Differences Between FBT Splitter and PLC Splitter

by www.fiber-mart.com

Nowadays, with the further popularization of the optical fiber communication, fiber optic splitter plays an increasing significant role in many of today’s optical network topologies. Although there are variations of splitter types, the two most commonly deployed splitters are FBT (Fused Biconical Taper) splitter and PLC (Planar Lightwave Circuit) splitter. So, when you deploy your network, what kind of splitter you should choose may be a problem for you. And in order to solve this problem, this paper will give you a detailed introduction of differences between FBT splitter and PLC splitter.

 

Definition of FBT Splitter and PLC Splitter

Before you get to know the features of them, first you should know what them are. Next, each splitter will be introduced.

 

FBT Splitter – FBT is a traditional technology that two fibers are typically twisted and fused together while the assembly is being elongated and tapered. The fused fibers are protected by a glass substrate and then protected by a stainless steel tube, typically 3mm diameter by 54mm long. FBT splitters are widely accepted and used in passive optical networks, especially for instances where the split configuration is not more than 1×4. The slight drawback of this technology is when larger split configurations such as 1×16, 1×32 and 1×64 are needed.

 

PLC splitter – A PLC splitter is a micro-optical component based on planar lightwave circuit technology and provides a low cost light distribution solution with small form factor and high reliability. It is manufactured using silica glass waveguide circuits that are aligned with a V-groove fiber array chip that uses ribbon fiber. Once everything is aligned and bonded, it is then packaged inside a miniature housing. PLC Splitter has high quality performance, such as low insertion loss, low PDL (Polarization Dependent Loss), high return loss and excellent uniformity over a wide wavelength range from 1260 nm to 1620 nm and have an operating temperature -40°C to +85°C.

 

Feature Comparison of FBT Splitter and PLC Splitter

In the past few years, splitter technology has made a huge step forward, especially the PLC splitter technology. This situation resulted in that PLC splitter has become a higher reliable type of device compared to the traditional FBT splitter. Although being similar in size and appearance, the internally technologies behind these types vary, thus giving service providers a possibility to choose a more appropriate solution.

 

Operating Wavelength – As is mentioned above, PLC splitter can provide a range of operating wavelength from 1260 nm to 1620 nm. But FBT splitters only support three wavelengths (850/1310/1550 nm) which makes these devices unable to operate on other wavelengths.

 

Operating Temperature – Commonly, FTB splitter is to a high extent temperature sensitive, providing a stable working range of -5 °C to 75 °C. While PLC splitter operates at wider temperature range (-40 °C to 85 °C), allowing its deploying in the areas of extreme climate.

 

Split Ratio – The split ratio of FBT splitter is 1:8 and it can be higher with higher failure rate. The split ratio of PLC splitter can go up to 64, which is equal to all branches, thus providing a high reliability.

 

Cost – FBT splitter is made out of materials that are easily available, for example steel, fiber, hot dorm and others. All of these materials are low-price, which determines the low cost of the device itself. PLC splitter manufacturing technology is more complex. It uses semiconductor technology (lithography, etching, developer technology) production, hence it is more difficult to manufacture. Therefore, the price of this device is higher.

 

Conclusion

In a word, Compared with FBT splitter, the capacity of PLC splitter is better, but costlier than the FBT splitter in the smaller ratios. You can choose it according to your requirements. fiber-mart.com offers both FBT splitter and PLC splitter with good quality and low price. Whether in FTTx systems or in traditional optic network, fiber-mart.com splitter can help you to maximize the functionality of optical network circuits.

How Much Do You Know About PLC Splitter?

by Fiber-MART.COM

 

PLC Splitter, short for Planar Lightwave Circuit Splitter, is developed based on unique silica glass waveguide process with reliable precision aligned fiber pigtail in a miniature package, providing a low cost light distribution solution with small form factor and high reliability.

 

Why Do We Need PLC Splitters?

Splitter is an indispensable component of Passive Optical Network (PON) systems. In the PON system, PLC splitter is used to distribute or combine optical signals. As widely used in FTTx (Fiber to the x, which is defined as a collective term for various optical fiber delivery topologies that are categorized according to where the fiber terminates), the splitter technology is valued with its wider operating wavelength (PLC splitter can work on 1260-1650nm wavelength, while FBT can usually work on three different operating wavelengths). PLC splitter, with its high quality performance, such as the low insertion loss, low Polarization Dependent Loss (PDL), meeting the transmission requirements of different wavelength, spectral uniformity, the average signal assigned to the user, compact structure, small volume, low cost of more points etc., is widely used and expected as an important component in many network solutions. The position of PLC Splitter in the network see Figure 1.

The position of PLC Splitter in the network

 

How Does a PLC Splitter Work?

PLC Splitter is installed in every optical network between the PON Optical Line Terminal (OLT) and the Optical Network Terminals (ONTs) that the OLT serves. The simple optical splitter is used in networks to implement BPON, GPON, EPON, 10G EPON, and 10G GPON technology. But there is something special in a WDM PON network, it will use an Arrayed Wave Guide (AWG) instead of the optical splitter. PLC splitter is based on planar Light wave circuit technology and precision aligning process so that it can divide a single/dual optical input(s) into multiple optical outputs uniformly and is denoted 1xN or 2xN. We can see the Figure 2. below, which shows the PLC splitter’s working principle.

