XENPAK Transceiver Modules Overview

by Fiber-MART.COM

Over the years of 10GbE’s existence, there have been numerous different form factors and optics types introduced. Although the newest SFP+ transceivers offer a much smaller form factor and the ability to offer 1G/10G combo ports on hardware for the first time, the oldest form factor XENPAK remains very popular as the install base is large.

fiber-mart XENPAKBecause of continued breakthroughs in component-level integration, it became possible to package a “transponder” in increasingly smaller packages. At the same time, a market need arose for systems with more than one 10 Gbps optical port on a single optical interface card and an interest to leverage the same “hot pluggability” feature that was available with the SFP modules that covered lower data rates. The density and pluggability issue was in particular true for 10GbE applications but also for SDH/SONET applications.

A new MSA became available, called the XENPAK-MSA, to address the above-mentioned market needs. XENPAK MSA was instigated by Agilent Technologies and Agere Systems, that defines a fiber-optic or wired transceiver module which conforms to the 10GbE standard of the IEEE 802.3 working group. The MSA group received input from both transceiver and equipment manufacturers during the definition process. XENPAK has been replaced by more compact devices providing the same functionality. The XENPAK MSA was publicly announced on March 12, 2001 and the first revision of the document was publicly released on May 7, 2001. The most recent revision of the MSA, Issue 3.0, was published on September 18, 2002. The result covered all physical media dependent (PMD) types defined by the IEEE at that time for 802.3ae 10GbE.

Although the XENPAK agreement received early support, its modules were thought to be overly large for high density applications. As of 2010, vendors generally changed to use XFP modules for longer distances, and Enhanced small form-factor pluggable transceivers, known as SFP+ modules, for higher densities. The newer modules have a purely serial interface, compared to the four “lane” XAUI interface used in XENPAK. Like the move from GBIC to SFP, the move from XENPAK to SFP+ seems inevitable. However, XENPAK modules are still needed in the market currently.

The XENPAK housing is equipped with two SC optical connectors, and its board attachment scheme requires a cut-out in a PCB with alignment to a mating PCB connector. Unlike the SFP pluggable device, the XENPAK package was intended to be fully EMI compliant; hence a cage or guidance system is not required. An industry standard 70-pin electrical connector provides the electrical interface. The input and output data signals are transmitted according to a new electrical interface specification, called XAUI, which was defined in IEEE 802.3ae. In short, the XAUI interface specification is based on four bidirectional lanes carrying 3.125 Gbps per channel. This setup simplified electrical trace management on the host PCB board relative to the 300-pin transponder, which required 16 parallel electrical channels per 10 Gbps optical signal. However, it also required that each trace carry a higher data rate. In order to simplify design and layout, additional overhead processing was added to the signal with which to correct for signal integrity challenges in the host PCB. The four 3.125 Gbps XAUI lanes give an aggregate bandwidth of 12.5 Gbps in order to transmit a 10.3125 Gbps optical signal.

While use in SDH/SONET applications was foreseen in principle, most versions are specifically aimed at 10GbE applications, where large volumes were expected.

Many tranceiver users faced difficulties applying XENPAK devices, mainly due to the module’s size, required board cut-out, and associated thermal issues. The market requested that an alternative smaller sized package be defined that would not require a board cut-out. Three solutions have been proposed: XGP, X2 and XPAK. The application area is the same as for XENPAK, 10GbE and Fibre Channel, but SDH/SONET applications are also foreseen.

The XGP concept has since been abandoned due to lack of agreement on a specification.

The two remaining and competing MSAs are the X2 and XPAK. These were developed around the middle of 2002, both using the same 70-pin electrical interface connector that was required for XENPAK. However, unlike the XENPAK, both the X2 modules and XPAK modules require a guiding/cage system. Both of the packages are of smaller size than XENPAK. The first parts available to the market were intended for 10GbE applications, and the input and output data signals are according to the XAUI specification as for XENPAK. Versions accommodating SDH/SONET STM-64/OC-192 applications are also foreseen, where the electrical interface would be addressed with four 2.5 Gbps data signals based ipon the OIF SFI4 Phase 2 based electrical interface specification.

