While talking about electrical applications, one may consider the tough copper because of its high conductivity and great tensile strength. But when it comes to telecommunication situations, here comes the fiber optic cable. Instead of braided or bundled metal, hair-thin fiber optic cables are glass or plastic strands, serving as the communication medium to send optical signals. Fiber optic connectors (e.g.. ST, SC, LC, MTP) are often attached to the fibers in a fiber optic cable, like SC fiber optic cable whose ends are capped by SC connectors. Nowadays, fiber optic cables have great use in many applications, and are sure to see even more growth in future. Now question occurs. Since more and more fibers are deployed in fiber optic systems, how to ensure the safety in fiber optic cable installation? This article is gonna to have detailed description about safety issues in installing fiber optic cable.

While installing fiber optic cables, it’s advised to avoid exposure to invisible light radiation carried in the fiber, and to have proper disposal of fiber scraps produced in cable handling and termination. Besides, the hazardous chemicals used in termination, splicing or cleaning must be handled safely. The following passages list the safety issues that should be followed.

• Eye Protection

It’s recommended to wear safety glasses with side shields. Certainly, the safety eyewear should comply with relevant requirements. In addition, after handling fiber optic cables, to wash hands thoroughly and carefully before touching eyes or contact lenses.

In no case should one look directly into the end of any optical fiber unless it is certain that no light is present in the fiber. The light used for signal transmission in fiber optics is generally invisible to the human eye, but may operate at power levels that do harm to the eye. Inspection microscopes can concentrate the light in the fiber and increase the danger. Keep in mind to use an optical power meter to verify that no light is present in the fiber. When using an optical tracer or continuity checker, look at the fiber from an angle at least 12 inches away from the eye to determine if the visible light is present or not.

• Proper Disposal of Fiber Scraps

During the termination and splicing process, the small scraps of bare fiber may occur. In such a case, these scraps must be disposed of properly in a safe container and marked according to local regulations, as it may be considered hazardous waste.

Under no circumstance can fiber scraps be dropped everywhere, like on the floor, since these scraps will stick in carpets or shoes and be carried elsewhere. The right way is to place them in a marked container or stick them to double-sided adhesive tape on the work surface.

After finishing installation, it’s imperative to clean the work area carefully and thoroughly. And it’s ill-advised to use compressed air to clean off the work area. Remember to sweep all scraps into a disposal container. Of course, one should carefully inspect clothing for fiber scraps when finish working with fiber.

It’s known that fiber particles can be harmful if ingested, so don’t eat, drink or smoke near the working area.

Because confined spaces, such as equipment vaults, manholes can contain toxic or explosive gases or insufficient air to sustain life, it’s better to work only in well-ventilated areas. Besides, because materials and chemicals used in installation processes may be hazardous, they must be handled properly. During splicing process, fusion splicers create an electric arc. Thus, one should ensure that no flammable vapors and no liquids are present.

After discussing safety issues wit h fiber optic cable installation, here goes to another issue. Actually, this issue closely related to fiber optic cable is the cleanliness. The small size of fiber optic cables makes them very sensitive to dust and dirt. Thus, in order to achieve the optimized performance, it’s of great importance to maintain the highest standards of cleanliness, including do the following thins: work in clean areas; keep protective dust caps on connectors, mating adapters, patch panels, or test and net- work equipment; don’t touch the ends of the connectors; use lint-free wipes and pure reagent grade isopropyl alcohol to clean connectors. Other solvents can attack adhesives or leave a residue. Cotton swabs or pads may leave threads behind and are not recommended. Surely, the test equipment should be cleaned periodically.

For safe installation, it’s advised to follow those tips mentioned above. Of course, the points listed in this text are not comprehensive, with only several common issues are talked about. (The premise of safe installation is to choose high-quality fiber cables. You can turn to Fiberstore, whose fiber optic cables available in many types are all test and quality assured, like LC to SC fiber patch cable. You can go there and have a look yourself.)

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It’s a truth that over the past couple of decades, fiber optics technology has grown tremendously, and has completely revolutionized communications. And today’s telecommunication market is surrounded by countless smart and sophisticated fiber optic products, like optical transceiver modules, patch panels, patch cords (e.g. LC LC multimode patch cord), and so on. Compared with copper wiring, fiber optics is more secure and features less electrical interference. It seems that fiber optics has become a part of everyday lives. Until now, the most prominent use of fiber optics today is the Internet, in which the information is sent digitally through fiber optics across the entire world. Certainly, this is just a piece of iceberg. Here goes other more fiber optics applications.

Telecommunication applications using fiber optics are widespread, ranging from global networks to desktop computers. These involve the transmission of voice, data, or video over distances of less than a meter to hundreds of kilometers, using one of a few standard fiber designs in one of several cable designs.