PLC splitter's working principle

 

Types of PLC Splitters

Depending on subscriber conditions or cable length, types of PLC splitter available include 1xN and 2xN, such as 1×4, 1×8, 1×16, 1×32, etc. may be used. In addition, in order to follow clients’ different inquiry, different package are produced by the manufacturers.

 

fiber-mart recently launched the newest product of the PLC splitter producing line, which is designed in Mini plug-in Type(Figure 8.). This type of PLC splitter is specialized for plug and play splitter application, features high reliability, reduce installation time,small size, wide operating wavelength range and good channel-to-channel uniformity and provide a cost effective and space saving product suitable to the ever changing networking requirements, and now is widely used in PON networks to realize optical signal power splitting.

What's optical network (photonic network)

An optical (photonic) network is a communications network in which information is transmitted as optical or infrared radiation transmission (IR) signals. 

 

 

In a true photonic network, every switch and every repeater works with IR or visible-light energy and conversion to and from electrical impulses is only done at the source and destination (origin and end point). Electric current propagates at about 10 percent of the speed of light (18,000 to 19,000 miles or 30,000 kilometers per second), while the energy in fiber optic systems travels at the speed of light. This results in shorter data-transmission delay times between the end points of a network.  The top speed for data running over a single optical channel is about 10 Gbps but greater speeds can be obtained by dividing up a single optical cable into a number of channels.

 

Optical or IR data transmission has several other advantages over electrical transmission. Perhaps most important is the greatly increased

 

bandwidth provided by photon signals. Because the frequency of visible or IR energy is so high (on the order of millions of megahertz), thousands or millions of signals can be impressed onto a single beam by means of frequency division multiplexing (FDM). In addition, a single strand of fiber can carry IR and/or visible light at several different wavelengths, each beam having its own set of modulating signals. This is known as wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM).

 

Dynamic provisioning, whereby optical channels can be split into many high-speed wavelengths, allows network managers to increase the capacity of their optical network at very short notice. Instead of having to wait for service providers to dig up roads and lay cable, users can get more bandwidth in days - hours, even - rather than weeks or months. This is one of the reasons optical fibre is widely used in network backbones within buildings, where bandwidth demands are at their highest and where there is the greatest likelihood of electromagnetic interference from other building services, such as high-voltage power cables, which often run close by network cabling.

 

While it is relatively easy to tap into copper cables and read the data running over them, it is difficult to do this with optical signals running over fibre. Many organizations that need secure networks, such as government and defense installations, already make extensive use of optical networks, sometimes right to the desktop.

PLC Splitter VS. FBT Coupler

We use fiber optic splitter to distribute or combine optical signals in many applications,

we have one question:Shall I use PLC or Fused Coupler ?

 

 

When we do comparison, we need to do comparison for devices of the same split-ratio. 

 

 

Insertion loss and uniformity vs. wavelength 

 

The figure 1 shows the insertion loss plot of a standard 1×8 PLC splitter from 1250 to 1650 nm. You can observe the maximum insertion loss including the water-peak in E band region(1360 to 1460 nm) and also the excellent uniformity out of this plot.

 

Typical value is 9.8dB for insertion loss and 0.5dB for uniformity. 

 

A 1×2 fused coupler insertion loss plot is showed in the figure 2.if you analyze the operating wavelength range from 1250 to 1650 nm as for PLC splitter you will still find an overall good performance level. But that’s a single 1×2 fused coupler, so you are not comparing the same devices. 

 

The 3rd plot represents the insertion loss spectral behavior for 1×8 fused coupler. To fabricate a 1×8 fused coupler device each arm have to be manufactured using 3 cascaded (spliced) 1×2 couplers. it means that the “worst” arm could show 10.8dB insertion loss max and the uniformity will be 3dB. 

 

TDL (Temperature Dependent loss) 

 

Due to the manufacturing process and to the sensitivity of the fused region and of the splices integrated in the device, Fused coupler manufacturers have to specify also the TDL value. for a 1×2 Fused coupler, a typical value is +/10.15dB for a temperature range from -5 to +75 centigrade . At the first sight, it could look good, but we have here again to take into account the cascading effect. To make the comparison with 1×8 PLC splitter we have to multiply 0.15 by 3 (3 1×2 for each arm) to finally obtain 0.45dB.

 

 PLC splitter works from -40 to 85 centigrade with a typical TDL of out +/- 0.25dB (-5 to 75 centigrade:+/-0.15dB)

 

 Please note that this TDL effect is already included in the Max. insertion loss specifications available on data sheets.

 

 PDL (Polarization dependent loss)

 

 An lon-exchange PLC splitter shows a PDL much less than 0.2 dB independently from the split-ratio. A 1×2 fused coupler PDL ranges from 0.1 to 0.15dB.Also in this case, we have to cascade discrete 1*2 Fused coupler to obtain the desired split-ratio, Then also PDL will be increased.

 

 A 1×8 fused coupler will show up to 0.45dB PDL, what is more than the double of a 1×8 PLC splitter.

