BOON OF USING FIBER OPTIC CABLES OVER COPPER CABLES

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 to Test Fiber Optic Cables by OTDR

OTDR, full name of which is optical time-domain reflectometer is one of the most popular method of testing the light loss in the cable plant. In most circumstance, it also indicate an fiber optic testing instrument to characterized the optical fibers. OTDRs are always used on OSP cables to verify splicing loss or locating damages to the fiber optic cables. Due to the decline in the OTDR price over recent years, it is more and more applied by technicians for the system installation process.

 

OTDR testing

 

OTDR uses backscattered light of the fiber to imply loss, which is an indirect measurement of the fiber. OTDR works by sending a high power laser light source pulse down the fiber and looking for return signals from backscattered light in the fiber itself or reflected light from connectors or splice interface. OTDR testing requires a launch cable for the instrument to settle down after reflections from the high powered test pulse overloads the instrument. OTDRs can either use one launch cable or a launch cable with a receive cable, the tester result of each is also different.

 

Test With Launch Cable Only

A long lauch cable allows the OTDR to settle down after the initial pulse and provides a reference cable for testing the first connector on the cable. When testing with an OTDR using only the launch cable, the trace will show the launch cable, the connection to the cable under test with a peak from the reflectance from the connection, the under testing cable and likely a reflection from the far end if it is terminated or cleaved. Most terminations will show reflectance that helps identify the ends of the cable.

 

By this method, it can not test the connector on the far end of the under testing cable since it is not connected to another connector, and connection to a reference connector is necessary to make a connection loss measurement.

 

Test With Launch And Receive Cable

By placing a receive cable at the far end of the under testing cable, the OTDR can measure the loss of all factors along the cable plant no matter the connector, the fiber of cables, and other connections or splices in the cable under test. Most OTDRs have a least squares test method that can substract out the cable included in the measurement of every single connector, but keep in mind, this may not workable when the tested cable is with two end.

 

During the process you should always keep in mind to start with the OTDR set for the shortest pulse width for best resolution and a range at least twice the length of the cable you are testing. Make an initial trace and see how you need to change the parameters to get better results.

 

OTDRs can used to detect almost any problems in the cable plant caused during the installation. If the fiber of the cable is broken, or if any excessive stress is placed on the cable, it will show up the end of the fire much shorter than the cable or a high loss splice at the problem locations.

 

Except OTDR testing, the source and optical power meter method is another measurement which will test the loss of the fiber optic cable plant directly, The source and meter duplicate the transmitter and receiver of the fiber optic transmission link, so the measurement correlates well with actual system loss.

How important is cleaning your optical fibers?

A high percentage of fiber optic transmission problems are the result of contaminated connectors and couplers. Dirt not only impacts the speed and performance of a network, but also damages equipment.

 

As a manufacturer of fiber optic cables Datcom is keenly aware of the implications of improper cleaning of end faces and recommends the following points to ensure that your fiber networks are always up and running. 

 

Dust caps are for protection only and do not mean that the fiber inside is clean. 

Inspection of ferrules with a scope is a must and if possible used with an analysis software. Even the most experienced technician cannot visually determine the cleanliness of a fiber. 

 

Do not use alcohol when cleaning fiber. It is hygroscopic which means it attracts water molecules from the air. 

Use a wet to dry cleaning process to avoid electrostatic attraction. 

Use an optical grade cleaning fluid for the static to dissipate. 

 

Use optical grade lint free wipes that have high absorbency and strength. 

Use cleaning sticks that are made from multiple fibers and can spread and contact the entire surface of the end face when port cleaning. 

 

Proper installation practices, coupled with advanced inspection procedures and professional cleaning products will not only save a technician repeated onsite visits and time. But also eliminate customer complaints along with loss of confidence and money. 

Applications for Outside Plant Fiber Optic Cables

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Inside plant refers to the cabling running inside a building. Similarly, outside plant is the cabling running outdoors. Outside plant cables are thicker because of more durable insulation jackets. As for fiber optic communication, there are many types of outside plant fiber optic cables. Some have extra protections to prevent corrosion and other elemental interference. Outside plant fiber optics are widely used in telephone networks, CATV, metropolitan networks, utilities and so on. If you want to choose the right outside plant fiber optic cable, its applicable environment is an important factor for consideration. This post will introduce some common outside plant fiber optic cables and typical outdoor application environments.

