings even necessary?  While fiber optic cables utilize light to transfer information, some cables contain conductive material that can conduct electricity.  This is where the risk of fire comes in, and where the National Electric Code (NEC) creates different ratings per cable.  Depending on where the cables are needed, fire ratings should be heavily considered, as some purposes are more of a fire hazard than others.  Usually, the ratings are displayed on the cable jacket every 2 to 4 feet.

 

What affects the ratings?

 

There are three types of jacket ratings: plenum, riser, and general purpose.  Plenum jackets are considered the most resistant to fire, whereas general purpose jackets are least resistant.  Certain jackets need to be used in certain situations; for more information, you can view article 770.19 of the NEC.  But, there’s another factor to consider when defining fire ratings, and that’s whether or not the cable is conductive.  Again, this can affect where the cable must be used–it’s important to contact professionals when installing fiber optic cable networks for this reason.  Fire ratings must be carefully evaluated and considered before the cables are installed.  

 

fiber-mart.com has the professionals you need in order to install your fiber optic cable network!

 

fiber-mart.com is ready to work with you to customize your fiber optic network!

 

We focus on custom product manufacturing for fiber optic connectivity.  We will engineer solutions to any customer’s specs and needs, and we create end-to-end solutions so you won’t be left in the dark.  fiber-mart.com strives to provide our customers with the highest quality product above industry standards at a competitive cost.  

 

Do you need a custom fiber optic connectivity solution?  fiber-mart.com specializes in custom design solutions.  We work all over the world to provide solutions from our headquarters in Venice, Florida.  Our goal is to provide you with the perfect solutions, designs, and cabling.

40G QSFP+ Direct Attach Copper Cabling

by Fiber-MART.COM

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.

Basic Knowledge About GPON SFP Transceivers

by Fiber-MART.COM

GPON stands for Gigabit Passive Optical Network. GPON is one of the key technologies that are being used in fiber-based (FTTx) access networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), fiber to the business (FTTB), fiber to the curb (FTTC), etc. GPON system contains two main active transmission components, namely optical line termination (OLT) and optical network termination (ONT) or optical network unit (ONU). Modern OLT and ONT/ONU use compact fiber optic modules to achieve the triple-play GPON services. These modules are known as GPON SFP transceivers. This post will give a comprehensive introduction to GPON SFP modules.

 

What Is GPON SFP?

GPON SFP is one type of gigabit optical transceivers that are used in GPON system, which is compliant with ITU-T G.984.2 standard. It is a bidirectional module that has SC receptacle and works over simplex single-mode fiber optic cable. A GPON SFP module transmits and receives signals of different wavelengths between the OLT at the Central Office side and the ONT at the end users side. GPON SFPs utilize both the upstream data and downstream data by means of Optical Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM).

 

GPON SFP: Class B+ vs. Class C+

GPON SFP transceivers are categorized into GPON OLT SFP and GPON ONT SFP or GPON ONU SFP depending on the devices they are used in. And there are Class B+ GPON SFP and Class C+ GPON SFP. The major differences between them are the transmit power and the receive sensitivity. The table below lists the Tx power and Rx sensitivity of Class B+ GPON SFP and Class C+ GPON SFP.

 

By using Class B+ or Class C+ GPON OLT SFP, it can support up to 32 or 64 ONTs at customer premises respectively. And a C+ OLT SFP can be used with B+ ONT SFP as long as the loss budget of the link is appropriate.

 

How’s the GPON SFP Different From Conventional BiDi SFP?

Although GPON SFP belongs to the gigabit BiDi SFP family, it differs from “normal” BiDi SFPs in some aspects. Here’s a comparison between GPON SFP transceiver and conventional BiDi SFP transceiver.

 

Signal Transmission Mode

In terms of conventional gigabit BiDi SFP transceivers that are mainly used in backbone network, the optical transmission mode is point to point (P2P), i.e., they must be used in matched pair. A BiDi usually has LC receptacle instead of SC receptacle. Here’s an illustration of P2P transmission mode.

 

The transmission mode of GPON SFP is point to multi-point (P2MP). One GPON OLT SFP at the Central Office communicates with multiple GPON ONT SFPs with the help of fiber optic splitters. This is why we usually see a GPON infrastructure is in a tree shape or a tee shape.