 

 Reliability

 

 As previously explained, to fabricate a 1×8 fused coupler, you need 7discrete 1×2 couplers and 6 splices. The risk of failure of a device, normally calculated by parameter called FIT(failure in time), is typically low for a single 1×2 fused coupler, but in the case of a 1×8 fuse fused coupler ,it has to be at lease multiplied by 7 and in addition to add the risk associated to the massive presence of splices in the circuits. As everybody knows, a splice is a potential failure point in a system to be minimized a s much as possible.

 

 At the contrary, a PLC splitter knows only 2 critical points: input and output

Introduction of SUNMA OP-5000 Fiber Polishing Machine(MPO/ MTP)

The 5000 also has fully programmable pressure and speed ramp rates for slow starting the polishing process. It also has programmable film change counters and maintenance section for alerting operators when to change film or provide service to the machine. If the number of connectors loaded into the polishing fixture is less than the default that has been programmed, the automatic pressure adjustment feature allows the operator to enter the actual number of connectors loaded. The required pressure is then automatically recalculated to ensure that the individual connector force remains constant regardless of the number of connectors assumed in the process definition.

The SUNMA OP-5000 Fiber Polishing Machine also provides the capability to copy and store your processes to a CompactFlash memory card. The CompactFlash card can be used to backup your defined processes and to copy processes from one machine to another. This not only saves process setup time for each machine, but also ensures consistent process settings.


Features:

PC-Based Full-Color Touch Screen Programmable Interface for defining and storing unlimited processes and for easy-to-use, error-free operation

CompactFlash Card Technology used for machine-to-machine process replication and process backup

Automatic Pressure Adjustment to account for a varying number of connectors inserted in the polishingfixture

Operator Step-by-Step Prompts for film, pad type, and lubricant

Password Protection of system configuration, process configuration and process transfer modules

Force, Speed, and Time Displays on the touch screen panel for feedback of process step specific settings

Programmable pressure and speed ramp for slow starting polishing cycle

Programmable film change counter

Programmable maintenance section

Pneumatically-Controlled Polishing Pressure provides consistent polishing force regardless of ferrule length

Pivoting Overarm provides easy cleaning of fixtures between steps and quick change of fixtures

Cable Management System routes cables away from the polishing activity

Standard 5" Platen with 8" Option provides flexibility in fixture capacity and polishing film size

Drip Tray swivels in for quick and easy cleaning of fixtures between steps

Robust Design uses the highest-quality materials machined to nano tolerances

Quick-Change Fixtures support all industry standard connector types, both single and multiple fiber

Available in English or Mandarin language

If any option which is not indicate in your Ordering, please write your option or request in your ORDER to Fiber-Mart, and contact with us.

Various Applications of PLC Splitter

Various Applications of PLC Splitter

by Fiber-MART.COM

PLC splitter or planar lightwave circuit splitter is a passive component that has the special waveguide made of planar silica, quartz or other materials. It is employed to split a strand of optical signal into two or more strands. PLC splitter also has lots of split ratios, and the most common ones are 1:8, 1:16, 1:32, 1:64, 2:8, 2:16, 2:32 and 2:64. Products usually accord with Telcordia GR-1209-CORE, Telcordia GR-1221-CORE.YD/T1117-2001 standards. There are many types of PLC splitters to meet with different needs in OLT and ONT connection and splitting of optical signals over FTTH passive optical networks.

Importance of PLC Splitter

PLC splitter is especially important in FTTH networks, which shares a single PON network with many subscribers. Having no electronics and power in PLC splitter, it is very cost-effective to provide reliable light distribution solutions. Unlike FBT (fused biconical taper) splitter, PLC splitter has a better performance that offers accurate splits with minimal loss in an efficient package. Some typical types are widely used in optical network applications, i.e. bare fiber splitter, blockless splitter, ABS splitter, fan-out splitter, tray type splitter, rack-mount splitter, LGX splitter and mini plug-in type splitter.

 

Applications

Bare Fiber PLC Splitter

Bare fiber PLC splitter has no connector at the bare fiber ends. It can be spliced with other optical fibers in the pigtail cassette, test instrument and WDM system, which minimizes the space occupation. It is commonly used for FTTH, PON, LAN, CATV, test equipment and other applications.

 

Blockless PLC Splitter

Likewise, blockless PLC splitter has a similar appearance as bare PLC splitter. But it has a more compact stainless tube package which provides stronger fiber protection, and its fiber ends are all terminated with fiber optic connectors. Connectors are commonly available with SC, LC, FC and ST types. Thus, there is no need for fiber splicing during installation. Blockless PLC splitter is mainly used for different connections over distribution boxes or network cabinets.

 

ABS PLC Splitter

ABS PLC splitter has a plastic ABS box to protect the PLC splitter to adapt to different installation environments and requirements. Common splitter modules are 1×4, 1×8, 1×16, 1×32, 1×64, 2×4, 2×8, 2×16, 2×32. It is widely used with outdoor fiber distribution box for PON, FTTH, FTTX, PON, GOPN networks.

