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What mistakes can be made during install a fiber optic?

by http://www.fiber-mart.com

It is time to look at the capillaries of your tree architecture where most of the important components are attached in the forms of leaves. As the trunk of the tree has a bigger diameter and a sustainable function for the whole tree, in the same way the backbone fiber has the largest bandwidth of the network ensured by the layout of the singlemode fiber cables connecting two branch locations.
Distance coverage
The manufacturing price per kilometer of optical fibre cables has dropped over the last years and the properties have improved but the installation work remains at a high cost per kilometer driven by the construction autorisations needed and effective cost of labour for installation whether the cable is buried directly, put in conduit, strung aerially or whatever. In this case the use of singlemode fibres forming contained in a cable from a well-known manufacturer, it will come with clear specifications regarding the number of fibers, the type of fibres, the type of protection cover for the whole cable such as loose tube cables: These cables are composed of several fibers together inside a small plastic tube, which are in turn wound around a central strength member and jacketed, providing a small, high fiber count cable. This type of cable is ideal for outside plant trunking applications, as it can be made with the loose tubes filled with gel to prevent harm to the fibers from water. It can be used in conduits, strung overhead or buried directly into the ground. Since the fibers have only a thin buffer coating, they must be carefully handled and protected to prevent damage.
What mistake can be made in choosing to have own fibre cable buried to the next branch? Well, it may be cheaper to rent a huge bandwidth than to construct it and own it. Local carriers may have good offers for variable bandwidth running over their own infrastructure laid on different topological paths and ensuring a high Service Level Agreement (SLA) for their bandwidth offer.
Data Center Cabling
Data Center environment is the first candidate for upgrading an existing build out or for constructing from ground zero the whole infrastructure. In both cases distribution switches, SAN disks, high computing servers, interconnected routers may benefit from Gigabit interfaces and may be upgraded based on multimode distribution fibre connections.   Distribution cables: They contain several double-buffered fibers bundled under the same jacket with Kevlar or fiberglass rod reinforcement. These cables are small in size, and used for short, dry conduit runs, riser and plenum applications. The fibers are double buffered and can be directly terminated, but because their fibers are not individually reinforced, these cables need to be broken out with a “breakout box” or terminated inside a patch panel or junction box.
What are the common mistakes in case of the datacenter fiber cabling? Well, the planner should take care about not mixing singlemode with multimode patch fibers because the link won’t work. A very important aspect may be respected in terms of terminal connectors of the fibers and connectors of the transponders or transceivers.  Angle Polished Connectors (APC) or Ultra Polished Connectors (UPC), and they are not interchangeable. An APC ferrule end-face is polished at an 8° angle, while the UPC is polished at a 0° angle. If the angles are different, some of the light will fail to propagate, becoming connector or splice loss.
Another aspect of data center patching is the use of a single fiber where transmission (Tx) is made on lamda 1 and reception (Rx) is made on the lamda 2. This is the case of Single Strand Fiber – SSF and transceivers should match the same lamdas pairs at the end of the fiber. For example:
BO15C3149620D – The BlueOptics BO15C3149620D Bidi SFP transceivers have a receiving function (receiver) and a transmission function (transmitter) for the transfer of optical signals with a single laser (BOSA) for the transmission of optical signals via single-mode fiber, regarding the respective gigabit protocol, such as the GB Ethernet 802.3z standard.
BlueOptics BO15C3149620D Bidi SFP modules are suitable for the use in switches, routers, storage systems and other hardware in the third optical window at 1490nm and 1310nm.
Mechanical Stress
Bending Radius
Fiber is stronger than steel when you pull it straight, but it breaks easily when bent too tightly. If you put a kink in the cable, you will harm the fibers, maybe immediately, maybe not for a few years, but you will harm them and the cable must be removed and thrown away.
Twisting the cable
Putting a twist in the cable can stress the fibers too.
Copper based Ethernet equipment and cabling can continue to function reliably in other areas until it is deemed feasible in the upgrade timeline to reassess that department.

