Category: WDM & Optical Network

The Real Reasons Why You Need Fiber Media Converters

Network technology isn’t sexy. Debating the various forms of network technology that exists today most people don’t sit around. As boring as watching paint dry, the fact of the matter is that computer networks.

Network technology isn’t sexy. Debating the various forms of network technology that exists today most people don’t sit around. As boring as watching paint dry, the fact of the matter is that computer networks.

And the only people you might be find debating the various pros and cons are true geeks when it comes to the underlying technology of these networks.

Fiber media converters are not different. And using copper connections to maintain your network before you think that you can spend the rest of your life think again. The top 2 reasons why you might need to invest in a quality media converter must be considered.

And yes, as interesting as possible we’ll try to make this. Here we go.

Distance is the simple reason why you need a media converter. Where it’s only really good for about 300 feet Copper has intrinsic limitations. To make the network at least make it operational or really powerful after that you need to add some fiber.

You must buy fiber media converters from reputed dealers. The real reason for copper’s distance limitations probably has something to do with copper’s inherent physical properties, but regardless, when paired up with fiber a media converter will extend copper’s effectiveness.

Save some money. Everyone prefers to save some money always. There is no reason why you should completely wire your office (or building) in fiber from the start if you want to save a whole bunch of money and redo your network completely.

It will be more than worth your while if you can save substantial money by investing in a simple media converter from fiber media converters manufacturer, which is as attractive as an option as having a business that is completely fiber.

Meeting the eye at first glance there is more to media converter story. Before you invest your hard earned money and take off get informed about media converters. In the right situation, a media converter can make a lot of sense.

What Fiber Attenuator Do You Use? LC Attenuator or SC?

Fiber optic attenuator is an essential passive component in the optical communication system. With the advancement of DWDM technology, as well as the potential to flexibly upgrade the reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer (ROADM), the demand for optical attenuator is sure to soar, especially for optical variable attenuator.

Fiber optic attenuator is an essential passive component in the optical communication system. With the advancement of DWDM technology, as well as the potential to flexibly upgrade the reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer (ROADM), the demand for optical attenuator is sure to soar, especially for optical variable attenuator.

 

Types of Fiber Optic Attenuators

 

Optical attenuator takes a number of different forms. They are typically grouped as fixed optical attenuator and optical variable attenuator.

 

Fixed Optical Attenuator

Fixed attenuator, as the name of which has indicated clearly, is designed to have an unchanging level of attenuation, expressed in dB, such as 1dB, 5dB, 10dB, etc. Fixed value attenuators consist of in-line type and connector type. In-line type looks like a plain fiber patch cable. It has a fiber cable terminated with two connectors which you can specify types. Connector type attenuator looks like a bulk head fiber connector, with a male connector interface on one end and a female interface connector on the opposite end. It mates to regular connectors of the same type such as FC, ST, SC and LC. Their applications include telecommunication networks, optical fiber test facility, Local Area Network (LAN) and CATV systems.

Optical Variable Attenuator

Optical variable attenuator, or variable optical attenuator, generally uses a variable neutral density filter. It has advantages of being stable, wavelength insensitive, mode insensitive, and offering a large dynamic range. Variable optical attenuator is generally used for testing and measurement, but it is also widely adopted in EDFAs (Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifier) for equalizing the light power among different channels. Basically, there are two types of optical variable attenuator: stepwise variable attenuator and continuously variable attenuator. Stepwise variable attenuator can change the attenuation of the signal in known steps such as 0.1 dB, 0.5 dB or 1 dB. Continuously variable optical attenuator produces precise level of attenuation with flexible adjustment. Thus, operators are able to adjust the attenuator to accommodate the changes required quickly and precisely without any interruption to the circuit.

 

How to Use Fixed Fiber Attenuator?

 

As shown in the figure below, fixed fiber optic attenuators should be always installed at the receiver end of the link (X in the drawing). This is because it’s more convenient to test the receiver power before and after attenuation or while adjusting it with your power meter at the receiver, plus any reflectance will be attenuated on its path back to the source.

For female to male fixed fiber optic attenuators, we can plug the patch cord to the female fiber optic adapter of the attenuator. And then plug the male plug connector of the attenuator to the equipment directly. For female to female fixed fiber optic attenuators, we should plug the two patch cords to the two female fiber optic adapter of the attenuator (shown in the figure below).