 

Fanout PLC Splitter

PLC splitter with fan-out is mainly used for 0.9mm optical fiber where the ribbon fiber can convert to 0.9mm optical fiber through fan-out. 1×2, 1×4, 1×8, 1×16, 1×32, 1×64, 2×2, 2×4, 2×8, 2×16, 2×32, 2×64 fanout types are all available with PLC splitters. Fiber adapters can also be used for the input and output ends of this kind of splitters to directly meet the demand on smaller size of splitters.

 

Tray Type PLC Splitter

Tray type PLC splitter can be regarded the fiber enclosure which contains PLC fiber splitter inside a enclosure. It is often directly installed in optical fiber distribution box or optical distribution frame. FC, SC, ST & LC connectors are selective for termination. Tray type PLC splitter is an ideal solution for splitting at the places that are near OLT or ONU.

 

Rack-mount PLC Splitter

Rack-mount PLC splitter can be used for both indoor and outdoor applications in FTTx projects, CATV or data communication centers. It uses the 19-inch rack unit standard to contain the PLC splitter inside a rack unit.

 

LGX PLC Splitter

LGX PLC splitter or LGX box PLC splitter has a strong metal box to house the PLC splitters. It can be used alone or be easily installed in standard fiber patch panel or fiber enclosure. The standard LGX mental box housing provides a plug-and-play method for integration in the network, which eliminates any risk during installation. No filed splicing or skilled personnel is required during deployment.

 

Mini Plug-in Type PLC Splitter

Similar to the LGX PLC splitter, mini plug-in PLC type splitter is its small version with a compact design. It is usually installed in the wall mount FTTH box for fiber optic signal distribution. Using the mini plug-in PLC type splitter saves time and space but still provides reliable protection for the fiber optic splitter.

 

Conclusion

These types of PLC splitters are typically installed to serve for PON and FTTH networks. 1xN and 2xN are the common splitter ratios for specific applications. You should choose the most suitable one according to your project. Hope this article provides some help.

ONT-Optical Transport Network

ONT-Optical Transport Network

by Fiber-MART.COM

Optical Transport Network (OTN) based on wavelength division multiplexing technology is the next-generation key transmission network. The technology matures and the application of IP traffic transmitted on the network and other based on the explosive growth of data services in packet transmission, transmission capacity requirements continue to increase rapidly, Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) technology and optical amplifiers (OA) transmission network to the optical transport network based on optical networking technology. Based on the OTN transport network will allow people to expect intelligent optical network gradually become a reality for network operators and customers to provide safe and reliable, effective price, the customer has nothing to do, manageable, maneuverable and efficient next-generation optical transport platform.

 

History & Status

The optical transport network for IP services, has become an important issue in the next step in the development of optical communication adapter transmission demand for IP services. The optical transport network from a variety of angles and multiple solutions compatible with existing technology, due to the large number of applications of the SDH equipment, in order to solve the processing and transmission of data services, based on SDH technology research and development MSTP equipment in the network, and has a large number of applications compatible with the existing technology, but also to meet the data transfer function of the business. But with the increase of data traffic particles and more detailed requirements for processing power, the business on the transport network, the demand for both: the one hand, the transmission network to provide a large pipeline, then the generalized OTN technology (in the electric field is OTH, in the optical domain ROADM) provides a new solution, it solves the SDH-based VC-12/VC4 the cross particles too small, the scheduling is more complex and does not meet the needs of large particles service delivery, in part, to overcome the WDM positioning difficulties of system failure, the main point to point connection, networking, network capacity is weak, and can provide network survivability means and weak shortcomings; the other hand, the business of light transmission network more detailed processing requirements, the industry solution for packet transport network, and is currently involved in major technologies, including the T-MPLS and PBB-TE.

 

With the network business is a growing demand for bandwidth, operators and system manufacturers have been constantly consider the problem of improving the transmission technology of the business.

 

The evolution of the digital transmission network from the initial first generation of digital transmission network based on T1/E1, has experienced the development of the currently third-generation digital transmission network in OTN-based second-generation SONET / SDH-based digital transmission network. The first and second transmission network initially to support voice services specifically designed to also be used to transmit data and images business, but the transmission efficiency is not high. In contrast, the third-generation transport network technology, designed to support voice, data and image services, with the other protocols can support the bandwidth allocated on demand (BOD), can be cut and the quality of service (QoS) and Optical Virtual Private function of the network (OVPN).

 

In 1998, the International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) formally proposed the concept of the OTN. From the functional point of view, the OTN in the subnet can be transmitted in the form of all-optical, optical – electrical – optical conversion in the subnet boundary. In this way, each subnet can 3R regenerator join, so as to constitute a large optical network shown in Figure 1. Therefore, OTN can be seen as a transitional application of the evolutionary process of the transmission network to all-optical networks.

 

Advantages

 

The primary advantages of OTN include:

Enhanced OAM for wavelengths

Universal container supporting any service type

Standard multiplexing hierarchy

End-to-end optical transport transparency of customer traffic

Multi-level path OAM

Enables network convergence

Reliable

Interoperable – ITU standard

Cost-efficient

SONET/SDH timing hierarchy

Flexible

A brief introduction of fiber optic splitter?