 

Transmission Distance

The transmission distance of conventional gigabit BiDi SFP can be up to 160 km over single-mode fiber cable when using 1590nm/1510nm and 1510nm/1590nm wavelengths. GPON OLT and ONT/ ONU SFP transceivers support a transmission distance up to 20 km with 1490nm/1310nm and 1310nm/1490nm wavelengths.

 

Benefits of Using GPON SFP

Using GPON SFP is considered a more convenient and cost-effective solution for the end customers. And it also reduces the devices that need to be provided by the Internet service provider (ISP). Before the GPON ONT SFP was released and used in GPON networks, the ISP usually needs to install at least an optical modem (a type of ONT with a fiber optic port) and an IP access router, and a Set-Top-Box or video recorder might also be needed if IPTV services are required. The separation of different devices inevitably increased the cost for GPON services.

 

The newly used GPON SFP is in smaller size and integrates the triple-play services. It has lower consumption as well. The ISP provides a GPON ONT SFP to the customer. This module is usually installed in the hub/router handed to the customer by the ISP. The customer is also able to unplug the fiber optic patch cable and the GPON ONT SFP from the ISP’s hub/router, and then plug them in his own router/switch that is white-listed by the ISP.

 

Conclusion

GPON SFP transceivers are typically used in the two main active transmission components OLT and ONT/ONU in GPON optical networks. They are essential in keeping the high-bandwidth communication between the service provider and the end users over a distance up to 20 km. GPON SFPs are classified into Class B+ and Class C+ and the main differences are their Tx power and Rx sensitivity. This module has simplified the implementation of GPON services. It benefits both the service providers and the end users to some degree.

WHEN WAS FIBER OPTIC CABLE INVENTED?

There are many people who believe fiber optics are the future of communication in this country. And for good reason. Fiber optic cables are currently being used to send voice messages, images, videos, and more at the speed of light. The fiber rods are made of glass or plastic and have the capability of sending data quicker and more effectively than the old metal wires that have been used to do the same thing for many years now. But when and where were fiber optics first invented?

 

THE HISTORY OF FIBER OPTIC CABLES

The history of fiber optic cables actually dates back to the mid-1800s. While the cables themselves weren’t invented back then, the technology behind them was first researched when scientists and inventors like John Tyndall, Alexander Graham Bell, and William Wheeler started toying around with the idea of using the speed of light to transmit information. Over the next 100 years or so, other researchers continued to push forward with the idea of using light to send data before a group of Corning Glass researchers, including Robert Maurer, Donald Keck, and Peter Schultz, first invented fiber optic wires—then called “Optical Waveguide Fibers”—that could carry about 65,000 times more data than copper wires. It was a huge development.

 

The U.S. government was one of the first big organizations to start using fiber optic cables when they utilized them to link a network of computers together in the NORAD headquarters in Colorado in 1975. Two years later, the first telephone communication system using fiber optic cables was created in Chicago. And fiber optics grew from there. By the end of the 1990s, about 80 percent of the globe’s long-distance data traffic was transmitted through fiber optic cables, according to ThoughtCo. And the fiber optics craze continues today with many companies using it to transmit data quickly both within their own walls and out in the world.

 

Connected Fiber has a long history with fiber optic cables that dates back to the 1990s. We can provide you with a range of fiber optic services and tell you more about the benefit of using fiber optics. Call us at 910-443-0532 to learn more about why the invention of fiber optic cables was so important.

Five Basics About Fiber Optic Cable

A fiber optic cable is a network cable that contains strands of glass fibers inside an insulated casing. They’re designed for high performance data networking and telecommunications. Fiber optic cable carry communication signals using pulses of light, faster than copper cabling which uses electricity. They are becoming the most significant communication media in data center. Then how much do you know about them? This post serves as a guide for beginners.

Fiber Components

The three basic elements of a fiber optic cable are the core, cladding and coating. Core is the light transmission area of the fiber, either glass or plastic. The larger the core, the more light that will be transmitted into the fiber. The function of the cladding is to provide a lower refractive index at the core interface, causing reflection within the core. Therefore the light waves can be transmitted through the fiber. Coatings are usually multi-layers of plastics applied to preserve fiber strength, absorb shock and provide extra fiber protection.

Fiber Type

Generally, there are two basic types of fiber optic cables: single mode fiber (SMF) and multimode fiber (MMF). Furthermore, multimode fiber cores may be either step index or graded index.