Carriers use optical fiber to carry plain old telephone service (POTS) across their nationwide networks. Local exchange carriers (LECs) use fiber to carry this same service between central office switches at local levels, and sometimes as far as the neighborhood or individual home (fiber to the home [FTTH]).

Optical fiber is also used extensively for transmission of data. Multinational firms need secure, reliable systems to transfer data and financial information between buildings to the desktop terminals or computers and to transfer data around the world.

Due to the use of use of fiber optics, the transportation system has become more integrated and efficient. With the increase in traffic and more demands for efficiency, "smart highways” have begun to adopt fiber into things like automated toll booths, traffic signals, and message signs that are changeable.

Additionally, the fiber optic cables are being utilized in lots of other technical and complicated ways. Take the electric train (image below) for example, fiber optic cable is used as the transmission medium to control the switching of power semiconductors within the converters that create the right frequency and voltage for the electrical drive motors and electrical systems. A little complicated, right? Since the distances traveled to accomplish such conversions can be quite far, fiber optic cable provides a much better solution than copper.

Besides transportation, fiber optics also has heavy use in military nowadays. The military would test the cables rigorously and decided whether they are perfect for use in many of their applications. They offer better performance, more bandwidth, and greater security for their signals - all at a lower cost. They're strong, and more importantly lightweight, and can also be used outdoors in harsh environments. Thus, optical cabling is an excellent choice for the military's retrieval and deployment applications.

In addition, fiber optics has also started to bring benefits to missile launchers and radar systems. In many of their control systems, a single pencil-sized optical fiber can replace miles (and pounds) of copper wiring.

Maybe UAVs and drones sound unfamiliar to you, since they are the fairly new and fast growing applications of fiber optics. Here UAVs stand for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. With the ability to provide a fast and efficient way to transmit a large amount of data over long distances, fiber is utilized as the main communication conduit between the UAV and ground control. Or more specifically, between ground control and the antenna that controls the UAV, if you were wondering why there weren't any cables trailing behind drones in all the photos and videos you've seen.

Tiny drones have been entirely powered by "laser over fiber”, basically using light and optical cables to make it fly. The fiber has the added benefit of being lighter than copper wiring, and non-conductive, meaning it won't short out any power lines the UAV happens to bumble into, and it won't attract pesky lightning strikes, neither.

Apart from what have been discussed above, other applications also include the utilization of fiber optics, such as the decorative lighting for Christmas trees, signs, and art. Showcases displayed in boutiques use optical fibers to illuminate from different angles using a single light source.

Some special fiber optic cables can be used for sensor applications in areas that involve oil-well monitoring and fire or leak detection. The extra bandwidth offered also enables cable television to transmit signals to their subscribers faster and more efficiently. Fiber also shows up in research institutions, colleges and universities, as well as in the aerospace, biomedical, and chemical industries.

Fiber optics really brings a lot of benefits into people’s daily life,and has become an essential part of it. As a professional fiber patch cord manufacturer, Fiberstore supplies many fiber optic products, like the above mentioned optical modules, patch cords (e.g. MTP cable), etc.. For more information about fiber optics, you can visit Fiberstore.

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In modern telecommunication networks, fiber optical communication has become the major means for data transmission. And in response to the increasing demands for internet protocol (IP)-based services, including voice, video, and data in highly reliable optical communication, smart transceiver modules are designed by integrating electro-optical converters in many forms, like small form-factor pluggable (SFP) and small form-factor pluggable plus (SFP+ or 10 gig SFP). SFP and SFP+ modules are hot-swappable, easy-to-integrate devices which allow fiber optic devices to be added to existing solutions, such as I/O boxes, camera systems or industrial controllers. They offer a convenient and cost effective solution for the adoption of Gigabit Ethernet (GbE), 10GbE and Fibre Channel (FC) in data center, campus, metropolitan area access and ring networks, and storage area networks. In a word, they are widely used in networking architecture. But have you obtained a deep understanding about them?

A transceiver includes both transmitter and receiver in a single module. The transmitter and the receiver of the SFP transceiver function independently for bidirectional communication. The transmitter takes an electrical input and converts it to an optical output from a laser diode or LED. The light from the transmitter is coupled into the fiber with a connector and is transmitted through the fiber optic cable plant. The light from the end of the fiber is coupled to a receiver where a detector converts the light into an electrical signal which is then conditioned properly for use by the receiving equipment.

Compatible with SFP Multi-Source Agreement (MSA) and SFF-8472, SFP modules are able to work through single-mode fibers (SMFs), and multi-mode fibers (MMFs), with the distance reach ranging from less than 550m over MMFs to 70km over SMFs. Take 1000BASE-SX SFPs (eg. MGBSX1) for example, this port type is standardized to operate over MMF for the possible 550m reach. SFP transceivers are also available with a copper cable interface to connect to unshielded twisted pair networking cable. The copper transceivers can be installed into optical SFP slots, enabling an optical Ethernet port (1000BASE-X) to be converted into a copper Ethernet port (1000BASE-T) either in the field or in production.