A brief introduction of fiber optic splitter?

by Fiber-MART.COM

The fiber optic splitter is also referred to as beam splitter, which is an integrated waveguide optical power distribution device. It plays an important role in passive optical network by allowing a single PON interface to be shared among many subscribers. To achieve this, it is designed to split an incident light beam into two or more light beams and couple the light beams to the branch distribution as an optical fiber tandem device, which has the function to maximize the performance of network circuits.

 

The Characteristics of Fiber Optic Splitter

The fiber optic splitter can be terminated with different forms of connectors, and the primary package could be box type or stainless tube type. The first package is usually used with 2mm or 3mm outer diameter cable, the other is normally used in combination with 0.9mm outer diameter cables. Besides, it has variously different split configurations, such as 1×2, 1×8, 2×32, etc. With the development of the splitter manufacturing technology, the fiber optic market can support the high-technical splitter used in the network where the split configurations are 2×64 or larger at present.

 

According to the different transmission medium, there are single-mode fiber optic splitter and multimode fiber optic splitter. For multimode ones, the phrase implies that the fiber is optimized for 850nm and 1310nm operation. For single-mode ones, the phrase means that the fiber is optimized for 1310nm and 1550nm operation. Meanwhile, based on working wavelength difference, there are single window and dual window fiber optic splitters. The single window fiber optic splitter is to use one working wavelength, while the dual window fiber optic splitter is with two working wavelengths.

 

In general, a fiber optic splitter has many input and output terminals to attain the branch of the light beams and maximize the functionality of optical network circuits, which plays an important role in passive optical network (EPON, GPON, BPON, FTTX, FTTH and so on).

 

How Does the Fiber Optic Splitter Work?

 

The fiber optical splitter is a passive optical device that can split, or separate, an incident light beam into several light beams at a certain ratio. As a simple example, Figure 1 shows how splitter with 1×4 split configurations can separate an incident light beam from a single input fiber cable into four light beams and transmit them through four individual output fiber cables. For instance, if the input fiber optic cable carries 1000 Mbps bandwidth, each user in the end of output fiber cables can use the network with 250 Mbps bandwidth.

 

As for the fiber optic splitter with 2×64 split configurations, it is more complicated than the splitter with 1×4 split configurations. There are two input terminals and sixty-four output terminals in the fiber optic splitter with 2×64 split configurations. Its function is to split two incident light beams from two individual input fiber cables into sixty-four light beams and transmit them through sixty-four light individual output fiber cables.

 

What should be noted is that the ejected light beams may or may not have the same optical power as the incident light beam. The designer would better to take it into consideration when designing the passive optical networks.

 

Two Types of Fiber Optic Splitters Classified by Manufacturing Technique

 

On the basis of different manufacturing technique, the fiber optic splitter can be divided into two types, which are popularly used nowadays. One is the traditional fused type optical splitter, fused biconic tapered (FBT) splitter, which features competitive prices; and the other is planar lightwave circuit (PLC) splitter, which has compact size and suits for high-density applications. Both of them have the advantages and can be used in different applications.

 

Fused Biconic Tapered (FBT) Splitters

 

The FBT splitter (See Figure 2) is fabricated by the traditional technology with over 20 years history. Its manufacturing technique is relatively mature and the manufacturing cost is lower than PLC splitter, so that the FBT splitter can be deployed in a cost-effective manner in today’s fiber optic market.

 

In the manufacturing process of FBT splitter, there are two or more fibers placed closely together, typically twisted around each other and fused together by applying heat while the assembly is being elongated and tapered. The fused fibers are protected by a glass substrate and then protected by a stainless steel tube. Meanwhile, there is a signal source controls the desired coupling ratio to meet the requirements in applications.

 

Nowadays, FBT splitters are widely used in passive optical networks, especially in the network where the split configuration is not larger than 1×4. In fact, there is a slight drawback of FBT splitter, the split configuration. Detailedly, if more than four splits are required, multiple FBT splitters can be spliced together in concatenation to multiply the amount of splits available, like a tree splitter. By using this design, the package size increases due to multiple FBT splitters and the insertion loss also increases with the additional splitters. Therefore, if high split counts are needed, small package size and low insertion loss are also required, you are suggested to choose a PLC splitter, instead of the FBT splitter.

 

Conclusion

 

With the fast development of optical network, more and more experts attach great importance to the fiber optic splitter, and try to optimize its function as much as possible. As a result, the fiber optic splitters becomes diversiform with different design aims, which can be used in different applications. fiber-mart.com provides a variety of fiber optic splitters which suit for many applications, all of them are tested in-house prior to shipping to guarantee that they will arrive in perfect physical and working condition. We also guarantee the fiber optic splitters to work in your system with a lifetime advance replacement warranty. Your choice is our motivation. Welcome to fiber-mart.com.

FIber-mart Useful Fiber Optic Termination Tools

FIber-mart Useful Fiber Optic Termination Tools

by Fiber-MART.COM

As you can see, fiber-mart.com is a worldwide leading manufacturer & supplier of fiber optic products. We now can provide a plenty of fiber optic components and network equipment there. And even for fiber optic tools, we can provide lots of that kind of products. Here today I would like to introduce our fiber optic termination tool to you.