Why Recommend Fiber Over Copper in 2017?

by Fiber-MART.COM

2018 is coming in less than a month, looking back, in the communication field, the old remaining dilemma between fiber and copper is still left behind. People are struggling about whether they should hold on to the tried-and-tested copper cables that are sufficient so far, or make the leap into the future, and go fiber optic. From a technical perspective, the case for switching to fiber is growing ever stronger. Using a fiber system will lead to more bandwidth, reliability, less down time and end up saving you money. Today’s article will make you understand the trend for switching to fiber.

 

More Bandwidth, Faster and Longer

 

People are aware that fiber optics is winning out over copper because of its higher performance, namely more bandwidth, faster speed and longer link distance.

 

Bandwidth decides how much data you can receive and send. Copper cable that can be used for 10 Gigabit cabling, and 100 Gigabit cables is at the point of topping out, but these data rates can be sent only for very short distances between servers in data centers. While with fiber you can transmit more data over greater distances, and if you’re preparing for fiber now, you’ll also start to see remarkable differences in the not too distant future.

 

Have you ever though of the reason why fiber can transmit at higher speed for longer distances then copper cables? In short, copper cable uses the electric waves to carry the signal data, the phrase of the wave are modulated in sophisticated patterns to try and send as much data as possible through the continuous signal. This works well for low amount of data, but the copper cable will start to break down if you get to higher bandwidths and greater distances. As for fiber cable, it uses light to carry signals with transmitters and receivers at both ends. Light loses much less power than an electrical signal, so fiber can send data over much greater distances.

 

Fiber is More Reliable Than Copper

 

Besides the above reasons, another big reason that makes enterprises choose to use fiber other than copper is the reliability of the fiber optic system. If you put too many copper wires in close proximity, or just put them near any significant power sources, the signals can be easily interfered and read by others. Brazilian E-Voting machines were compromised using Van Eck Phreaking, with hackers able to read secret votes through these side-band electronic-magnetic emissions from the machines.

 

But fiber doesn’t suffer from the same problems as copper, so maintenance issues are rare. You can put multiple fiber optics next to each other and there won’t be any interference, and you can route them wherever in your building and they’ll still work perfectly. In fact, fiber can be routed through a building near power line conduits without any degradation of the signal. Therefore, it is not the good choice to still stay at copper wire because of its crosstalk where data from one wire gets mixed up with data on another.

 

Fiber is Safer

 

There are also safety issues, for people and equipment, with copper cabling which are no doubt at the forefront of your tech’s mind when they are telling you to go for a fiber installation. Any misconfiguration of your system, or out of the blue power surge, and having everything wired together with copper suddenly becomes a serious problem. For example, a lightening strike jumped through copper cabling between buildings, can destroy all the electrical equipment in both buildings.

 

Light doesn’t leak, and if it does you’ll know about it. Someone splicing into the fiber will leave a tell-tale signal as the attenuation will drop, just as when fiber is damaged. Using a testing technique called optical-time domain reflectometry, you can easily find where someone has spliced into the system and hunt the spies down!

 

In general, it’s also easier to test if something does goes wrong. The way light travels through glass is better understood than how electricity flows through copper, so any diagnostics are straightforward.

 

Fiber is More Flexible Than Copper

 

Fiber optic cable is composed of a thin, flimsy strand of glass, which is very delicate, needing installation by specialists in white gloves. And it can be destroyed by any clumsy-fingered techie thereafter. However, it is stronger than copper cables (made of a thick cord of metal).

 

Even though the fiber optic cable is lightweight and thin, it can be pulled through buildings with more force than copper, and can take a dunking in water, and is more flexible so can negotiate tricky building geography. All the while being lighter and thinner than copper, so it can be installed with more ease anywhere in your building.