Single mode and multi-mode fiber-optic cables

Single mode optical fiber is a single strand of glass fiber with a diameter of 8.3 to 10 microns that has one mode of transmission. The index of refraction between the core and the cladding changes less than it does for multimode fibers. Light thus travels parallel to the axis, creating little pulse dispersion. It’s often used for long-distance signal transmission.

Step index multimode fiber has a large core, up to 100 microns in diameter. As a result, some of the light rays that make up the digital pulse may travel a direct route, whereas others zigzag as they bounce off the cladding. These alternative pathways cause the different groupings of light rays to arrive separately at a receiving point. Consequently, this type of fiber is best suited for transmission over short distances.

Graded index fibers are commercially available with core diameters of 50, 62.5 and 100 microns. It contains a core in which the refractive index diminishes gradually from the center axis out toward the cladding. The higher refractive index at the center makes the light rays moving down the axis advance more slowly than those near the cladding.

Fiber Size

Single mode fibers usually has a 9 micron core and a 125 micron cladding (9/125µm). Multimode fibers originally came in several sizes, optimized for various networks and sources, but the data industry standardized on 62.5 core fiber in the mid-80s (62.5/125 fiber has a 62.5 micron core and a 125 micron cladding. It’s now called OM1). Recently, as gigabit and 10 gigabit networks have become widely used, an old fiber design has been upgraded. 50/125 fiber was used from the late 70s with lasers for telecom applications. 50/125 fiber (OM2) offers higher bandwidth with the laser sources used in the gigabit LANs and can allow gigabit links to go longer distances. Laser-optimized 50/125 fiber (OM3 or OM4) today is considered by most to be the best choice for multimode applications.

Basic Cable Design

The two basic cable designs are loose-tube cable, used in the majority of outside plant installations, and tight-buffered cable, primarily used inside buildings.

The modular design of loose-tube cables typically holds up to 12 fibers per buffer tube with a maximum per cable fiber count of more than 200 fibers. Loose-tube cables can be all dielectric or optionally armored. The modular buffer-tube design permits easy drop-off of groups of fibers at intermediate points, without interfering with other protected buffer tubes being routed to other locations.

Tight-buffered cables can be divided into single fiber tight-buffered cables and multi-fiber tight-buffered cables. single fiber tight-buffered cables are used as pigtails, patch cords and jumpers to terminate loose-tube cables directly into opto-electronic transmitters, receivers and other active and passive components. While multi-fiber tight-buffered cables also are available and are used primarily for alternative routing and handling flexibility and ease within buildings.

Connector Type

While there are many different types of fiber connectors, they share similar design characteristics. Simplex vs. duplex: Simplex means 1 connector per end while duplex means 2 connectors per end. The following picture shows various connector styles as well as characteristics.

Summary

Ultimately, what we’ve discussed is only the tip of the iceberg. If you are eager to know more about the fiber optic cable, either basics, applications or purchasing, please visit www.fiber-mart.com for more information.

BASIC CABLE DESIGN

1 - Two basic cable designs are:

 

Loose-tube cable, used in the majority of outside-plant installations in North America, and tight-buffered cable, primarily used inside buildings.

 

The modular design of loose-tube cables typically holds up to 12 fibers per buffer tube with a maximum per cable fiber count of more than 200 fibers. Loose-tube cables can be all-dielectric or optionally armored. The modular buffer-tube design permits easy drop-off of groups of fibers at intermediate points, without interfering with other protected buffer tubes being routed to other locations. The loose-tube design also helps in the identification and administration of fibers in the system.

 

Single-fiber tight-buffered cables are used as pigtails, patch cords and jumpers to terminate loose-tube cables directly into opto-electronic transmitters, receivers and other active and passive components.

 

Multi-fiber tight-buffered cables also are available and are used primarily for alternative routing and handling flexibility and ease within buildings.

 

2 - Loose-Tube Cable

 

In a loose-tube cable design, color-coded plastic buffer tubes house and protect optical fibers. A gel filling compound impedes water penetration. Excess fiber length (relative to buffer tube length) insulates fibers from stresses of installation and environmental loading. Buffer tubes are stranded around a dielectric or steel central member, which serves as an anti-buckling element.

 

The cable core, typically uses aramid yarn, as the primary tensile strength member. The outer polyethylene jacket is extruded over the core. If armoring is required, a corrugated steel tape is formed around a single jacketed cable with an additional jacket extruded over the armor.

