How 5G Wireless Goes Hand in Hand With Fiber Optics

Wireless networks are getting better all the time. The most recent development is 5G, which stands for fifth generation, and it will cover a wide range of devices. It will cover fixed network infrastructure as well as mobile which makes people wonder if it will eliminate the need for fiber cables. It is actually quite the opposite. 5G will depend on fiber in order to be fully functional.

Why 5G Wireless Relies on Fiber Optics for Internet Connectivity

Fiber Allows for Increased Speed

5G promised increased speed and even though many people are accustomed to wireless networks, wireless infrastructures actually rely on a huge net of fiber optic cables. Even though it is available as wireless technology, about 90% of it is actually traveled via wireline fiber. If 5G actually plans on delivering what it promises, then fiber optic wires are the only way this can get done because it is the top choice for many mediums when looking towards the future.

Fiber Allows for Better Performance

In addition to the faster speed promise, there is also a goal of better performance. In order to meet this goal, there will need to be even more fiber used all over the globe. There needs to be a solid foundation in order to accomplish the availability and coverage. The idea is that there will be more smaller sites instead of a few large ones because it will allow for more users to utilize the capabilities in an area. Copper or air options will not be able to sustain this so fiber optic is the most viable option.

Fiber is Cost Effective

The last reason that 5G will rely on fiber is that it is very cost effective. Because of its affordability and how long it lasts before it needs to be replaced, it is the best all around option. More companies will be able to utilize it which will result in more people having access to 5G.

Fiber is the only option for 5G when you look at all of these factors. As you can see, fiber optic cables and the 5G network go hand in hand.

CALIFORNIA GAS PIPELINES WILL GET FIBER OPTIC MONITORS

In addition to bringing the Internet to people all over the world, optical signals have a host of other lesser-known uses as well. Recently, the Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) announced that it will use optical fibers to help monitor and maintain the subterranean gas lines that carry fuel throughout the state. The first phase of the fiber optic monitoring system will be installed on a seven-mile stretch of pipeline north of Los Angeles later this year.

 

The optical fibers will be buried 36 inches underground, and about 12 inches above the pipelines they’ll monitor. They will be connected to a remote station that will provide technicians with early warning alerts at the first sign of trouble. By interpreting changes in the optical signal, the monitoring system is able to identify and distinguish between different types of damage such as a leak or accidental dig-in by a third party contractor. It’s able to pinpoint the location of the damage to within 20 feet.

 

“The technology quickly detects when abnormal stress, movement or temperature conditions are present,” said a SoCalGas representative in a press release. “Continuous monitoring and measurement will help the company quickly identify threats to a pipeline from heavy equipment operation, unexpected earth movement or physical impact.”

 

SoCalGas plans to install the fiber optic monitors on all if its new and replacement pipelines in the future. The company is confident that the system will help to prevent leaks, and allow repair crews to respond quickly in the event of an emergency. Ultimately, this could make more than 100,000 miles of gas pipelines safer and more reliable for the communities they serve.

How to use Fiber Optic Tools To Terminate Fiber Optic Cables

There are various kinds of fiber optic tools utilized in the fiber optic installation and maintenance works. And the cable stripper is a tool to remove the outside jacket from an optical fiber cable, plays an important role in the fiber optic cable splicing process.

A high quality fiber stripper will safely and efficiently remove the outside jacket from an optical fiber cable. Just with a highly fiber stripper of your fiber cable jacket tends to make an undamaged exposed fiber that is important for successful splicing of two optical fibers. An optical fiber stripper can help you speed up the process of performing fiber network maintenance work and avoid excessive network downtime. But do you know how to cut fiber optic cables?

Terminating fiber optic cables might seem complicated if you do it the first time. Follow these instructions below to understand the proper method of cutting and do the job yourself. Read on to learn the basics of cutting fiber optic cables. Your safety is of utmost importance. Wear gloves while working with fiber optic cables.

With the right set of tools, fiber optic cable cutting can be a very simple undertaking. Striping fiber optic cable isn’t a job for a wire stripper. You need special strippers that allow you to precisely remove the correct cable layers for the job. The tools needed for fiber terminations are fiber optic cable strippers, kevlar scissors, fiber cleavers, ST, SC, LC or MTRJ fiber optic connectors, fiber connector hand polishing puck, fiber polishing films and fiber inspection microscope.

1. Strip the fiber with a fiber optic stripper

Fiber cables come with 3mm jacket, Kevlar strength member and 0.9mm buffer coating. To get off the 0.125mm fiber cladding, you need to remove the 3mm jacket with a fiber stripper, then cut the Kevlar fibers with a Kevlar cutter, finally strip the 0.9mm buffer down to 0.125mm cladding with a fiber optic stripper.

2. Cleave the fiber with a fiber cleaver

After stripping the fiber down to 0.125mm cladding, you insert the fiber into a SC, ST or LC connector, and then inject some fiber optic epoxy into the connector with a syringe. You will then lay the connector into a hot oven to cure the fiber epoxy so it can hold the fiber tightly. After the curing process, you cleave extra fibers from the connector tip with a Fujikura cleaver.

3. Hand polishing the fiber
In the next step, you put the connector (already with fiber fixed inside) into a hand polishing puck, which serves as a fixture while you polish the end face of the connector to get a high quality mirror like finish. You then hold the polishing puck and polish the connector on a connector lapping film in a figure 8 shape for 10~15 times. Repeat the hand polishing steps stepping from 12um, 3um and 0.5um lapping films.

4. Fiber termination quality inspection
The final step is to inspect the quality of your work. You insert the finished connector into a fiber optic inspection microscope which zooms to 200 to 400 time level to show you all the scratches and pits that may exist on the connector end face. If everything looks perfect, then you can connector your fiber into the network.