 

Because it’s so lightweight and thin, it takes up less space, and is easier to handle. If you want to scale a copper wired system then you need more and more of bigger and bigger cabling. With an optical system, there is almost no difference in size between the diameter and weight of different size fibers, and because a smaller fiber can carry so much more data than copper cables, you need less overall.

 

Fiber Will Cost You Less

 

When people suggest you switching to fiber, you might not think that they take budget into account, but in the long run, fiber optic system will cost your company less.

 

Because fiber is more resilient, there is less downtime on the network. Because of all the maintenance and legacy issues with copper wires, you’ll always have downtime while an ISP technician is down a manhole somewhere splicing together copper cables that have been damaged.

 

There’s also less hardware to go with the fiber optic system. Because data can be transmitted over fiber for longer distances, you don’t need the extra power boosters, junctions, and terminals that are needed for copper cabling. Your fiber can be brought directly to your office with no need for multiple connections.

 

Fiber is new technology that is constantly evolving and a hot area of research. We believe that in 2017, fiber optic based system will be more popular among users.

Connecting the World: Fiber Optic Cables

by Fiber-MART.COM

Today’s technology lets us call someone on the telephone or send an email to anyone with an email address and Internet connection, instantly. People’s lives are more connected than ever through the Internet and other technologies that make communication easier than it has ever been. But have you ever wondered what makes this possible?

 

Fiber Optic Cable

 

Since the development of fiber optic cables, fiber has become the preferred method for transporting nearly every kind of information around the world. Fiber optic cables are stretched out across the world, even traveling underneath oceans, creating a huge network of cables sending information across continents. According to an article written by Thomas B. Allen for National Geographic, the United States alone is estimated to have about 35 million miles of fiber optic cables connecting the country. Each cable is capable of transferring about 4-8 terabits of information every second. That is equal to about 68,000 hours of music or 2000 hours of movies per second.

 

What Are Fibers?

 

So how are these cables able to transfer so much information in such little time? The fibers that make up each cable make this possible. Inside each cable there are over a hundred fiber strands of purified glass, each thinner than a human hair. A laser on one end of the fiber flashes several billion times every second, with every flash signifying either a 1 or 0. The light travels through the glass, reflecting off the walls of the glass until it reaches a device on the other end of the cable that converts the laser flashes into binary code that can be read by computers.

 

Another way of understanding how the laser travels through the fiber is to imagine what happens when you shine a light into a stream of water. Imagine shining a flashlight, in the dark, at the bottom of a bottle of water as you start to pour out the water. As the water exits the bottle, you can see the light traveling with the stream, even as the stream of water bends. This phenomenon is what inspired Jean-Daniel Colladon to first create the idea of fiber optics in the 1840’s.

 

Fiber vs. Copper

 

Fiber Optic CablesThere are many networks today that still use copper cables instead of fiber optic cables, although copper cables are not as effective or efficient as fiber. There are several reasons for upgrading to fiber optic cables. The main advantage is that fibers can send information much faster than copper, and the technology is still developing, meaning that even faster transfer speeds are possible in the future. When sending information over large distances, the signal begins to fade and requires an amplifier to regenerate the signal in order to reach its destination. Fiber optic cables experience less signal loss than copper, which means they do not need as much amplification. Copper cables can sometimes produce electromagnetic interference, which can disrupt the network. Also called “alien talk,” this happens when copper and phone cables are placed too close to each other. Because fiber cables only use light, they do not create the same interference. Fiber optic cables are also much more durable than copper cables and do not need to be replaced as often.

 

Fiber cables have their shortcomings as well. They can be fragile if they are improperly installed. They are also a more expensive investment than copper cables initially. However the increased efficiency and reduced need for maintenance help save money long term and make fiber optic cables a much better option than copper.

