85% of network failures are caused by dirty connectors. The connectors entrusted to carry the critical information that passes through your network deserve far more than a wipe on a t-shirt. As data center bandwidth continues to increase, adherence to best practice fiber endface cleaning and inspection methods must improve. Download AFL’s best practices guide for cleaning.
Operators are lining up to deploy 5G technology. That means small cell architectures, centralized and cloud radio access networks (C-RANs) – and lots of optical communications technology. This issue of On Topic examines the role fiber optics likely will play in 5G deployment, describes the options available, and offers tips for successful deployment strategies.
Light Brigade, AFL’s industry-leading training and education division, is introducing a large selection of live, remote training options. The new Remote Classroom Sessions deliver personalized training in a convenient and essential live, online learning format.
This webinar will provide an overview of port breakout, defined as taking a parallel port and breaking it down to a lower speed port in the cabling (40G- 10G, etc.), and its implications on structured cabling. We will also cover a new trend of certain customers wanting to break out transceiver ports at the transceiver interface and not in the structured cabling. This trend is leading the industry to evaluate new smaller form factor connectors. We will introduce the proposed new connector designs and discuss the applications where they will potentially be used.
During the IWCS March webinar, Dr. Earl Parsons of @CommScope compared the return loss of flat and angled MPO connectors with multimode fibers.
As fiber-optic cabling continues to grow in popularity, it is being installed in more types of environments than ever before. Some of these environments have inherent restrictions on or challenges to routing, installation, termination, and verification practices. While some recommended practices apply across a broad range of applications and environments, other fiber deployments require unique or specialized practices. This webcast looks at fiber deployment in different environments, including an examination of multiple termination styles, proper test procedures, cleaning processes, and inspection techniques.
AFL is supporting efforts in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic by creating face shields for the medical industry.Using 3D printing technology, more than 100 face shields engineered by the manufacturer have been sent to local hospitals in South Carolina, including the Spartanburg Medical Center, Pelham Medical Center and another upstate hospital, with more expected to be printed and dispersed.
Network infrastructure and service providers have done a great job of adapting to this “new normal.” They have adjusted and optimized their operations so they can deliver to people working from home the broadband connectivity they need to receive and send emails, download files, videoconference, and use a variety of Software as a Service (SaaS) applications while other members of their family e-learn, stream videos or play online games.
A quick tutorial on bend radius from the Fiber Optic Association: All FO cables have specs that must not be exceeded during install to prevent irreparable damage to the cable: pulling tension, min bend radius, crush loads. Installers must understand these specs & know how to pull cables without damaging them. Why is it important? Not following bend radius guidelines can lead to cable damage. If the cable is damaged in installation, the manufacturer’s warranty is voided. That means if you are pulling a cable over a pulley, that pulley should have a min radius of 260mm/10″ or a diameter of 520mm/20″ – don’t get radius and diameter mixed up!
Corning is reorganizing its operating structure into one that aligns executive management and business teams around five market access platforms (MAPs): Mobile Consumer Electronics, Optical Communications, Automotive, Life Sciences, and Display. Michael A. Bell has been named senior vice president and general manager of the Optical Communications MAP. He will take over from Clark S. Kinlin, executive VP of Optical Communications who plans to retire after a transition period.