What is termination? According to the Wikippedia, you can find nearly 20 different uses and meanings of this word. But here in the fiber optic termination tool which used in fiber cabling, the termination is the preparation of the end of a fiber so that it may be connected to another fiber or device. And a fiber optic termination tool can be used for varying purposes, and it can be used in the following process: First, using a chemical solvents or mechanical strippers to strip the buffer and coating material from fiber before being cleaned with alcohol, second, we have to using a metal or diamond blade to nick the fiber before the tension which applied causing it to break, the third procedure is using grit abrasive paper to polish the fiber until the fiber end is smooth, and the four procedure comes to using a microscope (be better with high power pixel, so you can see it clearly) to inspect the end of fiber which to insure that the end of fiber is really smooth, then let’s come to last step, we have to attach the connectors to the fibers or splicing them to make them joined together.

 

Btw, as there are so many types of fiber optic termination tools, so we come up with an idea that put some models of this tool in a kit, that is what call the Optical Fiber Termination Tool Kits or Fiber Optic Termination Tool Kits, which may helps the electrical personnel a lot, because it is more convenient for them to carry and save their time of searching different kind of termination tools. fiber-mart.com provides various types of Fiber optic tools Kits which are very important in the fiber optic installation and maintenance works, and these tool kits contains the latest popular fiber optic tools and consumable material necessary for splicing, test fiber, cleaning, polishing, termination and so on. Welcome to our website for further consideration.

Use CWDM Or DWDM to Multiplex Your Fiber?

Use CWDM Or DWDM to Multiplex Your Fiber?

by Fiber-MART.COM

CWDM vs DWDM

 

CWDM scales to 18 distinct channels. While, DWDM scales up to 80 channels (or more), allows vastly more expansion. The main advantage of CWDM is the cost of the optics which is typically 1/3rd of the cost of the equivalent DWDM optic. CWDM products are popular in less precision optics and lower cost, less power consumption, un-cooled lasers with lower maintenance requirements. This difference in economic scale, the limited budget that many customers face, and typical initial requirements not to exceed 8 wavelengths, means that CWDM is a more popular entry point for many customers.

Buying CWDM or DWDM is driven by the number of wavelengths needed and the future growth projections. If you only need a handful of waves and use 1Gbps optics, CWDM is the way to go. If you need dozens of waves, 10Gbps speeds, DWDM is the only option.

 

Using a WDM(Wavelength Division Multiplexing) for expanding the capacity of the fiber to carry multiple client interfaces is a highly advisable way as the physical fiber optic cabling is not cheap. As WDM widely used you must not unfamiliar with it, it is a technology that combines several streams of data/storage/video or voice protocols on the same physical fiber-optic cable, by using several wavelengths (frequencies) of light with each frequency carrying a different type of data.

Ultimately, the choice to use CWDM or DWDM is a difficult decision, first we should understand the difference between them clearly.

 

Two types of WDM architecture available: Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing (CWDM) and Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM). CWDM/DWDM multiplexer and demultiplexer and OADM (Optical Add-Drop Multiplexer) are common fit in with Passive. With the use of optical amplifiers and the development of the OTN (Optical Transport Network) layer equipped with FEC (Forward Error Correction), the distance of the fiber optical communication can reach thousands of Kilometers without the need for regeneration sites.

 

CWDM, each CWDM wavelength typically supports up to 2.5Gbps and can be expanded to 10Gbps support. The CWDM is limited to 16 wavelengths and is typically deployed at networks up to 80Km since optical amplifiers cannot be used due to the large spacing between channels. CWDM uses a wide spectrum and accommodates eight channels. This wide spacing of channels allows for the use of moderately priced optics, but limits capacity. CWDM is typically used for lower-cost, lower-capacity, shorter-distance applications where cost is the paramount decision criteria.

 

The CWDM Mux/Demux (or CWDM multiplexer/demultiplexer) is often a flexible plug-and-play network solution, which helps insurers and enterprise companies to affordably implement denote point or ring based WDM optical networks. CWDM Mux/demux is perfectly created for transport PDH, SDH / SONET, ETHERNET services over WDM, CWDM and DWDM in optical metro edge and access networks. CWDM Multiplexer Modules can be found in 4, 8 and 16 channel configurations. These modules passively multiplex the optical signal outputs from 4 too much electronic products, send on them someone optical fiber and after that de-multiplex the signals into separate, distinct signals for input into gadgets across the opposite end for your fiber optic link.

 

Typically CWDM solutions provide 8 wavelengths capability enabling the transport of 8 client interfaces over the same fiber. However, the relatively large separation between the CWDM wavelengths allows expansion of the CWDM network with an additional 44 wavelengths with 100GHz spacing utilizing DWDM technology, thus expanding the existing infrastructure capability and utilizing the same equipment as part of the integrated solution.

 

DWDM is a technology allowing high throughput capacity over longer distances commonly ranging between 44-88 channels/wavelengths and transferring data rates from 100Mbps up to 100Gbps per wavelength.