 

Several Types of Outside Plant Fiber Optic Cables

Outdoor Breakout Cable

Outdoor breakout cable is perfect for rugged applications and installations that require increased performance. It is usually made of several bundled simplex cables wrapped in a common cable jacket. The fungus, water and UV protections and temperature durability are beneficial to its outside applications. Its design of individual fiber reinforcement enables the quick termination to connectors and omits the use of patch panels or boxes. With much less termination work, outdoor breakout cable is more cost-effective when small fiber counts and short distances are required.

 

outside plant cable -breakout-outdoor-cable

 

Outdoor Loose Tube Cable

Outdoor loose tube cable has the gel-filled design protecting the cable from moisture environment. The gel within the loose-tube construction stops the penetration of water and keeps it away from the fiber. Also, it keeps water from freezing near the fiber at low temperatures which reduces the chance of stress fractures. Fibers are bundled inside a small plastic tube that can protect fibers from outside stresses. Outdoor loose tube cable is often used in conduits, strung overhead or buried directly into the ground.

 

outdoor-loose-tube-cable

 

Outdoor Ribbon Cable

Outdoor ribbon fiber optic cable has high fiber counts and small cable diameter. It contains the most fibers in the smallest cable. These fibers are laid out in rows as ribbons, and ribbons are laid on top of each other. Likewise, it also has gel-filled protection to block outside water. Ribbon cable makes installation much faster and easier since mass fusion splicers can join a ribbon at once.

 

outdoor-ribbon-cable

 

Outdoor Armored Cable

Outdoor armored cable is a direct buried type that prevents itself from animal bite. The metal armoring between two jackets effectively prohibits rodent penetration. Outdoor armored cable can be divided into light armored and heavy armored types. The former has the protective plastic jacket with the same durability and longevity of a stainless steel cable with a lighter weight. The latter is wrapped in a wire circle to be applied for underwater regions that near shores and shoals.

 

outdoor-armored-cable

 

Outside Cable Plant Applications

Outside cable plant deployment can be implemented in many environments. Above-ground, underground, buried and underwater are the typical applications.

 

Above-ground Cable Plant

Above-ground cable plant can be exposed to extreme temperatures, and to humidity that varies with the seasons and with daily temperature changes. Cables under such circumstances should be durable to adapt to extreme weathers and water penetration.

 

Underground Cable Plant

Underground cable plant usually applies cables in underground structures including the utility holes, controlled environmental vaults, ducts and so on. The condition in utility holes and ducts sometimes can be corrosive because of man-made chemicals. Cables with corrosion-proof materials are perfect for this environment.

 

Buried Cable Plant

Buried cable plant applies cables directly into the soil. Cables can also be exposed to the same corrosive environment as underground plant. But animal bite is an additional problem. Cables for this application should be very tough to endure both chemical corrosion and animal attack.

 

Underwater Cable Plant

Underwater cable plant are located beneath the surface of water. The water can range from relatively pure to brackish, or to badly contaminated with industrial effluent. Cables for underwater plant are extremely rugged, with fibers in the middle of the cable inside stainless steel tubes and the outside coated with many layers of steel strength members and conductors for powering repeaters.

 

Conclusion

Unlike indoor cables, outside plant fiber optic cables must be wrapped in different layers to withstand the severe installation conditions. Choosing the right kind of outdoor cable can save you a great deal for long-term maintenance. And your project application is an important aspect that will affect the selection of fiber optic cables.

Fiber Optic Cables Bring Great Communication Services

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Fiber optic technology has paved the way for a new type of technology and its effects on home services. Everything from TV, phone, and even internet services have been positively altered due to the advancements brought on by fiber optic technology. With internet services in particular, this new form of connection allows for the internet to go in a direction that it has not always been able to go. Fiber Optic Internet is a step forward toward an unstoppable internet connection.

 

Optical communication motivation began with the invention of the laser in the early 1960s. Since then, the technology has evolved at the speed of light. Optical technology has advanced so fast that it has become the information conduit of the world. The transmission of data, voice and media is distributed at the speed of light over a mesh of glass fibers that span thousands of kilometers throughout the world. Fiber optic cables have developed to various types, mutimode fiber cable and single mode fiber cable are the basical one.

 

Multimode fiber allows multiple rays/modes to couple and propagate down the fiber at the same time. Large core fiber is attractive due to the ease in which light can be coupled into the fiber, greatly reducing transmitter design and packaging costs. Multimode fiber is sensitive to dispersion, which tends to limit an optical system’s distance and bandwidth. Multimode fiber can be stepped-refractive-index-profile, or graded-index-profile. While, single-mode fiber has an advantage of higher capacity/bandwidth and is also much less sensitive to the effects of dispersion than multimode fiber. It is also possible to incorporate wavelength division multiplexing techniques to further increase the transmission capacity of a single-mode fiber.