 

Loose-tube cables typically are used for outside-plant installation in aerial, duct and direct-buried applications.

 

 

3 - Tight-Buffered Cable

 

With tight-buffered cable designs, the buffering material is in direct contact with the fiber. This design is suited for "jumper cables" which connect outside plant cables to terminal equipment, and also for linking various devices in a premises network.

 

Multi-fiber, tight-buffered cables often are used for intra-building, risers, general building and plenum applications.

 

The tight-buffered design provides a rugged cable structure to protect individual fibers during handling, routing and connectorization. Yarn strength members keep the tensile load away from the fiber.

 

As with loose-tube cables, optical specifications for tight-buffered cables also should include the maximum performance of all fibers over the operating temperature range and life of the cable. Averages should not be acceptable.

Enhance Your Network With 40G QSFP+ AOC

Enhance Your Network With 40G QSFP+ AOC

by Fiber-MART.COM

To meet the requirements for higher bandwidth and throughput, 40 Gigabit Ethernet has become a trend for data transmission. A series of 40G equipment are designed to achieve the seamless interconnection in the 40G network. Devices like 40G fiber optic transceivers and 40G direct attach cables are widely used for the high speed transmission. 40G direct attach cables (DAC) are optimal solutions for short range connectivity. It can be further divided into the direct attach copper cable and active optical cable (AOC). This article will focus on presenting you some cost-effective 40G QSFP+ AOC solutions to improve your network.

Basic Knowledge of Active Optical Cable

AOC is a cabling technology that accepts the same electrical inputs as a traditional copper cable, but uses optical fiber “between the connectors”. It adopts electrical-to-optical conversion on the cable ends to improve speed and distance performance of the cable without sacrificing compatibility with standard electrical interfaces. AOC is especially used for short-range multi-lane data communication and interconnect applications. It is made up of the multimode optic fiber, control chip and different connectors with one end terminated with QSFP+ connector and the other end terminated with QSFP+, SFP+, LC or else connectors.

 

Reasons for Choosing 40G QSFP+ AOC

However, why do we often use 40G QSFP+ AOC instead of 40GBASE-SR4 QSFP+ module? In fact, 40G QSFP+ AOC has many benefits that will provoke your interest for choosing it. First is the lower cost compared to the module since the AOC saves the need for extra fiber patch cables. Second is the low insertion and return loss. Although it is used for the same transmission distance, the repeatability and interchangeability performances of 40G AOC are better than 40GBASE-SR4 module. Thirdly, under the four-quadrant test, which is used to test whether the product still keeps better performance even under the lowest and highest voltage and temperature situations, the AOCs are qualified to meet all the demands.

 

40G QSFP+ AOC Solutions

Here provides some common 40G QSFP+ AOC solutions that are welcome in the market.

 

Solution 1: 40G QSFP+ to QSFP+ AOC

Each end of this AOC has a QSFP+ connector used for 40G data propagation. The maximum length can reach up to 100 meters. It is a 40 Gbps parallel active optical cable which transmits error-free parallel 4×10 Gbps data over multimode fiber (MMF) ribbon cables.

 

Solution 2: 40G QSFP+ to 4xSFP+ AOC

QSFP+ to 4x SFP+ AOC is a breakout cable offering the professionals a cost-effective interconnect solution for merging 40G QSFP+ and 10G SFP+ between devices of adapters, switches and servers. Users can install this AOC between an available QSFP+ port on their 40Gbps rated switch and feed up to four upstream 10G SFP+ enabled switches.

 

Solution 3: 40G QSFP+ to 8xLC AOC

This is also a breakout AOC with a QSFP+ connector on one end and 8xLC connectors on the other. It is a high performance, low power consumption, long reach interconnect solution supporting the 40G Ethernet compliant with the QSFP+ MSA and IEEE P802.3ba 40GBASE-SR4. It is an assembly of 4 full-duplex lanes. Each lane is able to transmit up to 10 Gbps data rate providing an aggregated rate of 40 Gbps.

Conclusion

Along with the popularity of 40G Ethernet, the market of 40G QSFP+ AOC has been growing over the years. It is definitely a better choice for high speed transmission over short distances. Additionally, if you are looking for higher bandwidth AOCs, there are also 100G QSFP28 AOC and 120G CXP AOC suitable for your needs.