SFP transceivers are used in optical communications for both telecommunication and data communications applications, which are designed to support SONET/SDH, GbE, FC and other communications standards.

To fit the growing lusts for the transmission capacity and bandwidth, 10GbE products are brought to the market, including SFP+ and XFP, with the former being the most popular 10G transceiver type currently. As the upgraded version of the SFP, SFP+ transceivers are widely used for 10Gbit/s data transmission applications, like data center, enterprise wiring closet, and service provider transport applications.

Designed with higher data rate and new industrial standards, SFP+ has a more compact size with the former 10G X2 and Xenpak transceivers, more suitable for density installations because of its greater ability. 10 gig SFP is ideally suited for datacom and storage area network (SAN/NAS) applications based on the IEEE 802.3ae and Fiber Channel standards, Fiber Channel 10G, 8.5G, 4.25G, 2.125G, 1.0625G, 10G BASE- SW/SR/LR/ER, 1000BASE-SX Ethernet.

SFP+ transceiver electrical interface is compliant to SFI electrical specifications. The transmitter input and receiver output impedance is 100 Ohms differential. Data lines are internally AC coupled. The SFP plus module provides differential termination and reduce differential to common mode conversion for quality signal termination and low EMI. SFI typically operates over 200mm of improved FR4 material or up to about 150mmof standard FR4 with one connector.

Most of the SFP and SFP+ modules are built with digital diagnostic monitoring (DDM) function, or called digital optical monitoring (DOM) function according to the industry standard MSA (Multi-Source Agreement) SFF-8472. This function can provide component monitoring on transceiver applications in details, such as the real-time parameters of the fiber optic transceivers, like optical input/output power, temperature, laser bias current, and transceiver supply voltage, etc. Besides, DDM interface includes a system of alarm and warning flags which alert the host system when particular operating parameters are outside of a factory set normal operating. Thus, DDM interface can also enable the end user with the capabilities of fault isolation and failure prediction.

SFP and SFP+ transceivers, as the instrumental tools in networking architecture, interface a network device motherboard (for a switch, router, media converter or similar device) to a fiber optic or copper networking cable, working as high-speed pluggable solutions. Fiberstore SFP and SFP+ modules are quality-assured and severely checked for compatibility with devices from some major brands in this industry, like Cisco, HP, Generic, and so on. You can go here for such a product.

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As fiber optic technology develops and more demands are being placed on data transfer, the needs for higher bandwidth and more connections are also growing accordingly, which makes the use of fiber optic patch cables and transceivers even more important in data transmission. As one of the basic component in optical communication, fiber patch cord consists of a fiber optic cable (single-mode or multi-mode) terminated on both ends with single type or hybrid connector, like SC to SC fiber patch cable, LC to LC fiber patch cable single mode, LC-SC multimode fiber patch cord, LC ST patch cable, etc.. Patch cords are used to connect communication equipment to the cable plant or for interconnections, and their performance matters in the whole fiber optic network. As such, the proper testing of patch cords is essential in ensuring their quality, so as to avoid network problem.

Here goes to the first topic: patch cord testing. After terminating the fiber optic cable with connectors, it’s imperative to test both the connectors’ loss and the fiber loss in the cable. On very short cable assemblies (up to 10 meter long), the loss of the connectors will be the only relevant loss, while fiber will cause the overall losses in longer cable assemblies.

• Testing Process

In testing patch cord, what’s required is the 1310nm LED light source for single-mode fiber (SMF) and 850nm for multi-mdoe fiber (MMF), a fiber optic power meter and some reference patch cords. Use one reference patch cord to set a 0dB reference. Connect a to-be-tested patch cord to the reference patch cord with a mating adapter. Connect the power meter to the other end of the patch cord and measure the loss. Since the length of the fiber is short, the loss contribution of the fiber can be ignored.

Because one end of the cable is attached to the power meter, not another cable, only the loss of the one connection is measured between the reference cable and the cable under test, so each connector should be tested individually. Reverse the patch cord you are testing to check the connector on the other end.

If the equipment has different connectors from the patch cords you are testing, you will need hybrid reference cables with connectors compatible with the equipment on one end and the patch cord connector on the other end. You will also need the correct connector adapters for your power meter. Certainly, all reference cables used for testing must have high quality connectors to get reliable test results.