What is a fiber attenuator and when do i need it

by http://www.fiber-mart.com

A fiber attenuator also called optical attenuator, is a device used to minimize the level of an optical power signal in an optical fiber network for various purpose. Optical attenuators are regularly used in fiber optic communications, to test power level limits and for the time being adding an adjusted amount of signal loss, they are also used to install it forever to accurately match transmitter and receiver sensitivity levels. If a received signal power level is too high, a temporary solution is to wrap the cable around a pencil or a similar object until the required level of attenuation is reached. Severe bends stress optic fibers and can cause losses of light travelled inside these. Though, such solutions are unpredictable, as the stressed fiber be likely to to break over time.
The power lessening is completed by such means as absorption, scattering, diffusion, deflection, reflection, diffraction, and dispersion, etc. Optical attenuators typically work by absorbing the light, like sunglasses absorb extra light energy. They usually have a working wavelength range in which they absorb all the light energy. An optical attenuator should not scatter or reflect the light in an air gap, as that could cause undesirable back reflection in the fiber. A different type of attenuator exploits a length of an optical fiber with high-loss, that type of attenuator functions upon its input optical signal power level in such a way that its output signal power level is less than the input level.
Optical attenuators can take different arrangements and are normally classified as fixed or variable attenuators.
Fixed Attenuators
Fixed optical attenuators used in fiber optic network may use a diversity of rules for their operation. Desired attenuators use material among misaligned splices, or doped-fibers, or total power as both of these are dependable and low-priced. In-line type of attenuators are combined into patch cables. The alternate build-out style attenuator is a small male-female adapter that can be added onto other cables.
Non-preferred attenuators frequently use gap loss or reflective principles. Such devices can be sensitive to: wavelength, modal distribution, impurity, temperature, vibration, may cause back reflections, may cause signal dispersion etc.
Loopback attenuators
Loopback fiber optic attenuator is intended for testing, engineering and the burn-in phase of boards or other equipment. Offered in LC/UPC, LC/APC, SC/UPC, SC/APC, MTRJ and MPO for single mode application.
Built-in variable attenuators
Built-in variable optical attenuators, might be electrically controlled or manually controlled, depending upon type. An electrically controlled attenuator can deliver adaptive power optimization. As compared to an automatic, a manually controlled attenuator is useful for one time set up of a system, and is almost alike to a fixed attenuator, and may be stated to as a variable attenuator.
Variable optical test attenuators
Variable optical test attenuators commonly use an adjustable neutral density filter. Regardless of comparatively high price, this type has the benefits of being constant, wavelength insensitive, mode insensitive, and proposing a large dynamic range. Other systems such as LCD, variable air gap etc. have been tried over the years, but with partial accomplishment. These types of attenuators may be manually or motor controlled. Motor control attenuators give regular users a different productivity advantage, since commonly used test sequences can be run automatically.
Attenuator tuning is a main concern. The user naturally would like a total port to port correction. Also, calibration should frequently be at different wavelengths and power levels, as the device is not all the time linear. Nevertheless, a number of tools do not in fact offer these basic features, apparently in an effort to decrease cost. The most precise variable attenuator devices have thousands of tuning points, resulting in excellent overall accuracy in use.

What is a Fiber Optic Attenuator and what is it used for?