 

The Future of Fiber

 

Fiber optic cables have made communication throughout the world easier than ever and the technology continues to develop. In 2014, Dutch and American scientists worked together to create a new kind of fiber optic cable that can send information 2,550 times faster than the current fiber optic cables being used. That could mean downloading entire movies in less than a second. The scientists even believe that this new cable can carry the entire Internet by itself. According to one of the scientists, the new cable is capable of “allowing 21 times more bandwidth than currently available in communication networks.” Although this technology is not yet ready for widespread use, this shows just how quickly fiber optic cables are developing and the kind of impact they will continue to have on our lives. This is an exciting time for all of us, and as these technologies continue to develop, it is more important than ever to make sure we all keep up with them.

Maintance Methods Of Fusion Splicer Parts

by Fiber-MART.COM

The most common parts of a fiber fusion splicer include Electrodes and V-Grooves. Fusion splicers are dependent upon high-quality electrodes to focus that critical arc of electricity. As the electrodes wear from use, electrodes gradually worn and lead to weaker splices and higher splice losses. Cleaning electrode is part of the essential maintenance of fusion splicer and will not restore the performance of the fusion splicer as electrodes need to be replaced.

 

Always replace fusion splicer electrodes as a pair. For optimal performance, electrodes should also be aligned when they are replaced. This is a tuning process to maximise the performance of your splicer.

 

The Maintance Methods Of Fiber Fusion Splicer Parts:

1. Electrical welding electrode life is generally about 2000, after a long time the electrode will be oxidized, resulting in the discharge current is too large leaving the splice loss value increases. You can remove the electrodes, medical cotton wool dipped in alcohol to gently wipe and then install the fusion splicer, and discharge cleaned once. If repeated washing, the discharge current is still too large, it shall replace the electrode.

 

Replace the electrode first remove the protection of the electrode chamber cover, loosen the screws fixed on the electrode, remove the upper electrode. Then release the top wire fixed to the lower electrode, remove the lower electrode. Installation of new electrode opposite action of the demolition order, require two electrode tip clearance: 2.6 ± 0.2mm, with the optical fiber symmetry. Under normal circumstances electrode is not required to be adjusted. Not touch the tip of the electrode in the replacement process, prevent damage, and should avoid the electrodes to fall inside the machine. After replacing the electrode to carry out calibration of the arc position.

 

Care of the electrode used for a long time, the tip of the electrode will produce sediment discharge poor, then there will be a “hissing” sound, then need to clean the electrode. The recommended the regular welding machine electrodes care that clean the electrode.

 

2. 4 clean V-shaped groove welding machine tune the core direction of the upper and lower driving range each only tens of microns, slightly foreign body will make the fiber image deviation from the normal position, resulting in normal alignment. At this time the need for timely clean the V-groove:

 

a. Off the windshield of the welding machine.

 

b. Open the fiber optic pressure head and the clamping platen.

 

c. Stick with a cotton swab dipped in anhydrous alcohol (or sharpened toothpick) single wipe in a V-Groove Fiber Aligner.

 

Note: Avoid using hard objects to clean the V-groove or V-groove on the force, to avoid bad V-groove or V-groove inaccurate, resulting in the instrument can not properly use.

 

Proper use of Fusion Splicer is to reduce an important guarantee of the optical fiber splice loss and key links. You always should be strictly in accordance with the instructions of the welding machine and operational procedures. And properly set the welding parameters according to the type of fiber (including pre-discharge current, time and the main discharge current, the main discharge time). Do as above, the working life of your fusion splicer certain can be longer.

Why choose fiber optic cleaning products?

All the clean freaks out there, we know what goes through your head when something does not seem clean even when you wipe it spotless. Little fragments of dust seem to be present throughout. In fact dust, dirt, oil and other particles can block signals of your fiber optic network by accumulating on the optic connectors. That is why fiber optic cleaning is the future; it is efficient in its own way and does a lot of work for its money to reduce downtime of any network.

There are different types of cleaner available in the market but let us discuss one here that is commonly used and it is fiber optic cleaning fluid.

There is no alcohol present. While some people argue that alcohol helps germs and dust particles to come off completely. The alcohol doesn’t mix well with the fiber optics and instead causes it to block the signals on its connectors. While alcohol removes germs, it can also attract new forms of dust on products.