Whether newly-branded patch cords, or used patch cords, they all encounter an issue—cleanliness. All connectors should always have the polished ferrule covered by a "dust cap” to protect the end of the connector ferrule from damage and dirt. Before inserting connectors in mating adapters or active devices, it’s recommended to clean connectors.

Multiple ways are available to clean fiber optic cables and connectors. Here just list a few useful tips.

• Blow the fiber surface with a stream of Clean Dry Air (CDA) as to dislodge larger, loose particles;

• Place 1-3 drops of spectroscopic grade methanol or isopropyl alcohol in the center of a lens tissue;

• Hold the fiber by the connector or cable. Place the wet portion of the lens tissue on the optical surface and slowly drag it across;

• Examine the surface of the fiber under high intensity light using a magnifier, an optical loop, or a video inspection tool. If streaks or contaminants still remain, repeat the process using a fresh lens tissue;

• Immediately install a protective cover over the end of the cable to avoid re-contamination or insert the fiber for immediate use.

Some users buy large bulks of patch cords and store them in boxes until they are needed to be plugged in. Some users hang them on the sides of the equipment racks. That's not how they should be handled. It seems to be a commonplace that fiber patch cords are always subject to poor treatment (just as the image below shows). They are often hung off communications equipment or patch panels stressing the fiber at the back of the connector. When they are too long, they are bundled and hung in large piles on the side of equipment racks. Kinking is always a problem. Ideally, patch cords should be the right length, supported below the connection and carefully placed to prevent stress.

• Handling Tips

It’s ill-advised to bend the fiber patch cords. Bending the cords may cause internal breaks along the fiber resulting in poor performance or instability. Pay attention to the bend radius of the patch cable. Generally, for 1.6mm and 3.0mm cords the minimum un-loaded bend radius is 3.5 cm. In addition, it’s not allowed to pull or stress the patch cords. During the patching process, excessive force can stress fiber patch cables and connectors, thus reducing their performance.

When it comes to fiber patch cord, there are three aspects: testing closely related to quality, cleanliness, and handling. Once they are properly tested, then their quality is assured. If they are handled in right ways, and kept clean, the fiber optic network with high performance is half-succeeded. As fiber patch cord manufacturer, Fiberstore supplies many kinds of patch cords of high quality, available in single/mode and simplex/duplex version, including the above-mentioned LC to LC fiber patch cable single mode, as well as LC-SC multimode fiber patch cord. For more information about fiber optic patch cables, you can visit Fiberstore.

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Since it started out as a popular local-area network (LAN) technology, Ethernet has developed unceasingly into a networking method for metro-area networks (MANs). While Fibre Channel and InfiniBand have their places, Ethernet still dominates among data centers that interconnect hundreds and even thousands of servers, routers, and switches. With millions of ports, Ethernet proves itself as the most well-known networking technology worldwide, serving as the networking protocol in data centers. This article discusses the numerous connectivity options offered by 10GbE to data centers.

At initial stages, 1GbE technology had great use in LANs, MANs, and data centers. Lately, the rise of cloud computing, coupled with the increased use of unified data/storage connectivity and server virtualization by enterprise data centers, has led to a great desire for ever-higher data-rate links. Then links operating at 10 Gbits/s were made possible.

Just like its prior generations, 10GbE rapidly dominated in the computing networks because of its ubiquity, the ready and familiar management tools, along with the compelling cost structure. To deploy 10GbE links can take on many forms, ranging from optical modules to copper transceivers which are connected to Cat6A unshielded twisted-pair cable. In 2002, the IEEE created several standards for 10GbE connectivity (802.3ae), including

• 10GBASE-SR: operates over multi-mode fiber (MMF) using optical modules with 850nm lasers

• 10GBASE-LR: operates over single-mode fiber (SMF) using optical modules with 1310nm lasers

• 10GBASE-LRM: operates over MMF using optical modules with 1310nm lasers

• 10GBASE-T: operates over Cat6 or Cat6A twisted-pair copper cabling with distance up to 100m

• 10GBASE-KX4: operates over four copper backplane lanes with distance up to 1m

• 10GBASE-KR: operates over a single backplane lane with distance up to 1m

Besides, a non-IEEE standard approach called SFP+ Direct Attach Cable (DAC) has gained in popularity. It uses a passive twin-ax cable assembly that connects directly into an SFP+ module housing. Take Cisco SFP-H10GB-CU1M for example, this product is the 10G SFP+ direct attach twinax cable assembly for 1m length.

Optical transceivers are housed and available in modules specified by multi-source agreements (MSAs) which are created by module manufacturers and equipment OEMs. Over the years, the form factor had evolved from XENPAK to X2 to GBIC to SFP to XFP and to SFP+ modules.

