Reports: Demand for Optics in China Continues to Surprise

2016 年 8 月 3 日 Industy News No comments

The scale and speed of infrastructure projects in China is fascinating, whether they are roads, bridges, bullet trains, airports, or optical networking projects. With 120 million households enjoying fiber broadband connections, China is home to half of the world’s FTTH subscribers. More than 50 million of these FTTH connections were added in 2015 and another 40 million customers will be connected this year.

projections for FTTH deployments in China and Worldwide
Figure 1, redrawn from a presentation by Leping Wei of China Telecom at Optinet China 2016, offers projections for FTTH deployments in China and Worldwide. In addition to China Telecom and China Unicom, China Mobile announced very aggressive targets for FTTH deployments in 2016.
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Why Category 6A Should Be Your Cable of Choice.

2016 年 7 月 29 日 Industy News, Learning Center No comments

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“More businesses are turning to Category 6A cabling for their network infrastructure,” notes the company. “This decision is primarily being driven by affordable price, high quality, and exceptional performance. THe followings are five reasons why you should choose Category 6A cable for your enterprise applications”:

1. Category 6A supports all data rates up to and including 10GBASE-T.  

Category 6A ensures that your installation will be prepared to run all data rates up to and including 10 gigabits per second. Businesses today rely on data-heavy applications like video, wireless, and desktop virtualization, so it’s critical to have a network infrastructure that will support these and future applications.

2. Speeds like 10GBASE-T will soon become common.

It’s expected that common low-cost, mass-market switches will require Category 6A cable before the end of 2016. This is reinforced by industry forecasts that predict 10GBASE-T will soon be the norm.

3. Wireless access point speeds are accelerating.

The growing demands of mobile devices are driving the need for greater bandwidth. Today’s high-end wireless access points can operate around 1.2 to 2.6 Gbps. Seven Gbps WAPs are expected by 2017, and they’ll require 10GBASE-T. Category 6A cabling infrastructure has the capacity to meet these needs.

4. There are no bundle limits for applications like HDBaseT or higher Power over Ethernet (PoE++).

HDBaseT places bundle limitations on Category 5e and 6 due to alien crosstalk. Because Category 6A is designed to suppress alien crosstalk, there are no limitations on bundling with Category 6A. Category 6A cables are also much better at dissipating heat. This makes them perfect to manage the upcoming 802.3bt PoE++ standards since they deliver both 49W and 96W of power to end devices. Due to the higher 96W power running on multiple cables in a bundle, Category 5e and 6 bundle sizes will be limited – Category 6A cables will not be.

5. 10GBASE-T is the low-cost 10 gigabit option.

When comparing prices per gigabit, 10GBASE-T provides a much lower total cost of ownership versus 1000BASE-T. This is driven by increasing switch volumes (which are driving down prices) and the introduction of more LAN on Motherboard (LOM) servers with “free” RJ45 connectivity.

FOA publishes fiber-optic network design guide.

2016 年 7 月 26 日 Industy News No comments

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The Fiber Optic Association (FOA) recently published a textbook titled FOA Reference Guide To Fiber Optic Network Design. Authored by FOA president Jim Hayes focuses on the concepts of designing a fiber-optic network and how the entire process must be planned from idea through fiber optic installation, operation and documentation.

“This book is aimed at network designers, contractors, supervisors as well as management personnel responsible for communications and IT departments, construction and facilities management. Anyone whose responsibilities include communications systems will benefit from the information in this book. It is also the textbook used for the FOA CFOS/D Fiber Optic Design Certification.

The book includes the following.

Chapter 1—Introductory
Chapter 2—Fiber-Optic Jargon
Chapter 3—Standards and Codes
Chapter 4—The Communications System
Chapter 5—Cabling For The Application
Chapter 6—Planning The Project
Chapter 7—Project Documentation
Chapter 8—Choosing Components
Chapter 9—Power and Loss Budgets
Chapter 10—Testing The Installed Network
Chapter 11—Planning And Managing The Installation

Five appendices include additional references, definitions of terms, estimating, case studies, and application of standard project management processes in fiber-optic cable plant project management.