 

Conclusion

Fiber optic attenuator is a passive device used to reduce the power level of an optical signal because too much light can overload a fiber optic receiver and degrade the bit error ratio (BER). To achieve the best BER, the light power must be reduced by using fiber optic attenuator. Fiber-MART provides optical attenuators with various connector types, such as FC/SC/ST/LC/E2000, available with APC or UPC polish. Any question pls feel free to contact me at service@fiber-mart.com

Passive CWDM VS DWDM – Which to choose?

With current industry advancements trend that has equalized costs of transceivers, in technical battle of CWDM vs DWDM more advancements are in DWDM.

With current industry advancements trend that has equalized costs of transceivers, in technical battle of CWDM vs DWDM more advancements are in DWDM.

 

Lets compare passive CWDM vs DWDM from pure technical application viewpoint:

 

CWDM vs DWDM – Channel Uniformity:

As CWDM spectrum for 18 channels spans from 1260nm up to 1620nm compared to DWDM C-band 1530 – 1565 nm, CWDM has weakness from channel uniformity aspect. Attenuation in wide spectrum is different based on wavelength – for example, typical attenuation of G.652.C optical fiber is 0.38 dB/km at 1310nm wavelength and 0.22 dB/km at 1550nm. So in CWDM system You can get quite great disparity of channel optical performance using different CWDM wavelength. Uniformity of optical channels across whole 1260-1620nm spectrum depends on fiber cable specification. – we suggest checking carefully if You plan using passive CWDM. Especially it is very important for old G.652 specification fiber – it has so called “water-peak” phenomena in range of 1390 and 1490 nm that are not usable for CWDM connections at all. DWDM is clear winner here – due it’s narrow spectrum channel properties on same fiber will be almost identical.

 

CWDM vs DWDM – Capacity:

It’s clear winner here – while maximum capacity of CWDM system is 18 wavelengths all spectrum, DWDM using traditional C-Band 1530 – 1565 nm allow to have 45 100GHz spaced DWDM channels, but with introduction of 50 GHz spaced transceivers we can double number of channels up to 90. In future, we can expect to have 25 GHz and even 12.5 GHz frequency offset even multiplying number of possible channels to 180 or 360. If that is not enough – there is S-band (1460-1530 nm) and L-band (1565-1625 nm) which can be used with DWDM as well, just is not mainstream yet.

 

CWDM vs DWDM – Distance:

Maximum distance of xWDM connection depends on two main factors – maximum budget of optical transceivers and attenuation of all passive elements – fiber itself, number of joints and splices, attenuation of passive filters (Chromatic dispersion as well, but we don’t consider it much a factor up to 80km). If looking on 10G connection data rate, with both, CWDM and DWDM, passive technologies You can have up to 23 dB guaranteed budget using popular SFP+ transceivers (With XFP You can have 26dB budget), what is enough to have 80km WDM link with both technologies. But big advantage of DWDM is, that due it’s narrow spectral width it’s possible to use cost efficient and widely available EDFA (Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier) boosters, which is one very cost efficient way allowing extension of DWDM reach.

 

CWDM vs DWDM – Spare Parts:

Even optical transceivers are mature elements and failure-rates are very uncommon, introducing WDM technology You would like to have backup stock of all active elements. If You are planning to have just small scale deployment and connect just two or few network nodes, it could mean that You basically need to back up everything – resulting on doubling up of your investment. DWDM is a winner here as well, due availability of Tunable DWDM transceivers, with can replace all Your different wavelength DWDM transceivers with one or two units.

 

Conclusion

CWDM still has price advantages for connection rates below 10G and for short distances with low data rates it’s currently most feasible technology. For more information,welcome to visit www.fiber-mart.com, pls feel free to contact me at service@fiber-mart.com

WDM Filter Technology

As an unprecedented opportunity to dramatically increase the bandwidth capacity, WDM(Wavelength Division Multiplexing) technology is an ideal solution to get more bandwidth and lower cost in nowadays telecommunications networks. WDM Filters can separate or combine optical signals carried on different wavelengths in a cost-effective manner.