SFP+ optical modules designed for 10GbE applications are full duplex transceivers. In data centers, 10GBASE-SR (short range) modules have emerged as the most popular variant of the optical options. This 10GBASE-SR compliant transceiver uses 850nm lasers over LC fiber cable, incorporating a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL), which is lower in both cost and power than side-emitting DFB lasers needed for SMF. Over older FDDI-grade 62.5µm MMF, 10GBASE-SR maximum link length is 26m;over 62.5µm OM1 fiber 33m;over 50µm OM2 fiber, 82m; over OM3 fiber, 300m; and over OM4 fiber, 400m.

For 10GbE applications, copper-based solutions generally fall into two categories: distances appropriate to backplanes within a box, and distances associated with connections between boxes.

Both 10GBASE-KX4 and 10GBASE-KR are intended for inter-box backplane connections with distances up to 1m. The major difference between the two is that KX4 operates over four copper lanes, while KR is a serial 10-Gbit/s link operating over one lane.

Another copper solution is the SFP+ DAC link. This kind of cable assembly is ordered in pre-specified lengths and come with attached SFP+ module form-factor connectors.

The other copper -based connectivity option is 10GBase-T, also known as IEEE 802.3an. With 10GBASE-T, 10-Gbit/s communications occur over unshielded twisted-pair cabling. It’s the fourth generation of so-called GBASE-T technologies, which all use RJ45 connectors and unshielded twisted-pair cabling to provide 10- and 100-Mbit/s, and 1- and 10-Gbit/s data transmission. A 10GBASE-T transceiver uses full-duplex transmission with echo cancellation on each of the four twisted pairs available in standard Ethernet cables, transmitting an effective 2.5Gbits/s on each pair. Category 6 or category 6A cabling is typically used with 10GBase-T. Cat6 is specified for distances up to 55meter, whereas Cat6A is specified for up to 100m.

10GBASE-T connectivity, backward-compatible with the existing 1GbE cabling infrastructure, is the most flexible, economical, and user-friendly 10G Ethernet10GbE connectivity option available. Its benefits include the ability to interoperate with legacy slower technologies, the use of ubiquitous and inexpensive cabling and connectors, the flexibility of full structured wiring reach, the ease of Cat6A cabling deployment, and power-saving features. As a result, 10GBASE-T is ideally suited for the rapidly expanding needs of today’s data centers.

10GbE does well in the inter-switch and storage side, creating a convergence between networks designed primarily for voice, and the new data centric networks. Fiberstore, as a professional fiber optic product supplier, supplies various kinds of 10GbE transceivers fully compatible with major brands at really low prices, as well as detailed SFP+ DAC cabling solutions. Here, you can find what you want quickly for your 10GbE applications.

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The virtualization and cloud computing, combined with the increasing low-latency services, drive data rates to even much higher points. Just like that 1GbE lines are being aggregated into 10GbE lines, the 10GbE lines are also being amounted to higher rates, say 40/100Gbit/s. With the upward climb in traffic among all sectors, carriers are thirsty for a high-rate connectivity solution. In 2010, the IEEE 802.3ba Task Force has ratified the 802.3ba Ethernet standard. IEEE 802.3ba governs 40/100Gb/s operations across backplanes, copper cabling, multi-mode fiber (MMF), and single-mode fiber (SMF), moving networking speeds forward by another order of magnitude. This standard addresses the needs of computing, network aggregation and core networking applications. And the following passages will discusses this approved IEEE 802.3ba standard in great details.

Back to history, each Ethernet standard has incremented the data speed by about 10 years. What make 802.3ba unique is a 40-Gbit/s option that fits many existing applications. It’s a welcome addition to Ethernet, as it continues to scale with the need. Originally a local-area networking (LAN) technology, Ethernet has gone far beyond its roots thanks to a continuous standards effort. The new standard paves the way for the next generation of high-rate server connectivity and core switching. 802.3ba standard was designed to maintain the widely supported Ethernet frame format and the media access controller (MAC), as well as to create new physical layers (PHYs) for 40/100Gbits/s. It supports full-duplex communication, and works with the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU’s) Optical Transport Network (OTN) for long haul networks.

• 40/100Gbits/s New PHYs

IEEE 802.3ba standard for 40G/100G offers a wide range of different, mostly optical versions. Backplanes, copper, and PHY media are covered, each usually featuring multiple lanes of 10 or 25Gbits/s. When it comes to 40Gbits/s, its PHYs include the SMF for 10km distance, MMF for 100m link length, copper cable and backplane for 1m. For 100Gbits/s, the PHY goals consist of 40km on SMF, 10km on SMF, 100m on OM3 MMF, and 10m on a copper cable.