Passive component extends audio signal reach over Cat 5, 5e, 6 or 6a data cables.

2016 年 7 月 20 日 Passive Optical Components No comments

CWDM-OADM ModuleFrom ETS, the Single Channel InstaSnake is a passive component that allows a user to send audio signals over Cat5, 5e, 6 or 6a data cables. Designed to operate within those “crunch times” when one needs a quick, handy, reliable audio fix, the Single Channel InstaSnake allows bi-directional mic level, line level, analog or digital audio signals to run over UTP cable up to 1900 ft.  The compact unit is easily transported or stored, and solves many live recording sound problems. It measures 2.75 x 1.45″ x 1.60″, small enough to carry in a pocket or tool box. Manufactured to the highest professional standards, the component has a flat frequency response, low THD and residual noise, and supports phantom power. Its rugged construction, featuring Neutrik connectors, makes for a solid performing device, says ETS.

The 5 most damaging structured cabling scenarios.

2016 年 7 月 11 日 Fiber Tools, Learning Center No comments

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why such problems need to be addressed sooner rather than later? The following Cause-and-Effect checklist of the 5 most damaging structured cabling scenarios give a short explanations to illustrate them.

1.  Cause:  Intermittent faults – Unidentified intermittent faults are amongst the most common and damaging issues that affect structured cabling networks. Faulty patch leads and broken or malfunctioning outlets are typical causes of this frustrating and puzzling problem, but identifying the lead or outlet that’s misfiring can be a headache in itself.

Effect:  Valuable resources are wasted.

2. Cause: Wi-Fi problems – Wi-Fi can present a host of challenges when installed incorrectly – from poor coverage to intermittent connectivity. Connecting multiple devices that use conflicting Wi-Fi standards is a common cause of many problems. Equally, the Wi-Fi devices themselves may be faulty or installed in the wrong position. If neither of these factors are the cause of your issues, check if you’ve connected new Wi-Fi devices with outdated cabling.

Effect:  Workforce efficiency and productivity plummet.

3. Cause: Disorganization and disorder – Structured cabling networks often become disorderly over time as multiple firms are called in to install cable, maintain and repair them, resulting in a confused and jumbled system. A disorganized structured cabling network can also be the result of sloppy workmanship, where engineers haven’t taken enough care during the implementation process. Untidy patching, inaccurate labelling and poor record keeping are all warning signs that shouldn’t be ignored.

Effect:  Unnecessary expenditure.

4. Cause: Mismatched cabling –  Even if your infrastructure is built on one category of cable, if two different manufacturers have supplied different elements of your network, you may encounter problems. A structured cabling network that isn’t consistent end-to-end can cause electrical mismatching between components and although this can be difficult to spot, the effects are plain to see.

Effect:  Costly network challenges.

5.  Cause: A lack of network redundancy – Organizations need a backup cabling network and an uninterruptable power supply (UPS) to ensure connectivity and power remain consistent when the lights go out unexpectedly. This is especially true of critical links and services that underpin crucial business operations, for example the structured cabling network that supports a bank’s trading floor. Despite the importance of these systems, we find that many organizations don’t consider installing them until after an incident has taken place.

Effect: A catastrophic loss of service.

SYOPTEK Introduces FS-60S Fusion Splicer.

2016 年 7 月 7 日 Fiber Optic Test Equipment No comments

FS-60S Fusion SplicerSYOPTEK’s FS-60S fusion splicer is a dependable, core-alignment splicer that incorporates a user-friendly interface and includes a standard list of features rarely found on splicers at this price point. The rugged construction is perfect for harsh working conditions, whether it’s Premise, OSP or FTTx.

For ease of use, the FS-60S fusion splicer features a reversible, color 4.25 inch LCD monitor, allowing for front or rear splicer orientation.

The FS-60S is, by far, the best valued splicer available on the market today.
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How to choose splices?