 

DWDM systems pack 16 or more channels into a narrow spectrum window very near the 1550nm local attenuation minimum. Decreasing channel spacing requires the use of more precise and costly optics, but allows for significantly more scalability. Typical DWDM systems provide 1-44 channels of capacity, with some new systems, offering up to 80-160 channels. DWDM is typically used where high capacity is needed over a limited fiber resource or where it is cost prohibitive to deploy more fiber.

 

The DWDM multiplexer/demultiplexer Modules are made to multiplex multiple DWDM channels into one or two fibers. Based on type CWDM Mux/Demux unit, with optional expansion, can transmit and receive as much as 4, 8, 16 or 32 connections of various standards, data rates or protocols over one single fiber optic link without disturbing one another.

FTTH Promote The Surge In Demand For Optical Network Testing

FTTH Promote The Surge In Demand For Optical Network Testing

by Fiber-MART.COM

Testing is an important means to enhance network quality, network construction, an important means of operators. Test on the one hand, to ensure the consistency and stability of the business, at the same time can be effectively promoted the maturity of the industry.

 

Currently, the test is not only limited to test network equipment, more and more important for the business and user perception test. Therefore, testing techniques, testing tools developed laboratory environment to build all aspects of test quality assurance will affect the results of the entire test.

 

In the field of fiber optic communications, with China Mobile completed 100G network test now, “Broadband China” strategy forthcoming FTTH being the country vigorously. Fiber optic communication testing methods and techniques are changed with the change of network.

 

FTTH test can be roughly divided into the construction, maintenance, fault diagnosis phases. FTTH three wavelengths (1310nm, 1490 nm and 1550 nm) loss during the construction phase, the test focus. The optical splitter in a PON will bring a larger loss (such as a 1:32 optical splitter loss will be greater than 15dB), not only makes the light generating loss downlink, the uplink of the light will produce substantially the same loss. Splitter implementation techniques vary, making each optical path loss may exist differences, in order to strictly limit each optical path loss within the budget is a challenge.

 

Optical return loss is one of the difficulties of the current test. Optical return loss is not only a loss of energy, but also lead to the originator laser instability. Recommendations based on the ITU-TG.983 and G.984 series, optical return loss values should be in both directions. PON-based FTTH OTDR put forward new demands, requires not only support the 1490nm wavelength testing, but also with penetrating optical splitter. In addition, FTTH fiber optic cable transmission distance is shorter, but the introduction of the high loss of optical splitter requirements OTDR dynamic range wide enough selection of shorter OTDR dead; joints more requirements, high linearity.

 

In large-scale FTTH deployment phase, testing will be very heavy instrument automation has become one of the factors to be considered. fiber-mart.com’s FOT-930 test instrument developed for this demand, the user simply one-button operation can be completed in the 10s three wavelengths (1310nm, 1490 nm and 1550 nm) bi-directional loss, optical return loss and fiber length test and automatically store test results.

 

Activation and maintenance, fault diagnosis stage, the most commonly used test instruments PON power meter. EPON or GPON system using time division multiple access technology, OLT and ONT need to activate in order to work, PON power meter has to trigger tests optical power capacity and support meter needs different optimization. FTTH construction early will also face business opened the challenges, many links need to manually construction service activation, as well as the opening of a long cycle, poor customer perception. Troubleshooting link, the failure rate and the declaration of DSL-more than twice the proportion of regional centers for processing, the door-to-door high.

The Application of Fiber Optic Connector

The Application of Fiber Optic Connector

by Fiber-MART.COM

Fiber Optic Connector has been widely used in fiber optic transmission lines, fiber optic patch panels and fiber-optic test instruments and meters. The Fiber Connector is one of the most essential components for fiber optic communication. It mate or connect with optical devices, modules, and fibers. Fiber connector is also the key part used in fiber Patch cord and fiber Pigtail.

 

In fiber optics design, when the system is capable of normal operation, if you are trying to build the local network or LAN in your home then you most probably know you will need a fiber patch cable and may be a hub or we achieved a very good results. Choosing a good fiber optic modem depends on a few factors, including availability. We need to consider not only some unexpected problems appear in the system design, but also expect the system to achieve the effect of normal operation. During the process of system design, we have to consider the worst case appear and related plans, is looking forward to improved operating results. In system design, security, stability and system access request the end of the fiber is smooth, neat. The connection between the clients must be accurate, micron accuracy or millionths of a meter. The diameter of the commonly used multi-mode fiber is from 50 to 62.5 microns, while the diameter of the single-mode fiber is only 8-9 microns. This size of the diameter of a human hair can (17-180 microns) are compared in diameter, and we can make sure that every trace of error can bring catastrophic losses.

With the expansion of technology development and application of fiber optic patch cables are also achieving rapid development. The types of fiber optic connectors on the market are probably 12 or more, each of which was launched to the specific needs, of course, came to meet, there are some technical limitations. The trend in the market is developing at a moderate price, compact plug-mode and all can support the requirements of the new transmission distribution system. As users expect that the ongoing development of the telecommunications industry also supports the large-scale application of the optical fiber, in large part due to the rapid growth of demand in the way of communication and entertainment services on the fiber link.