• 40/100Gbits/s Form-factors

The quad small form-factor pluggable (QSFP) module with four optical ports, is used for 40G over MMF and SMF. And, the CXP module handles 100G over MMF, and offers two sets of 12 optical I/O ports. The CFP module is a 148-pin electrical connector that has 12 optical I/O ports, able to deal with both 40G and 100G transmission. (CFP2, CFP4, and QSFP28 are also for 100G). Based on 802.3ba standard, various related products have been developed to target at 40/100GbE, like Cisco QSFP-40G-SR-BD (image below), a Cisco 40GBASE-SR BD QSFP module for 40Gbps infrastructure over MMF with duplex LC.

• 40/100Gbits/s Multiple Wavelengths

40Gbits/s links use 1270, 1290, 1310, and 1330nm multiple wavelengths. With 64B/66B coding, the signaling rate is 10.3125Gbits/s. And for 100Gbits/s, data is transmitted at 28.78125Gbits/s over 1295, 1300, 1305, and 1310nm wavelengths. All these wavelength-division multiplexed (WDM) formats match up with what the ITU specifies for its long-haul OTN fiber networks.

IEEE 802.3ba helps to eliminate the pressing bandwidth bottlenecks faced by network providers and end users alike, paving the way for future Ethernet speed increase.

IEEE 802.3ba addresses critical challenges facing technology providers today, such as the growing number of applications with demonstrated bandwidth needs far exceeding existing Ethernet capabilities, by providing a larger, more durable bandwidth pipeline. Furthermore, collaboration between the IEEE P802.3ba 40/100GbETask Force and the ITU’s Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) Study Group 15 ensures these new Ethernet rates are transportable over OTNs.

IEEE 802.3ba functions as the catalyst that speed up the unlocking innovation across the greater Ethernet ecosystem. It’s expected to trigger further expansion of the 40/100GbE family of technologies by driving new development efforts. It also will provide new aggregation speeds that will drive new 10GbEnetwork deployments.

In addition to providing an increased bandwidth pipeline, IEEE 802.3ba remains compatible with existing IEEE 802.3 installations, preserving significant industry investment in the technology. The standard is also expected to generate concrete benefits, such as lowered operating expense costs and improved energy efficiency, by simplifying complex link aggregation scheme commonly used in today’s network architectures.

With traffic on IP backbone network continuing to grow at a rapid pace, the approved EEE 802.3ba standard reliefs the traffic on it. It’s timing to deploy 40/100GbE to scale the interconnection within and between the ubiquitous warehouse-scale computing infrastructures. Fiebrstore supplies 40/100GbE solutions, including QSFP+ module, 100G optics, 40/100G cables, and so on. You can visit Fiberstorer for more information about 40/100GbE solutions.

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With each passing day, fiber optics has become increasingly affordable, widely used for high data-rate systems such as FDDI, multimedia, ATM, or any other network that requires the transfer of large, time-consuming data files. As one of the most basic elements consisting of fiber optics in optical networks, fiber patch cord, or fiber optic patch cable and fiber optic jumper, composes of a fiber optic cable capped with a connector on each end. (In this sense, fiber patch cord can be classified by the connector types, like LC fiber cable, SC fiber optic cable, MTP/MPO cable, etc..). Judging from its structure, patch cord seems to be too simple. But actually, it plays a really important role in the overall network performance whose main problems are caused by patch cord performance. Thus, understanding fiber patch cord performance comes as the priority.

In order to have an in-depth understanding of fiber patch cord performance, this text will be spread from two aspects: the perfect patch cord and polishing conditions.

When a patch cord made by a mated pair of connectors has near zero insertion loss and a relative power loss, then it’s called perfect patch cord whose performance should be in accordance with fiber splicing loss that is on the order of 0.02dB. It needs to meet these requirements: insertion loss <0.05dB and return loss >58dB.

• Notices on Making "Perfect Patch Cord”

To make a "perfect patch cord”, the endface has to be kept clean, meaning that cleanliness of the production line and the cleaning technique are very important. Besides, the endface geometry of the ferrule must be controlled and the proper polishing must be operated.

As for loss reduction, it’s advised to properly align the fiber cores within the ferrules of two mated patch cords. The main factors that influence core alignment are ferrule inner diameter, ferrule concentricity, and ferrule outside diameter (OD). Understanding all relevant parameters and putting them under control are essential in making a "perfect patch cord” which must have sub-micron connector concentricity. The following figure shows the relation between insertion loss and connector concentricity.

• Notes on Testing "Perfect Patch Cord”

A reference cable is required to test a "perfect patch cord”. This cable should be at least at least comparable to the "perfect patch cord”. In order to get the accurate measurements, other parameters also need to be controlled while testing "perfect patch cord”, during which a high quality adapter is used to insure a consistent insertion loss.

While polishing connectors, the endface on microscopic grits has to be grounded to remove excess epoxy from the surface and scratches from the fiber endface, as well as shaping the ferrule and glass.