 

Fiber Optic Internet creates a different kind of online user experience as compared to other types of connections. No longer do users worry about losing connectivity during operations because of the quality of the transmission. Fiber optic technology also allows users to eliminate waiting for pages to load, messages to send, and images to appear. An overall more comfortable surfing experience is provided by fiber optic technology. With the increased popularity of social media sites and live content sites, a fiber optic connection allows users to more completely engage and interact. This type of internet connection is more able to meet the increasing demands of today’s internet-heavy society.

 

All fiber optic cable manufacturers diverse fiber cables but their item literatures should be cautiously studied so as to assess which variety of fiber cables they specialize in. Want to buy fiber optic cable, recommend you FiberStore, who provdes really high quality cables with reasonable price.

Everything you need to know about fiber optic cables

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You’ve started a project to upgrade your network but not sure of what fiber cables you need. Should the cables be single-mode or multi-mode? Is there a specific length or speed needed? All of these questions are great to ask as you prepare your network project and think of future upgrades. Here is everything you need to know about fiber cables including the newest fiber type, OM5.

 

There are primarily two types of fiber optic cabling in the IT space.  Those two types of fiber optic cable are single-mode and multi-mode.  An optical fiber cable is constructed of a core (inner layer), cladding (layer around the core), and jacket (coating around the cladding).  Some layers of protective sheathing are added depending on the application and environment.

 

Single-mode fiber optic cables have a typical core size of 8.3 to 10 microns (in diameter) and a cladding size of 125 microns.  Single-mode cables are normally used in long distance applications with lasers for the optical transmission devices.  OS1 and OS2 are the standard types of single-mode fiber cables.  Both types of fiber cables are built to perform between 1310 nm and 1550 nm, but the OS2 types of cables have a better transmission performance especially over longer distances.

 

Multi-mode fiber optic cables have a typical core size of either 50 microns or 62.5 microns.  They have a cladding size of 125 microns.  Shorter cables distances, especially in data centers, are common uses for multi-mode cables.  Multimode cables are typically manufactured to certain specifications and are classified by Optical Mode categories.  These Optical Modes are known as OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4, and OM5.  OM1 fiber optic cables have a 62.5 micron core size.  All the other OM types listed below have 50 micron core sizes.

 

OM5 is the newest type of multi-mode fiber optic cables, and it is backwards compatible with OM4.  This type of fiber was formerly called Wideband Multi-mode Fiber.  OM5 is constructed to perform outside the normal operating bands of typical multimode cable.  It can support wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) between the wavelengths of 850 nm and 953 nm.  OM5 fiber cabling can transmit at least 4 wavelengths in the 850 nm to 950 nm range.

 

OM4 fiber optic cables are a fairly new type of fiber cables as well.  This color of fiber cables has been used for the past couple of years in Europe.  The reason for this was mainly to distinguish between aqua OM3 cables and aqua OM4 cables.  The new violet color of cables helps with this quick distinction.

 

How Do Fiber Optic Cables Bend Light?

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Fiber optic cables quickly send signals across long distances in the form of light. Each cable is made up of thin strands of glass called “fiber optics,” pieces of glass that send signals using light. Fiber optic cables are useful because they use light, rather than electricity, meaning that other electronic devices in the area will not cause them interference. Many large-scale scientific projects, like hardron particle colliders, use fiber optic cables to send signals quickly.

 

Light, as you probably know, travels in waves, spreading straight out in a cone from its point of origin. But how do you get light to bend around corners, running through the length of the fiber optic cable?

 

Bending Light with a Mirror

 

If you wanted to shine a light down a narrow hall, you could simply aim the light at the end of the hallway. The beam would spread out with distance, so you might need to adjust your focus, but you should have no problem hitting the end of the hallway.

 

But what if the hallway bends? How can you get the light around the corner? Simple: use a mirror to reflect the light.

 

Total Internal Reflection

 

Fiber optic cables uses a similar principle to send light signals. It’s called “total internal reflection.” This means that no matter where you send the light signal in the fiber optic cable, the light will be reflected internally and contained within the tube. This ensures that fiber optic cables will have no problems bending as they send light across long distances.

 

Signal Loss and Wavelength

 

Fiber optic glass cannot be perfectly pure, which means that the signal will necessarily degrade over time. The rate of signal decay depends on two factors: the wavelength of the light and the purity of the fiber optic glass.

