Join AFL for our three-part webinar series that addresses How High Count Fiber Optics Power Today’s Hyperscale Market.
The webinars will take place over sessions and cover the following topics: Hyperscale market applications, Hyperscale solutions and future technology developments. The series starts on May 5.
While it would be nice to think that every reel of cable coming out of the factory is in perfect condition, that’s not always the case. Furthermore, what’s not to say that the reel wasn’t damaged during shipping and handling? Just imagine testing the cable plant after installation only to find out that the cable is faulty—now that’s time and money lost! Testing and documenting newly-delivered spools can also let you determine reel-to-reel consistency to keep your cabling vendors honest. Not to mention that it can help determine the cable was mishandled during installation, refuting blame by giving you proof that all was good before installation.
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.
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.
Polarity is a critical part of any fiber network. Polarity means that a fiber optic link’s transmit signal at one end of the cable must match the corresponding receiver at the other end. While this concept might seem simple, it becomes more complex with multifiber cables and MPO connectors. Leviton’s new Universal Polarity Fiber Cassettes allow for the same interchangeable cassette on both ends of a Method B trunk in a fiber channel, reducing the complexity of a fiber network, ensuring consistent polarity, and streamlining network deployment.
Cabling is the number one cause of Industrial Ethernet problems. This new flyer from Fluke Networks shows how you can find cabling problems in just four seconds.
When we caught up with four members of the TIA’s Fiber Optic Technology Consortium after their panel discussion at the BICSI Winter Conference, we asked them questions they didn’t have the opportunity to address on-stage. Among the topics: the installed base of singlemode, multimode’s future, keeping MPOs clean, and high-speed connectivity.
Simulating real-world fiber optic links and time delays in the lab environment is both a frequent and necessary task for engineers performing R&D and equipment certification testing processes. With the evolution to more advanced network architecture, increasing speeds of 400G and beyond, and latency always being a key element, replicating the field network as closely as possible in the lab is critical to ensure systems will perform as expected post-deployment.
The Modular Plug Terminated Link, or MPTL, where a horizontal cable run terminated on one end to an RJ-45 plug connects directly into a device, has become increasingly popular for connecting a variety of devices—from wireless access points and security cameras, to PoE lights and video displays—essentially wherever it’s deemed impractical or unsafe to deploy an outlet and equipment cord. Approved within ANSI-TIA 568.2-D as an option for connecting devices, MPTLs aren’t just popular in North America. But some of you have asked about regions that don’t follow TIA standards, and if it possible to test an MPTL to ISO/IEC or CENELEC standards. While the short answer is “not yet,” you can still make sure your MPTLs will perform.
Do you Inspect Before You Connect? The VIAVI full-size wall poster will serve as a helpful reminder that Contamination is the #1 Reason to Troubleshoot Optical Networks. Dirty connectors cause 80% of field test failures. Microscopic debris significantly degrades signal performance and can cause permanent damage. Mating dirty connectors can break apart, spread, and migrate particles. And a typical dust particle is 2 to 15 µm and is only visible with a microscope.