Most of the current ceramic ferrules are pre-domed. For instance, the endface is shaped to have an optimum radius of curvature (ROC) and the as-small-as-possible apex offset (AO), as shown below. Apex offset is an offset of the apex point of ROC. In such case, the polishing must use a polishing grit hard enough to remove the epoxy from the ferrule and the scratches on the fiber endface, but not hard enough to significantly alter the ferrule geometry. If a ferrule is not pre-domed, the proper geometry must be formed through extended polishing.

• Polishing Process

Polishing process is done as followings: firstly to remove epoxy from the ferrule front surface, then form or keep the dome, and finally to shine the fiber surface. Depending on the polisher and connectors, an optimization must be made on the polishing pressure, time, and speed.

• Polishing Inspection

After finishing polishing, a microscope with magnification of at least 400x is used for visual inspection of scratches and damages. A "perfect patch cord” isn’t allowed to have any visible scratch on the fiber endface. Scratches through the fiber core can not only affect optical performance, but also damage any other fiber endface they contact. For these reasons, scratches need to be minimized. In order to guarantee optimal performance, it is not only important to adhere to the polishing procedure, but also to the cleaning procedures. Once the fiber surface is clean, scratch-free, and confirmed to have endface geometry within specifications, insertion loss and return loss should fall into expected specification.

By understanding and controlling factors that have effects on patch cord performance, it’s possible to build a "perfect patch cord” having an insertion loss equal to that of a fusion splice (near zero insertion loss). Fiberstore, as a professional fiber patch cord manufacturer, supplies various patch cords of high quality at low prices, like LC to SC fiber patch cable available at different lengths and in single-mode and multi-mode versions. For example, the 1m LC UPC to SC UPC 10G 50/125 OM3 Duplex Patch Cord at Fiberstore just costs you US$ 2.60, much less than that’s offered by other suppliers, say $22.99 at CABLES TO GO.

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Since fiber optic cables have been brought to the telecommunication market, fiber patch cord, made up of a fiber optic cable which is terminated with connector on both ends, has stepped all over the world and experienced significant use in communication networks. Fiber patch cord, or called fiber optic jumper, boasts of various advantages over copper wires, featuring lighter weight, greater flexibility, and faster transmission speed over longer distance. As the deployment of fiber optic jumper increases in both public and private networks, jumper performance is critical to system integrity and reliability. However, many factors can affect patch cord quality and performance. If fiber optic jumper provides the insertion loss and reflectance performance required, does this mean a reliable system? Maybe not. What about the fiber position? Would this affect the performance? Maybe yes. Feel confused now? Don’t worry. This text gives some factors that have impacts on fiber patch cord reliability and quality.

It’s known that insertion loss (IL) and reflectance constitute the basic performance parameters of a connectorized cable assembly. IL is the loss of signal power resulting from the insertion of a device in a cable, and is usually measured in decibels (dB). This IL can be tested by using a light source and power meter (LSPM image shown below), commonly referred to as an optical loss test set (OLTS). Certainly, IL can also be expressed by an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) which is more often used to measure reflectance for discrete components or optical return loss (ORL) for tip-to-tip systems. In analog and digital video, when ORL is less than 27dB, then instability in a laser source is caused, causing poor-quality image.

Just as the first paragraph mentioned, just IL and reflectometer can’t exactly ensure the quality required in patch cords. Here go to other parameters.

Radius of curvature (ROC) is the radius of the ferrule endface which is measured from the axis of the ferrule. When the radius is between 7mm and 25mm, then the correct compressed force is ensured between two mated connectors. The internal spring in a connector exerts a predetermined force to compress and deform the ceramic ferrules and glass fibers, resulting in a contact footprint between 150µm and 200µm in diameter. If the ROC is less than 7mm, this force is concentrated into a smaller contact footprint and the risk of shattering the glass fiber increases. If the ROC is more than 25mm, the contact footprint increases and physical contact may be compromised, resulting in increased reflectance and insertion loss.

Fiber position refers to the protrusion or undercut of the fiber endface which is related to the ceramic ferrule at the axis of the fiber. While maintaining the physical contact of two mated fibers, the position plays a really important part. Too much protrusion may cause the fiber to shatter, and too much undercut may lead to loss of physical contact, leading to increased reflectance and insertion loss.

Cleanliness is also critical in attaining needed IL and reflectance performance. Here include endface debris and defects. Inspection with 200x or 400x magnification should be performed against an industry standard such as IEC 61300-3-35. Large defects such as scratches and pits can collect and transfer dirt to an opposing connector, sometimes creating additional defects. Each time the connector is mated or re-mated, the opposing connector should be properly cleaned.