by http://www.fiber-mart.com

The Fiber Optic Networks are the fastest networks today. They provide high bandwidth, long distance, reliable network solution. The two main components of a stable Fiber Optic Network are optical transceivers and optical cables. The whole solution is based on an electrical signal converted into optical light and then being transmitted by the optical transceiver down an optical cable. This light travels down the cable through one or multiple optical fiber strands. Depending on the type of transceivers and cables, the bandwidth and distance of the connection may vary.
The ability of the optical transceivers to transmit the optical light down the cable depends on their optical power. One major characteristic of the optical power of transceivers is the optical data link bit error rate. Having too much, or too little power can result in high data link bit error rates causing an intermittent connection. When having too little power the noise inside the cable is starting to become a problem because it interferes with the optical light. Having too much power will cause the receiver amplifier to saturate beyond the limit. This is mainly happening in Single-mode systems with laser transmitters. This is known as optical fiber attenuation. Optical fiber attenuation refers to the loss of optical energy of the optical light which happens while the optical light travels through the cable.
Generally only Single-mode systems, and short distance particular, have the need for attenuators. Multi-mode attenuators don’t have the need for attenuators because their transmitters, even VCSELS, don’t have enough power to saturate receivers.
In the past when people ran into these kinds of problems their solution was to wrap the cable around a round object like a pen, until the power is evened out and the desired attenuation is met. However, as the fiber optic cable is subjected to various stress including banding, today we can easily avoid these problems with the help of the Fiber Optic Attenuator. The Fiber Optic Attenuator is a device that is used to lower down the optical power so the receiver doesn’t get saturated. In today’s attenuators the reducing of power is mostly done by absorbing the extra optical light. Today’s attenuators are ultra-precise in reducing the power to a fixed or adjustable amount. They are also used for testing of the dynamic range of photo sensors and detectors.
Fiber Optic Attenuators exist in various shapes and sizes, however the most known and used are:
Fixed Power Attenuators- These attenuators are a compact size attenuators designed to reduce the power to a certain amount. As the signal approaches the communication device the power of the signal is reduced. Because of the way they function they are reducing the signal reflection effect and provide a more accurate transmission of the data. These attenuators are available with either multi-mode or single-mode fibers. They are mainly used for single-mode solutions in the LAN, CATV and Service Providers.
Variable Power Attenuators- These attenuators are slightly bigger than the fixed attenuators. They are mainly used for testing or equalizing the power between two signals. Unlike the fixed attenuators, these attenuators can offer a wider range of adjustable power values. Their main function consists of directly blocking the optical light and as a consequence they are insensitive to polarization. They are also available for multi-mode and single-mode fibers.
All BlueOptics© Attenuators are developed for ultra-sensitive power adjustments. They are available with different connectors: LC-APC (SFA21BAXX), LC-PC (SFA21BKXX for Single-mode and, SFA21EKXX for Multi-mode) SC-PC (SFA22BKXX), SC-APC (SFA22BAXX) and ST-PC (SFA23BKXX). All BlueOptics© Attenuators have a ceramic ferrule guaranteeing the best attenuation values and working in temperatures between -40°C and +75°C. All BlueOptics© Attenuators are manufactured by the leading manufacturers for connectors like Amphenol, Diamond and Nissin Kasei. All BlueOptics© Attenuators are tested after their manufacturing process with a highly precise interferometer and Optical-Time-Domain-Reflectometry to ensure only the highest quality attenuators are offered on the market. All BlueOptics© Attenuators are standardized and they all meet the IEC-61034, IEC-754-1, IEC 60332-1, IEC 60332-3, IEC/EN 60950 and RoHS standards. They offer a lifetime of 1500 mating cycles, 25 years warranty and a lifetime support.

BlueLAN QSFP28 Direct Attach Cable

by http://www.fiber-mart.com

Through close collaboration with the company fiber-mart.com is always able to offer the latest and most innovative products on the market of networking technology. Through the ever-increasing demand for bandwidth existing solutions already reach their limits. Operators of high-speed network systems are therefore dependent on a rapid development and rapid availability of more powerful products.
As an interface for switches, routers, storage systems and servers gbic-shop.de now provides BlueLAN QSFP28 Direct Attach Cables according to the IEEE 802.3ba-100-Gb/s specifications, compliant with SFF-8665, for all applications that require a very high data transfer speed. They support the 100-Gb/s Ethernet protocol and the InfiniBand Enhanced Data Rate (EDR) protocol on up to 3 meter length (based on copper).
This passive direct attach twinax copper cable variant has eight differential copper pairs and has four data transmission channels at speeds of up to 28Gbps per channel (at 100G Ethernet this corresponds to 4x25Gbps). This 100G copper cable solution provides a unique construction with individually packaged two-axis pairs, which leads to a low insertion loss and low crosstalk.
BlueLAN QSFP28 Direct Attach Cables are suitable for the use in data centers, networks and telecommunication installations, which require high speed and reliable transmissions. This next generation which requires the same connection interface as known QSFP+ form factors, are also backwards compatible with 40G QSFP+ ports. QSFP28 cables therefore also support 10G and 40G applications without signal integrity loss.
After the proliferation of 40G applications and network solutions, this 100G Direct Attach cable variant is the latest innovation and will come to use in more and more data centers in the near future.fiber-mart.com already offers cost-efficient BlueLAN QSFP28 Direct Attach Cables as compatible version for large manufacturers such as Cisco.
All cables have an excellent quality and are manufactured according to the most modern production technologies, taking all generally accepted industry standards into account to achieve an integrated high-performance power.
Sure you get your competitive advantages for your Next Generation Network and optimize your CAPEX costs with this 100G solution.