 

Wavelength Explained

 

Let’s talk about what wavelength means. In physics, there are two different ways to talk about light: the light that we see and the light that we can measure mathematically. Light, as I mentioned, is waves, so physics measures light in terms of the length of these waves in nanometers. Our brain interprets these wavelengths as different colors.

 

Infrared

 

The wavelengths used for fiber optics are typically much longer than visible light. Typically the wavelengths range between 850 and 1550 nanometers. This invisible spectrum of “long” light is called infrared (the opposite end, the wavelengths too short for us to see, are called ultraviolet).

 

Attenuation and Scattering

 

When these infrared waves are transmitted across fiber optic cables, the glass (as I mentioned) slows down or weakens the transmission. This attenuation of the infrared light happens in two ways: absorption and scattering. Absorption occurs because of minute vapor particles trapped inside the fiber optic glass. Scattering, by contrast, happens when the infrared light bounces off atoms or molecules in the glass.

 

The length of infrared light reduces scattering and absorption, helping the signal stay clear.

 

Why Not Use Even Longer Light Waves?

 

You might be wondering: If the length of the waves reduces attenuation, why don’t we use even longer wavelengths for fiber optics? What sets the maximum threshold for wavelengths?

 

If we used lower frequencies, there would be heat interference. All things have a temperature, which means that everything will give off some degree of heat. Some of this energy given off as heat takes the form of infrared light. If we made the wavelengths any lower, the temperature of surrounding objects would cause interference, resulting in signal loss.

7 Advantages of Fiber Optic Cables Over Copper Cables

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When you’re planning a new network cable installation or considering upgrades to an existing network, you might want to consider using fiber optic cables.

 

Network fiber cables have some definite advantages over copper cables.

 

1. Greater Bandwidth

Copper cables were originally designed for voice transmission and have a limited bandwidth. Fiber optic cables provide more bandwidth for carrying more data than copper cables of the same diameter. Within the fiber cable family, singlemode fiber delivers up to twice the throughput of multimode fiber.

 

2. Faster Speeds

Fiber optic cables have a core that carries light to transmit data. This allows fiber optic cables to carry signals at speeds that are only about 31 percent slower than the speed of light—faster than Cat5 or Cat6 copper cables. There is also less signal degradation with fiber cables.

 

3. Longer Distances

Fiber optic cables can carry signals much farther than the typical 328-foot limitation for copper cables. For example, some 10 Gbps singlemode fiber cables can carry signals almost 25 miles. The actual distance depends on the type of cable, the wavelength and the network.

 

4. Better Reliability

Fiber is immune to temperature changes, severe weather and moisture, all of which can hamper the connectivity of copper cable. Plus, fiber does not carry electric current, so it’s not bothered by electromagnetic interference (EMI) that can interrupt data transmission. It also does not present a fire hazard like old or worn copper cables can.

 

5. Thinner and Sturdier

Compared to copper cables, fiber optic cables are thinner and lighter in weight. Fiber can withstand more pull pressure than copper and is less prone to damage and breakage.

 

6. More Flexibility for the Future

Media converters make it possible to incorporate fiber into existing networks. The converters extend UTP Ethernet connections over fiber optic cable. Modular patch panel solutions integrate equipment with 10 Gb, 40 Gb and 100/120 Gb speeds to meet current needs and provide flexibility for future needs. The panels in these solutions accommodate a variety of cassettes for different types of fiber patch cables.

 

7. Lower Total Cost of Ownership

Although some fiber optic cables may have a higher initial cost than copper, the durability and reliability of fiber can make the total cost of ownership (TCO) lower. And, costs continue to decrease for fiber optic cables and related components as technology advances.

FIBER OPTICS PREDICTING LANDSLIDES

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Over the years, there have been a number of ways developed in an attempt to figure out how it might be possible to predict landslides. One of the more recent to appear happens to utilize fiber optic cables to create something like a nervous system, or more accurately a spider web that can be monitored for vibrations to determine if a landslide is going to occur. Of course, it may not seem like much to learn to predict landslides, but actually thousands die every year because of rock falls and landslides and this is just one of many technologies that can help assist people in avoiding those problems all together.

 

The device that is currently used to determine problems with landslides is called an electronic inclinometer and is placed on slopes that are considered a major risk, but only notifies us when the slope’s angle is changed from what it was originally. This gives us little more than minutes to do anything about it, and that means anyone already there has no warning or time to react. This is what led to new methods being sought out.