 

The fiber optic connection is very stringent accuracy of the equipment, the species of fiber patch cords are many kinds. So the connector must be very clean. Fiber optic connectors and accessories are usually mounted on a series of house, a fingerprint or external dust seriously affect the performance of the connector, and even the loss of communication. Therefore, the connector can be stored in clean protective sleeve without connection. Then we should also put fiber optic connector.

 

Fiber optic connectors according to the different transmission media can be divided into common silicon-based optical fiber single-mode and multimode connectors, as well as other issues such as plastic and as the transmission medium of optical fiber connector; connector structure can be divided into: FC SC, ST, LC, D4, DIN, MU, the MT and so on in various forms. The optical interface is the physical interface used to connect fiber optic cable. fiber-mart.com as the main professional fiber optic products manufacturer in china offer a various kinds of fiber optic connectors, FC Connectors, LC Connectors, SC Connectors, ST Connectors. You can buy fiber optic connection products on our store with your confidence. All of fiber optics supplies with high quality but low price.

Brief introduction of OTN

Brief introduction of OTN

by Fiber-MART.COM

The SONET/SDH network has grown to be the backbone of most of the modern telecommunications network that was originally designed for optical interfaces that used a single wavelength per fiber. As optical component technology has advanced, it has become more economical to transmit multiple SONET/SDH signals over the same fiber using wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) instead of going to a higher rate SONET/SDH signal. Based on experience with the SONET/SDH networks, the ITU-T defined the optical transport network (OTN), which was optimized for cost-effective transparent transport of a variety of client signals over WDM networks. This article may introduce some knowledge of OTN to you.

 

What Is OTN?

OTN is a standard for optical transport (G.709) developed by the ITU-T standards body, and is sometimes also called a “digital wrapper.” While OTN isn’t necessarily new as a protocol, it is new as a topic in the optical industry for many people. OTN adds operations, administration and maintenance (OAM) functionality to optical carriers, specifically in a multi-wavelength system such as dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM). It provides the network management functionality of SDH and SONET, but on a wavelength basis. The OTN is flexible in terms of frame size and allows multiple existing frames of data to be wrapped together into a single entity that can be more efficiently managed through a lesser amount of overhead in a multi-wavelength system.

How Does OTN Work?

The OTN frame is very similar to a SONET frame in its structure and format. There are three overhead areas in an OTN frame: the Optical Payload Unit (OPU), the Optical Data Unit (ODU), and the Optical Transport Unit (OTU). One additional feature is the inclusion of a Forward Error Correction (FEC) function for each frame. The FEC improves the Optical Signal-to-Noise Ratio (OSNR) by 4 to 6 dB, resulting in longer spans and fewer regeneration requirements. A client signal is mapped into the OPU payload, with the OPU overhead providing information on the type of signal mapped into the payload and the mapping structure. The ODU overhead adds optical path-level monitoring, alarm indication signals, automatic protection switching bytes, and embedded data communications channels (GCC1/GCC2). The ODU is the basic payload that is electronically groomed and switched within an OTN network. The OTU overhead adds bytes to provide optical section layer PM, alarm indication, and the GCC0 data communications channel. The OTU represents a physical optical interface or port, such as an OTU2 (10 Gbps), OTU3 (40 Gbps) and OTU4 (100 Gbps).

 

OTN Application Migration

Originally, the G.709 digital wrapper was primarily used for transporting 10 Gbps wavelengths, enabling improved performance due to the FEC and improved OAM due to the OTN overhead bytes and standard frame structure. Lower rate signals, such as 4 x OC-48 and 8 x GbE were simply multiplexed into 10 Gbps payloads and then encapsulated into the OTN frame. Since each vendor had their own method of multiplexing lower-rate signals into 10 Gbps wavelengths, there was no way to share these aggregate 10 Gpbs wavelengths in large multivendor networks. This lack of common underlying mapping structures forced carriers to demultiplex each 10 Gbps or 40 Gbps wavelength at every core aggregation node and at every network boundary, which was very inefficient and costly. OTN standards evolved to include a standard multiplexing hierarchy, defining exactly how the lower rate signals map into the higher-rate payloads. This allows any OTN switch and any WDM platform to electronically groom and switch lower-rate services within 10 Gbps, 40 Gbps, or 100 Gbps wavelengths, without the need for external wavelength demultiplexing and manual interconnects. Below is a simplified OTN mapping diagram. A 2.5 Gbps signal (OC-48) is mapped into an OTU1 frame. Four of these 2.5 Gbps signals can be mapped into an OTU2 frame.

 

Conclusion

OTN has evolved over the last few years to be the preferred technology for building DWDM back-bone and long distance optical networks for carriers. It offers unified optical encapsulation layer, OTU2, into which all the common 10G interfaces are mapped into. In addition, the embedded FEC is defined by the OTN layer improves the link budget and OSNR in long distance optical network frequently based on optical amplifiers (EDFAs). The demand for high speed data services continues to be rising, as carriers and service providers try to accommodate customers’ demands for high throughput broadband services, therefore WDM based on OTN will be more and more widely deployed. fiber-mart.com provides a full range of WDM mux/demux solutions to help you build cost-effective and reliable optical transport network.