2016 年 7 月 1 日 Fiber Optic Test Equipment, Learning Center No comments

FS-60S Fusion Splicer
If cost is the issue, there are some clues to make a choice: fusion is expensive equipment and cheap splices, while mechanical is cheap equipment and expensive splices. So if

you make a lot of splices (like thousands in an big telco or CATV network) use fusion splices. If you need just a few, use mechanical splices.

Fusion splices give very low back reflections and are preferred for singlemode high speed digital or CATV networks. However, they don’t work too well on multimode splices, so

mechanical splices are preferred for MM, unless it is an underwater or aerial application, where the greater reliability of the fusion splice is preferred.

SYOPTEK’s One-Click Cleaner M20

2016 年 6 月 27 日 Fiber Optic Cleaning No comments

One-Click Cleaner M20

SYOPTEK introduces  One-Click Cleaner M20. The M20 One-Click Cleaner Cleans Size 16 MIL PRF 29504/15 and MIL-PRF-29504/14 2.0mm terminus in MIL PRF 28876 connectors,SMPTE 304M & 358M,other 2.0mm based harsh environment connectors.

The One-Click Cleaner is an easy-to-use option for cleaning connectors in adapters. Simply insert the One-Click Cleaner into an adapter and push until an audible “click” is heard. The One-Click Cleaner uses the mechanical push action to advance an optical grade cleaning tape while the cleaning tip is rotated to ensure the fiber end-face is effectively, but gently, cleaned.

The One-Click Cleaner is a must-have for field technicians. Small enough to fit in a shirt pocket and a great addition to cleaning kits.

Save your wrist – no more twist!
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What’s the Fiber Splicing ?

2016 年 6 月 21 日 Fiber Optic Test Equipment, Learning Center No comments

Splicing is only needed if the cable runs are too long for one straight pull or you need to mix a number of different types of cables (like bringing a 48 fibre cable in and splicing it to six 8 fibre cables – could you have used a breakout cable instead?) And of course, we use splices for restoration, after the number one problem of outside plant cables, a dig-up and cut of a buried cable, usually referred to as “backhoe fade” for obvious reasons!

Splices are “permanent” connections between two fibres. There are two types of splices, fusion and mechanical, and the choice is usually based on cost or location. Most splicing is on long haul outside plant SM cables, not multimode LANs, so if you do outside plant SM jobs, you will want to learn how to fusion splice. If you do mostly MM LANs, you may never see a splice.
splices
Fusion splices are made by “welding” the two fibres together usually by an electric arc. Obviously, you don’t do that in an explosive atmosphere (at least not more than once!), so fusion splicing is usually done above ground in a truck or trailer set up for the purpose. Good fusion splicers cost $15,000 to $40,000, but the splices only cost a few dollars each. Today’s singlemode fusion splicers are automated and you have a hard time making a bad splice. The biggest application is singlemode fibres in outside plant installations.

Mechanical splices are alignment gadgets that hold the ends of two fibres together with some index matching gel or glue between them. There are a number of types of mechanical splices, like little glass tubes or V-shaped metal clamps. The tools to make mechanical splices are cheap, but the splices themselves are expensive. Many mechanical splices are used for restoration, but they can work well with both singlemode and multimode fibre, with practice.

Sales of 100G Telecom Optics are off to a Strong Start in 2016

2016 年 6 月 16 日 Passive Optical Components No comments

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Suppliers of 100G optical components for telecom applications first reported a sharp increase in demand in Q4 2015 and set new sales records for these products in Q1 2016. Data on shipments of 100G DWDM ports by Huawei, shown in the figure below, illustrates the increased demand.

Huawei shipped more 100G DWDM ports than five of its competitors combined in Q1 2016. Three of these five competitors also reported increased shipments of 100G optics with the remaining two posting seasonal declines, after a strong Q4 2015. Nokia (Alcatel-Lucent) leads the market in shipments of 200/400G DWDM ports.

Significant fraction of the 100G DWDM ports shipped by Huawei in Q1 2016 went to China Mobile, but demand from other customers is picking up as well. Bidding results for Q2 2016 indicate a sharp increase in orders for 100G DWDM ports from China Unicom.
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