What Fiber Patch Cords are available?

by http://www.fiber-mart.com

A fiber optic patch cord is a fiber optic cable having connectors at either end, which let it to be quickly and easily connected to optical transceiver in switch, router, or any other telecommunication equipment like optical line termination (OLT) or optical network terminal (ONT).
A fiber optic patch cord is made with a core having high refractive index, which is surrounded by a coating called cladding having low refractive index. That cladding again is reinforced and surrounded by a shielding cover for protection purpose. The core allows the transfer of optic signals with very little loss for great distances. The lower refractive index of cladding let the light back into the core. The light is reflected back into to core by phenomenon called total internal reflection. The protective shield over the cladding reduces physical damage to the core and cladding.
Regular fiber cable cladding measure 125 µm in diameter. As shown in the figure the core (inner diameter) measures 9 µm for single-mode cables, and 50 or 62.5 µm in multi-mode cables. Fiber cords can be categorized by transmission medium (shorter or longer distance) and by connector construction. Single mode fibers are generally yellow in color, having a blue connectors, and can achieve a longer transmission path. Whereas, multi-mode fibers are usually orange in color, having a cream color connector, and they can cover shorter transmission distance.
Connector types:
Standard connector design have LC, ST, SC, FC, MTRJ, MPO, MU, SMA, FDDI, E2000, DIN4, and D4. Fiber path cords are often classified by the connectors on the cable; some of the most common cable formations include FC-FC, SC-SC, FC-LC, FC-SC, FC-ST, and SC-ST.
LC known as Little Connectors, are small in size and are widely used in SFPs. ST knows as straight tip are similar to BNC connectors, widely used in fiber ODF. SC known as subscriber channel, these are larger in size as compare to LC, widely used in GBIC transceivers. MTRJ are the same as the size of RJ45 connectors. MU fiber optic connector have push-pull function, composed of plastic housing. It is almost half the size of SC connector. E2000 connector have push-pull connection mechanism, they have an automatic shutter inside for protection from dust. Fiber optic patch cords are formed in different ways, like SC-LC or SC-FC these types of cable are common connecting SFP transceivers from routers or switches to the fiber ODF. SC-SC, FC-FC and LC-LC simplex cables can be used to provide physical level optical loops. There are also different types of fiber optic patch cords, some of the types are mentioned below.
Armored Fiber Patch Cord:
Flexible stainless steel is used inside the outer lacked as the armor to protect fiber inside armored fiber optic patch cord. It holds all the features of typical fiber patch cord, however is quite stronger. These type of cable are widely used in longer distance transmission systems. Direct buried fibers, aerial fibers and undersea fiber optic cables are example of armored fiber optic cables. Each having their extra protection according to their application.
Bend Insensitive Fiber Optic Patch Cord:
Bend insensitive fiber patch cords are widely used in FTTH. This type of fiber is not sensitive to pressure and bending. As the fiber patch is not sensitive to pressure and bending, it can be easily used in cable ducts, or inside cable covers along with the walls. Bend insensitive fiber patch cord are sub divided into two categories, category A include G657A1 and G657A2, category B include G657B2 and G657B3 types of fiber. Bending radius for G657A1 fibers can be as low as 10 mm, for G657A2 and G657B2 it is 7.5 mm, the G657B3 can work on bending radius of 5 mm. this is to be noted here that G.657 Series fibers are single mode fibers.
Mode Conditioning Patch Cord:
Mode conditioning patch cords are necessary where Gigabit 1000 Base-LX switches and routers are installed into present multimode cable plants. When a single mode signal is launched into multimode fiber a phenomenon called Differential Mode Delay (DMD) can create multiple signals within the multimode fibers. This effect can confuse the receiver and produce the errors. These multiple signals, caused by DMD, severely limit the cable distance lengths for operating Gigabit Ethernet. A mode conditioning patch cord eliminates these multiple signals by letting the single-mode launch to be offset away from center of the multimode fiber. This offset point creates a launch that is similar to typical multimode LED launch and the resulting multiple signals allowing the use of 1000base-LX over existing multimode cable system.
Fiber optic patch cords are widely used from telecommunication networks to cable TV, from Local Area Network (LAN) to Wide Area Network (WAN), from transmission networks to data centers. As far as the right type of fiber optic patch cord is used, they have vast number of applications.