 

Instead, this new system would be implanting modules of fiber optic cables all around slopes that are problematic, then as any of the soil shifts or any pressure is built into tensile strain the modules will catch it and relay it back to someone, which can give upwards of a few hours or more for action to be taken. These fiber optic modules are also far sturdier than the inclinometer, which means less damage done to them as well when a slide occurs.

 

This version with fiber optics was also developed after an idea about using acoustic sensors in the mountains could help determine when I slide might occur. So far, the fiber cables seem to be more effective, but scientists are still doing their best to determine what other kinds of options they have with predicting landslides to save more people.

COMMON USES FOR FIBER OPTIC CABLES

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Fiber optic cables have been around for years now, but over the last decade or two, companies have come up with all sorts of ways to put them to good use. Fiber optic cables contain a few thousand optical fibers inside of them, and they are used to transmit data by utilizing light. They have changed the way that information is sent all over the world, and in the coming years, they are going to be used even more than they already are today. Let’s take a look at some of the most common uses for fibers optic cables.

 

INTERNET

Because fiber optic cables are able to take incredibly large amounts of data and move them quickly, they are primarily used by those who use the internet. Data used to be moved around through the use of copper wires, but those wires weren’t equipped to move the data as quickly as fiber optic cables can do it. So there are more and more places that are turning to fiber optic cables for their internet needs.

 

TELEPHONE

People from all over the globe have always been able to keep in touch by using the telephone, but they’ve never been able to do it as easily as they can do it today through the use of fiber optic cables. You can connect with anyone in the world faster when you rely on fiber optic cables, and you can have an entire conversation with someone without experiencing any lag or disruptions.

 

AUTOMOBILES

While most people think that fiber optic cables are only used for communications, there are lots of other practical uses for it as well. Those in the automotive industry rely on fiber optic cables when installing lighting and safety features in many of today’s cars. Fiber optics can provide excellent lighting without taking up much space, and they can also transmit information within the various systems located in vehicles quickly and effortlessly. It’s why so many car companies are starting to find interesting new ways to use fiber optic cables.

FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE LONGEVITY OF FIBER OPTIC CABLES

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Fiber optic cables are capable of transmitting data significantly faster than traditional copper cables. However, one thing that people have worried about when it comes to fiber optic cables taking the place of copper ones is durability. Fiber optic cables contain glass in them, which is why some people are concerned about how they’ll hold up over time.

 

The truth is that, when handled properly, fiber optic cables are a lot more durable than you might think. They’re designed to stand the test of time and should hold up for many years to come once they’re in place. Nevertheless, there are a few factors that can affect their longevity. Read about them below.

 

THE INITIAL STRENGTH OF FIBER OPTIC CABLES

One of the first things that can cut down on how long fiber optic cables last is the initial strength of the cables. There are some fiber optic cables that have tiny cracks in their surfaces when they’re first produced. It’s why it’s so important for fiber optic installers to test cables out at the beginning to make sure they’re in good shape.

 

THE INSTALLATION OF FIBER OPTIC CABLES

Another thing that can cut down on the longevity of fiber optic cables is the installation process that they go through. Fiber optic installers need to be careful about how they go about installing the cables. If they stretch them out too much while putting them into place, it can cause the cables to wear out quicker than they should.

 

THE ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS SURROUNDING FIBER OPTIC CABLES

No matter how strong fiber optic cables are or how careful fiber optic installers are about installing them, the environment surrounding the cables can take a toll on them. Extremely high and extremely low temperatures can both affect fiber optic cables and cause cracking. If moisture is able to make its way to areas where fiber optic cables are located, it can also cause the cables to break down quicker over time.

HOW FREEZING WEATHER AFFECTS FIBER OPTIC CABLES

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There are so many advantages that come along with using fiber optic cables over traditional copper ones. Fiber optic cables can transmit data significantly faster than copper ones. They’re also able to carry data over longer distances without experiencing any disruptions. Nevertheless, over the years, companies have found that there is one challenge associated with using fiber optic cables as opposed to copper cables. Freezing-cold temperatures seem to take a toll on fiber optic cables and cause them to stop working suddenly in some cases.

 

WHY IT HAPPENS

So, why does this happen? There is quite a bit of research that has been done on it, and it appears as though fiber optic cables are affected by cold temperatures whenever water is able to make its way into the ducts carrying the cables and freeze. The ice that forms around the fiber optic cables often causes the cables to bend, which affects the signals sent through the cables. In some instances, the signals are simply slowed down and degraded, but in others, the signals aren’t able to pass through the fiber optic cables at all. It can lead to fiber optic networks going down unexpectedly.