 

Splitters versus Filters

One issue with WDM-PON(Passive Optical Network) is that there is no industry-accepted definition. WDM-PON is an architecture based on optical filters rather than Fiber Optic Filter. Following are two reasons:

One is insertion loss. Choosing filters implies arrayed waveguide gratings (AWGs). No other filter technology is seriously considered for WDM-PON if filters are used.

With an AWG, the insertion loss is independent of the number of wavelengths supported. This differs from using a splitter-based architecture where every 1×2 device introduces a 3dB loss. Using a 1×64 splitter, the insertion loss is 14 or 15dB whereas for a 40-channel AWG the loss can be as low as 4dB. Thus using filters rather than splitters, the insertion loss is much lower for a comparable number of client ONUs.

There is also a cost benefit associated with a low insertion loss. To limit the cost of next-generation PON, the transceiver design must be constrained to a 25dB power budget associated with existing PON transceivers.

To live with transceivers with a 25dB power budget, the insertion loss of the passive distribution network must be minimised, explaining why filters are favoured.

The other main benefit of using filters is security. With a filter-based PON, wavelength point-to-point connections result. This is an issue with PON where traffic is shared.

 

Arrayed Waveguide Grating (AWG)

AWG, including Athermal AWG (AAWG) and Thermal AWG (TAWG), is commonly used as optical MUX/DeMUX in WDM systems. AAWG have equivalent performance to standard TAWG but require no electrical power, software or temperature.

 

Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG)

FBGs are versatile wavelength filters for multiplexing and demultiplexing WDM signals. They also can compensate for chromatic dispersion that can degrade the quality of the WDM signal in an optical fiber.

 

Thin Film Filter (TFF)

Thin film filters were adopted very early on and have been widely deployed since because they have the unique attributes that meet the stringent requirements of optical communication systems. The main advantage of thin film filters is its ability to achieve high accuracy in processing in small device sizes when compared it to competing technologies.

 

 

Conclusion

1310/1490/1550 FTTX FWDM is based on filter based platform for optical device. 1490/1310/1550nm FTTH FWDM can realize the multiplexing and demultiplexing of two communication signal 1490/1310 and 1550nm. filter-based WDM components have much wider operating bandwidth, lower insertion loss, higher power handling, high isolation, etc and Achieve two-way communication, which is widely used in the upgrade and expansion of optical networks. For more information, welcome to visit www.fiber-mart.com or contact me at service@fiber-mart.com

The Advantages of CATV EDFA

Optical amplifiers serve as an integrated part of long haul data transmission. Fiber optical transponders and fiber optical amplifier are used in the WDM fiber optic system, and it makes WDM transmission possible.

Optical amplifiers serve as an integrated part of long haul data transmission. Fiber optical transponders and fiber optical amplifier are used in the WDM fiber optic system, and it makes WDM transmission possible. In recent years,fiber optic CATV EDFA System especially 1500nm optical fiber CATV System is being rapidly develop in our country.

What is EDFA?

Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier is short for EDFA,which was applied in 90 s in the optical fiber transmission system and its popularization and application of optical fiber communication technology has brought a revolution.EDFA is in small volume,low power consumption,easy to us.What’s more,it is convenient to install all kinds of application systems,such as SDH frame inside,CATV machine box, DWDM system frame.as one of a functional modes of the Optical fiber amplifier system,there are generally two kinds of methods to insert the network management system.One is 232 c interface circuit with optical fiber amplifier to transfer parameters of the optical fiber amplifier and alarm information to the network management system,unified management,display and disposal.

An EDFA is an optical amplifier based on Erbium-doped optical fiber, that amplifies optical signals without converting them into electrical form. EDFAs use semiconductor lasers to pump Erbium Doped Fiber to amplify light in 1.5 μm wavelength region where telecom fibers have their loss minimum. It has low noise and can amplify many wavelengths simultaneously, which makes DWDM possible and becomes a key enabling technology for optical communication networks. Since the realization of EDFA, it has developed rapidly and has become the amplifier choice for most applications in optical communication.

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Advantages of CATV EDFA

EDFA is in the low noise,has the characteristics of good gain trace,large amplifier bandwidth,compatible with wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) systems,with high efficiency,work performance is stable,mature technology and so on and so forth.It is very popular in the modern long-distance high-speed optical communication system.