Singlemode vs Multimode Fiber Optic Cable

by http://www.fiber-mart.com

Fiber optic cables are being widely used in telecommunication and data networks around the world. Small networks like branch offices and large corporate offices having multiple campuses are making use of the fiber optic technologies to provide their users a reliable and efficient network.
Fiber optic cables use light as the medium to transfer the data signals from one end to the other end. Unlike the copper or coaxial cables, there is no electric pulse or current involved in the transmission of signal through a fiber optic cable. Fiber optic cables are available in two main categories, i.e. single-mode fiber and multimode fiber. This article will look into the details of the two types of fiber optic cables and portray the differences, benefits and use cases for both types of fiber.
Single-mode Fiber Optic Cable
Single-mode fiber optic cables are designed in such a way that it allows light to travel straight down the fiber core with least amount of diffraction and reflection. The light travels from source to the destination in a straight line. The core of the single-mode fiber optic cable is very thin, usually in the range of 8.0 – 10.5 micrometers. Single-mode fibers, due to their thin core and less reflection characteristics, are able to carry the signals over longer distances and achieve very high data transfer rates as compared to the multimode fiber optic cables.
The above-mentioned characteristics are beneficial for transmission networks that cover a very large geographical area, however, the increased efficiency is required in the transceivers of the single-mode fiber optic cables. Usually, a very precise and high intensity laser beam is used as a source of light in single-mode fiber optic transceivers. This results in higher costs of the transceivers. On the other hand, the thin core proves to be economical as far as the cost of the fiber optic cable is concerned.
From the above-mentioned arguments, it can be inferred that the single-mode fiber is useful for those networks where there is a requirement for high bandwidths (typically in the range of 10 Gbps – 100 Gbps), and longer distance links. The cost of installing a single-mode fiber optic network is justified in those cases.
Multimode Fiber Optic Cable
Multimode fiber optic cables are constructed in such a way that it allows light to travel through different paths inside the core of the fiber optic cable. The reason behind this is that the core of multimode fiber optic cable is thicker than that of the single-mode fiber optic cable. The core of multimode fiber optic cable is in the range of 50 – 100 micrometers. This thicker core allows the light to reflect and refract inside the core of the fiber optic cable and create multiple “modes” of the light.
The larger core of the multimode fiber optic cable also allows the use of light emitting diodes (LEDs) to be used as the light source for its transmission. This results in to the lower cost of allied electronics and transceivers for the multimode fiber optic cable.
The limitation for multimode fiber optic is the distance and bandwidths. Due to the less precise electronics and losses due to reflection and refraction, the multimode fiber optic cable is unable to carry the data over longer distance links and is also not capable to provide higher bandwidths. Several types of multimode fiber optic cables are available such as OM1, OM2, OM3 and OM4. The widely used 10 Gbps bandwidth is supported by OM4 fiber optic cable up to a distance of 400 meters only.
In the light of above facts, it can be concluded that the single-mode and multimode fiber optic cables are equally useful and beneficial if deployed in their relevant use cases. Single-mode fiber optic cable is beneficial for larger networks and multimode fiber optic cable is useful in smaller office networks where the maximum link distance is not a limiting factor. Multimode fiber optic networks are economical and present an excellent use case for such type of networks.