 

HOW IT CAN BE PREVENTED

The good news is that there are steps that can be taken to limit the impact that freezing-cold weather has on fiber optic cables. For starters, those installing fiber optic cables can be careful about where and how they’re installed. Burying fiber optic cables below the frost line, for example, often eliminates the threat of ice. There are also many companies that are using antifreeze gels and other products to prevent water from freezing in ducts carrying fiber optic cables along bridges and other structures. These products have proven to be useful when it comes to protecting fiber optic cables from the elements.

How Fiber Optic Cables Work & How Engineers Use Them To Send Messages

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first, let me show you how fiber optic cables work.

I have a bucket that I modified with a window in front and on the other side, I put a stopper in this hole right here. I have a bottle of propylene glycol, with just a little bit of creamer in it. A ring stand and of course a laser pointer. Now, keep your eye on this plug when I turn out the lights.

That’s wonderful. The light follows the liquid flow all the way to the bucket. Amazing. It does this because of total internal reflection. As the light enters the stream, it is reflected as soon as it hits the interface between here and liquid.

You can see here the first reflection and then the second and the third. This occurs because there’s a difference between the index refraction of the guide material, here propylene glycol, and the outside air in this case. Recall that anytime light strikes a surface, it can either be absorbed by the material, reflected from it or passed into and through it, the latter we call “refraction”.

It’s easier to see from a top view. Reflection and refraction could happen at the same time. But if a light ray hits the surface at an angle greater than the critical angle, it will be completely reflected and not refracted.

For this propylene glycol and air system, as long as a beam hits the surface at an angle greater than 44.35 degrees, measured from the normal, it will propagate down the stream via total internal reflection. To create the same effect in an optical fiber, engineers create a core of glass, usually pure silicon dioxide and an outside layer called “cladding,” which they also typically make from silicon dioxide but with bits of boron or germanium to decrease its index of refraction.

A one percent difference is enough to make fiber optic cables work. To make such a long, thin piece of glass, engineers heat a large glass preform. Its center is the pure core glass and the outside the cladding. They then draw or pull a fiber by winding the melt on to a wheel at speeds up to 1600 meters per second. Typically these drawing towers are several stories tall. The height allows the fiber to cool before being wound onto a drum.

One of the greatest engineering achievements was the first ocean spanning fiber optic cable called TAT-8. It extended from Tuckerton, New Jersey, following the ocean floor over 3500 miles until branching out to Widemouth, England and Penmarch, France.

Engineers designed the cable carefully to survive on the ocean floor. At its center lies the core. Less than a tenth of an inch in diameter, it contains six optical fibers wrapped around a central steel wire. They embedded this in an elastomer to cushion the fibers, surround it with steel strands and then sealed it inside a copper cylinder to protect it from water. The final cable was less than an inch in diameter, yet it could handle some 40,000 simultaneous phone calls.

The essence of how they send information through a fiber optic cable is very simple. I could have a pre-arranged signal with someone at the other end. Perhaps we will use Morse code and I just block the laser, so that the person at that end sees flashes that communicate a message.

To transmit an analog signal, like voice from a phone call along the cable, engineers use Pulse Code Modulation. We take an analog signal and cut it up into sections and then approximate the wave’s loudness or amplitude as best we can.

We want to make this a digital signal, which means discrete values of loudness and not just any value. For example, I will use four bits, which means I have 16 possible values for the loudness. So the first four sections of the signal could be approximated by about 10, 12, 14 and 15.

We then take each section and convert its amplitude to a series of ones and zeros. The first bar of value 10, when encoded, becomes one, zero, one, zero. We can do this for each section of the curve.

Now instead of looking at the green wave form or even the blue bars, we can think of the signal as a series of ones and zeros organized by time. It is that sequence that we send through a fiber optic cable of flash for one and nothing for a zero. Now of course, the exact method of encoding is known at the receiving end. So it is a trivial matter to decipher the message.

Now you may be wondering how a laser pulse can travel nearly 4000 miles across the ocean. It doesn’t without some help because the light will escape from the sides of the fibers. Look back at our propylene stream.

Here’s how the light attenuates as it travels. You can see here a narrow beam in the bucket that broadens a bit when it enters the stream and then after the first bounce, the beam leaves even broader than it entered. That’s because the interface with the air is uneven and the rays that make up the beam strike at slightly different angles.

When that beam makes its second reflection, those individual rays diverge even more. Until by the time it reaches the third bounce, many of the rays are no longer at the critical angle and can exit from the sides of the stream. Here it happens in a few inches but in fiber optic cables like TAT-8, the signal travels a stunning 50 kilometers before it needs to be amplified. Absolutely amazing.