◆ Good character：

Before the pump generally use 980 nm,after level pump use 1480 nm.Minimizing the NF of EDFA by reasonable optimization to make the system access excellent CNR.

◆ Reliability：

Use 1 u 19 “standard rack, built-in high-performance switching power supply.It can work in 85∽265 vac enterprise voltage.DC48V power supply (reservations) can be an option,too.Chassis cooling can be automatic temperature control.

◆ Intuition：

This machine contains a microprocessor to monitor the working state of the pump laser, LCD displays the working parameters.

◆ Network management model：

Options type monitoring transponder to ensure to meet the national standard with the SCTE HMS standards, which can realize network management monitoring.

◆ Adjustable output optical power：

Output optical power can be changed to -3dB.

◆ The power plug type：

Aluminum structure plug type switching power supply.Be good for heat dissipation and replacement.

 

Conclusion

The most prominent feature of optical amplifier is that the device can amplify optical signal directly without the need to convert the signal into an electrical one before amplifying. EDFA (Erbium-doped Fiber Amplifier) is the one type of many different optical amplifiers that can achieve signal amplification over long-hual optical communication. Fiber-MART provides broad optical amplification solutions for different applications, from telecom, datacom to CATV and has strong technology and experience to design and manufacture EDFA, EYDFA, Raman and Raman-EDFA hybrid. You can save cost by using the most efficient Fiber-Mart CWDM & DWDM Networks solutions. Pls feel free to contact me at service@fiber-mart.com

Understanding of FTTx Network

FTTx technology plays an important role in providing higher bandwidth for global network. And FTTx (fiber to the x) architecture is a typical example of substituting copper by fiber in high data rate traffic.

FTTx technology plays an important role in providing higher bandwidth for global network. And FTTx (fiber to the x) architecture is a typical example of substituting copper by fiber in high data rate traffic.According to the different termination places, the common FTTx architectures include FTTH, FTTB, FTTP, FTTC and FTTN. This article will introduce these architectures respectively.

 

What is FTTx Network?

FTTx, also called as fiber to the x, is a collective term for any broadband network architecture using optical fiber to provide all or part of the local loop used for last mile telecommunications.

 

 

Different FTTx Architectures

FTTP: fiber-to-the-premises, is a loosely used term, which can encompass both FTTH and FTTB or sometimes is used a particular fiber network that includes both homes and businesses. It depends on how the context is used and specific location of where the fiber terminates. FTTP can offer higher bandwidth than any other broadband services, so operators usually use this technology to provide triple-play services.

FTTH: as indicated by the name fiber-to-the-home, fiber from the central office reaches the boundary of the living space, such as a box on the outside wall of a home. Once at the subscriber’s living or working space, the signal may be conveyed throughout the space using any means, such as twisted pair, coaxial pair, wireless, power line communication, or optical fiber. Passive optical networks (PONs) and point-to-point Ethernet are architectures that deliver triple play services over FTTH networks directly from a operator’s central office.

FTTB (fiber to the building) — Fiber terminates at the boundary of the building. A fiber cable in FTTB installation goes to a point on a shared property and the other cabling provides the connection to single homes, offices or other spaces. FTTB applications often use active or passive optical networks to distribute signals over a shared fiber optic cable to individual households of offices.

FTTC( fiber-to-the curb or -cabinet), is a telecommunication system where fiber optic cables run directly to a platform near homes or any business environment and serves several customers. Each of these customers has a connection to this platform via coaxial cable or twisted pair. The term “curb” is an abstraction and just as easily means a pole-mounted device or communications closet or shed. Typically any system terminating fiber within 1000 ft (300 m) of the customer premises equipment would be described as FTTC. A perfect deployment example of FTTC is a DLC/NGDLC (digital loop carrier) which provides phone service.

FTTN (fiber to the node) — Fiber terminates in a street cabinet, which may be miles away from the customer premises, with the final connections being copper. One of the main benefits of FTTN is the ability to deliver data over more efficient fiber optic lines, rather than other fiber optic lines with greater speed restriction

 

Conclusion

The advent of FTTx network is of great significance for people around the world. As it has a higher speed, costs less, and carries more capacity than twisted pair conductor or coaxial cables. Fiber-Mart can provide customized service ,pls don’t hesitate to contact me at service@fiber-mart.com