It is environmentally safer. Due to its double filtration and alcohol free formulas, it poses no threat to the environment. These fiber cables are non toxic and non flammable so they carry no risks of potential danger anyways.

You can take it on travel anywhere and everywhere, its non hazardous nature is approved by travel authorities and it is very convenient as it is properly sealed and it is not pressurized. It is extremely economical as well. Any average person can buy this and make it worth their money with unlimited shelf life.

In this day and age, fiber optics have become a fundamental part of our lives and maintaining it that way is very important task that we need to fulfill. Repeated connection and disconnection leaves debris in the bulkheads of the different compartments, which if not attended to, can cause a major problem.

There are different types of cleaning involved in fiber optic cleaning.

• There is dry cleaning, meaning without the use of any sort of solvent

• There is wet cleaning that involves a solvent

• Non-abrasive cleaning, which involves the material not touching the fiber optic connectors and are merely air dusted.

• Then there is abrasive which is basically the opposite of non abrasive and involves wiping on the surfaces of the fiber optic.

Overall, this is the best product you can get for your money as it includes the necessary qualities to properly clean and get the job done.

Guide to Select Waterproof Fiber Optic Patch Cable?

Guide to Select Waterproof Fiber Optic Patch Cable?

by Fiber-MART.COM

Fiber optic waterproof cables are widely used in outdoor applications to connect the major fiber optic lines or receivers or splice enclosures. According to different requirements, both fiber optic patch cords and fiber optic pigtails are available. Water proof fiber cable usually adds a water blocking material between the outer jacket and the inner fiber (or inner jacket) to protect the fiber surface from unwanted damage, such as an armored cable or loose-tube gel-filled cable, or water-tolerable tight-buffered cable. Since there are different types of structure for waterproof cables, is there an easy way to determine which waterproof fiber optic patch cable to choose? In order to help select a right waterproof fiber optic cable quickly, this post will introduce the basic knowledge of waterproof ratings and the features of our waterproof fiber optic cable.

How Is a Waterproof Cable Rated?

Like choosing any other fiber optic patch cables, the connector type, fiber count, fiber type (single-mode or multimode), polish type, cable length and cable jacket are factors that should be considered as well. When buying waterproof fiber optic patch cords, the IP (International Protection or Ingress Protection) rating is an important parameter. Knowing the IP code can help you find your wanted waterproof cable.

IP rating system is a classification showing the degrees of protection from solid objects and liquids. IP rating codes do not include hyphens or spaces, and consist of the letters IP followed by one or two figures. The first number refers to the degree of protection against the entry of foreign solid objects, such as dust. These protection levels range from 0 to 6. The second number of the IP code refers to the degrees of protection against moisture/liquids, which are raging from 0 to 8. The first and second number of the IP code can be replaced by the letter “X” when the protection capacity against solid objects (the first number) or moisture (the second number) has not been tested, for example, IPX7 and IP6X.

Features of fiber-mart.com Waterproof Fiber Optic Patch Cable

fiber-mart.com provides IP67 waterproof fiber optic patch cable, including simplex, duplex, 12 fibers, 24 fibers, and various kinds of connect interfaces are optional, such as LC-LC fiber patch cord, SC-SC fiber patch cord, MPO-MPO fiber patch cord, etc. Other degrees of waterproof fiber optic patch cords can also be customized. Our waterproof fiber patch cables are designed with strong PU jacket and armored structure, which can resist high temperature and fit for harsh environment. Our IP67 waterproof fiber patch cords are featured with high temperature stability and low insertion loss. It is also very convenient to install these waterproof, dust-proof and corrosion-resistant patch cords. The plug and socket design can be used to extend the cable length. They are very suitable for FTTH (fiber to the home) and LAN (local area network) applications.

 

Conclusion

The IP code for waterproof devices is not that difficult to understand and you can get some basic information about the protection degree of a device after you know the meaning of each number. You can use it as a reference in choosing a waterproof cable, but you should also consider other factors according to your specific applications.