What Makes Fiber Optic Cables Future Proof?

by www.fiber-mart.com

Internet connectivity over an optical cord has become a precious standard for fast and high-quality data transmission. This technology is relatively new. This new nature of it can leave some in a dilemma. Some would even be unwilling to invest in it. Some would still prefer go old school and use convention network cables.

 

Over the years, with the technical progress, even conventional cable has risen to new horizons. But, which technology is better? Both copper and glass or optical cords have their benefits. Both have unique features. If something is better for others does not necessarily make it better for you. So, the right question to ask is which means would suit your business?

 

Fiber Optics Cable

The conventional copper wires transmit data via electricity. Fiber wire relies on light. It does not transmit data through the flow of electrons. This enables much faster internet connection. In fact, it also enables handling of a higher bandwidth. Sometimes, even during the peak demand, the performance of fiber wire stands out.

 

The cost of optical deployment has seen a dramatic reduction recently. Moreover, the fiber optic cable is future proof. This gives it an edge over the use of copper cables. It surely has a better prospect in the world market. Let us compare fiber and copper on these five determinants to decide which one is better and suits your purpose.

 

Cost

As mentioned above, the cost of fiber components has seen a decrease recently. Once, the cost of optical cord was twice that of a copper wire. Now the cost difference is minimal. In fact, if we consider the overall cost, copper cable can get costlier. This is if we consider the cost of wiring closet. This includes cost of uninterrupted power source, data ground and HAVC (Hybrid Automatic Voltage Control). Overall, an all fiber LAN is more cost efficient than a copper-based network.

 

Bandwidth

Copper is sufficient for voice signals. Even though it has a limited bandwidth of up to 60Gbps. Fiber cords are capable to provide 1000 times as much bandwidth as copper. It can also travel for a longer distance in lesser time. In simple terms, a 500-meter fiber wire can transmit 1GHz. Whereas, a twisted pair copper wire (Cat 6) can transmit 500Mhz just up to 100 meters. Moreover, the signal loss is negligible in an optical cable. Copper has higher losses at higher frequencies. It is also noisy.

 

Transmission Speed & Distance

This is literally the battle between photons and electrons! Photons do not achieve 100% efficiency in achieving the speed of light. But, even with 31% slow speed, it is much faster than the speed of electrons. You cannot overlook the significant difference which exists between fiber and copper. Moreover, copper wires also have the limitation of 100 meters. This is not the case with fiber cables. In optics, the distance can range from 550 meters for 10 Gbps single mode and up to 40 Kms for multi-mode!

 

Reliability

Fiber optics is not susceptible to damages from the surrounding environment. Copper has the trait of losing quality over certain distance under conditions. In fact, if we use a fiber optic cable over the same distance, under the same condition, it would provide you reliable data transmission. Moreover, fiber is immune to environmental and climatic factors. Temperature variation or any electromagnetic variation will not tarnish its performance. Copper is sensitive to these factors. You can deploy fiber optic cables near industrial equipment without worry. Likewise, you can also lay down fiber into deep oceans.

 

Security

One can trap the electrical signals from the copper cable. In addition, it also radiates signals. If someone traps the signals, the entire system can fail. On damages, it gets difficult to identify the leakages. In case of a fiber wire, detection of a broken wire is easier. This is because several monitoring techniques are in practice for detecting its flaws. Copper wire can cause a short circuit which can even result in a fire.

 

Conclusion

The usage of fiber cable with its ever reducing cost and other advantages is making it future proof. Increase in bandwidth, ridiculous increase in transmission speed and many more features make it better and reliable medium for networking. It is one of the most significant mediums for innovative installations and upgrades.

EPOXY AND POLISHING TERMINATING FIBER OPTIC CABLES GUIDE

by www.fiber-mart.com

Article about how to terminate fiber optic cables with expoxy, which is the most cheap, fast and easy method among all the fiber cable termination ways. Go on read! When you have bulk fiber optic cables on hand and need to terminate it with the fiber optic connectors, there are several options for you to handle this job: Epoxy and polish, mechanical cleave and crimp, and the chemical permanent method, fusing splicing the pigtails. The aim of terminating the fiber optic cables is to provide protections for the stripped fiber end in the connector. Poor termination job will result in large optical loss, even cause damages to the connectors and adapters. Among all the method mentioned above, epoxy and polishing is the cheap, fast and easy and low optical loss, so it is welcomed by most cable installers. Follow the steps and see how to terminate fiber optic cables with the Epoxy.