Another parameter is the use of bend-insensitive fiber in fiber optic jumpers. This kind of fiber is designed in both single-mode and multi-mode versions. Its use greatly reduces issues with routing bends or pinching that, in some cases, are difficult to locate, even with a visual fault locator. Besides, using this bend-insensitive fiber can avoid the frustration of troubleshooting a system for hours, helping to eliminate installation errors, and ensuring that future activity around a rack or in a cabinet does not bring about downtime or hours of troubleshooting.

With many providers from whom to choose fiber patch cords, to get a better understanding of those factors that ensure quality and performance is essential in selecting a jumper of high quality. But there are also situations that some users or contractors pay much for patch cord, but get low quality products which not tightly controlled during manufacturing. Fiberstore, an outstanding fiber patch cord manufacturer, helps you to clear off such problems. Its fiber optic patch cords are all test- and quality-assured, provided at affordable prices, available in various kinds, like LC fiber cable, SC patch cord, LC SC cable, ST ST fiber cable, and so on. If you want such products, please visit Fiberstore directly.

Posted by: fernxu123 at 03:03 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Tough were those old days in the field of data communications when users had to take coppers wires as the medium to transmit data and many were looking to save money as much as they can in cabling installations and upgrades. But owing to the rapid advances of fiber optic technology over the years, fiber optic patch cords have been heavily deployed to deliver more bandwidth for significantly longer distance transmission, with very little signal loss during transmission.

Fiber optic patch cord, also called fiber optic patch cable, fiber patch cord, or fiber optic jumper, is short interconnection fiber optic cable with connector on each end. Installers often use patch cords to link the equipment and components in the fiber optic network, eg. to connect the fiber optic converter and termination box. The commonly used fiber optic jumper types include SC patch cord, ST patch cord, LC patch cord, as well as MPO cable according to different connector types. Since patch cords come in many types, do you feel at a loss while purchasing them? What’s your consideration? This article lists several parameters that need to be considered when buy patch cords.

Certainly, price comes as the most direct factor for notice, the connector type and performance seem to be more important when choosing fiber jumpers.

Various standard connectors are provided by some manufacturers, including ST, SC, MPO, LC, etc (shown below), enabling installers to choose the most suitable connector type to fit the job. Patch cord connectors should be visually inspected and optically tested. There are fundamental parameters that affect the connector performance: low insertion loss and low reflectance. Insertion loss (IL) must be in accordance with the Electronic Industries Association/Telecommunications Industry Association standard 568. Reflectance, also known as optical return loss, is the amount of light that is reflected back up the fiber toward the source by light reflections off the interface of the polished end surface of the mated connectors and air. Minimizing the reflectance is necessary to get maximum performance out of high bit rate laser systems. Good connectors with proper polish are greatly needed. Properly made fusion splices will have no refelctance; a reflectance peak indicates incomplete fusion or inclusion of an air bubble or other impurity in the splice.

Besides connector type and performance, what else should be considered? Certainly, the fiber size and type need to be specified.

Fiber optic cable is available in two versions: single-mode fiber (SMF) and multi-mode fiber (MMF) based on "mode”. The form.er usually in yellow, is designed with a core diameter between 8 and 10.5µm. There are two sub groups (referred to as OS1 and OS2) but most cable is "dual rated" to cover both classifications. In contrast, the latter, usually in orange, has a larger core size, typically 62.5µm or 50µm. With the 50µm diameter MMF, there are three different grades (referred to as OM2, OM3, and OM4). The cable types used in the patch cord should match that of the network cabling to which they are attached via the patch panel.

Fiber patch cable assemblies can also be simplex or duplex. Simplex patch cord is typically one 3-millimeter cord that goes from point to point. It has a single strand of fiber allowing for signal flow in one direction only. Duplex patch cord has two fibers molded together with a zip cord so you can separate them. Multi-fiber or high-fiber-count optical harnesses assemblies have also been brought to the market.

Other parameters that attract installers’ attention are the price and installation. For instance, the possible length is 1m from one port to another port. And when the patch panels are in a couple of racks or if a full rack is allocated to a set of patching, the length could be 2 meters. However, if it`s a piece of electronics over to a patch panel over to a big switch room, that could be 10 meters.

Installation is of great importance, because the whole fiber optic system performance can be affected by dirty connectors on patch cords. The best principle is that any time a connector is unplugged or remated, it should be cleaned carefully so as to avoid dirt, oil, or something else that would degrade the network performance.

Fiber patch cords can be used to provide interconnection between the optical transmission equipment and the patch panel, able to connect one port on a patch panel to another port. As a professional fiber optic product manufacturer, Fiberstore supplies all kinds of patch cords, such as SC patch cord, ST patch cord, LC patch cord, MPO cable, simplex/duplex patch cable, and so on. Want such patch cords for installation, welcome to visit Fiberstore.

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