 

First, prepare you cable by stripping the cable down to the bare fibers with a fiber stripper which you can get from FiberStore. After that, mix the epoxy resin and hardener that you have prepared ahead, and load them into a syrine( Ignore this step,if you are using a pre-loaded epoxy syringes). Now, it’s time to injuct the expoxy directly from the syringe into the connector ferrule.

 

Once you have prepared your connector with the epox, you re read to insert the fiber cable so that the cable is seated inside of the connector wall and the bare fiber core sticks out about a half an inch from the front of the ferrule. If your cable is jacked, you will need to use the cable crimping tool to protect the connector to the jacket and strength members of the cables. Two crimps would be necessary to finish the job properly.

 

The next step is curing the epoxy in the connectors. You may need to place the connected end into a curing holder first to make sure that the end of fiber will not get damaged in the process of curing. Then place the cable and curing holder into a curing oven, situate the connector to make the end is facing down, by doing which, it will ensure the epoxy does not come out of the back side of the connector and compromise the strength member of the cable. As to the curing time and the temperature,follow the instruction book of your specific epoxy.

 

Once the epoxy are cured sufficiently, cleave the excess fiber core with a fiber cleaver tools as close to the ferrule tips as possible while avoiding any sort of twisting motion. After that, remember to dispose the fiber clipping, which could easily end up in your skin or even in you eye or respiratory system.

 

After the cleaving and disposing jobs done, you are ready to move on to the next step, polishing the fiber end to a smooth finish. Get a fiber polishing machine to effectively remove any excess epoxy from the ferrule tip and buff out the imperfections on the face of the fiber. A coarse surface would cause the optical loss when the light is passing through it.

 

When you are satisfied with your polishing job, you are now prepared to clean the ferrule and fiber tip. With a wiper dipped in 99% reagent-grade alcohol, gently wipe the surface area of the ferrule and fiber tips, then, use another wiper to dry them. Remember, the two wiper should all be lint-free.

 

Now, your fiber optic cable is terminated. To measure if your job is done well or not, you can use a proper fiber inspection microscope to inspect the tip and then use an optical fiber cables tester for the loss measurement.

How The NSA Taps Undersea Fiber Optic Cables

by www.fiber-mart.com

The old saying goes that there’s more than one way to skin a cat, and that holds true for the NSA and the way it eavesdrops on global communications. In the latest round of leaks from Ed Snowden, the world’s most wanted ex-contractor reveals that it’s not just tech companies like Google and Microsoft that are willingly collaborating with the spooks – they’re also quite capable of helping themselves, tapping into the “internet’s backbone,” and siphoning off vast amounts of data from the undersea cables that make the web go round.

 

A report in The Atlantic details how British spies are running two rather blatant-sounding programs going by the names of “Global Telecoms Exploitation” and “Mastering the Internet”. The programs are said to be similar to PRISM, and fall under a larger operation called “Project Tempora”. According to documents leaked by Snowden, Tempora gathers up a seemingly ridiculous 21 million gigabytes of data every single day, which is then retained and analyzed for one month.

 

The Atlantic describes how this data is then shared between Britain’s GCHQ and the NSA, with more than 550 analysts working full time to sift through it all. In this case though, the risk towards our privacy is even greater than anything the NSA collects via PRISM, because tapping into undersea cables means that the agencies can gather the entire contents of communications, rather than just the metadata.

 

Speaking to security analyst Jacob Appelbaum, Ed Snowden relates how the GCHS is even “worse than” the NSA, because its system vacuums up all data indiscriminately, regardless of who it belongs too or what the content of that data is.

 

“If you had the choice, you should never send information over British lines or British servers,” stated Snowden.

 

The actual method through which GCHQ captures this data is still a matter of debate, although The Atlantic suggests that it probably involves some kind of “intercept probes” that are installed at various landing stations in the UK. These ‘intercept probes’ are said to be small devices capable of capturing the light sent down a fiber optic cable, bouncing that light around a ‘prism’, copying it, before allowing it to continue on its merry way.

 

A US government contractor called Glimmerglass is likely to have provided at least some of the technology that allows GCHQ to do this. Aviation Week reported that the company was carrying out similar interceptions on behalf of the US government back in 2010. Further, Glimmerglass has previously 

 

This is all thought to be fairly recent technology however. Previously, the only way that undersea cables could be accessed was by tapping into them directly. To fulfil this purposes, the USS Jimmy Carter submarine was apparently repurposed for the job. The sub apparently accesses the cables at “regeneration points”, where their signal is amplified and where the cables are no longer bundled, but can be accessed individually.