FBT Splitters vs. PLC Splitters: What Are the Differences?

Fiber optic splitters play an increasingly significant role in many of today’s optical network topologies. They provide capabilities that help users maximize the functionality of optical network circuits from FTTx systems to traditional optical networks. And usually they are placed in the central office or in one of the distribution points (outdoor or indoor). This article will tell something about optical splitters.

What Is Fiber Optic Splitter?

 

A fiber optic splitter is a passive optical device that can split or separate an incident light beam into two or more light beams. These beams may or may not have the same optical power as the original beam, based on the configuration of the splitter. By means of construction, the outputs of a splitter can have varying degrees of throughput, which is highly beneficial when designing optical networks, whether the splitter is used for network monitoring or for a loss budget in a passive optical network (PON) architecture. Generally, there are two types of fiber optic splitters, which are FBT (fused biconical taper) splitters and PLC (planar lightwave circuit) splitters.

 

FBT Splitters

 

FBT is the traditional technology in which two fibers are placed closely together, typically twisted around each other and fused together by applying heat while the assembly is being elongated and tapered. A signal source controls the desired coupling ratio. The fused fibers are protected by a glass substrate and then protected by a stainless steel tube, typically 3 mm diameter by 54 mm long. FBT splitters are widely accepted and used in passive optical networks. The following picture shows a 1×2 FBT splitter single-mode three window fiber splitter with ABS box.

 

PLC Splitters

 

The PLC splitters are used to separate or combine optical signals. A PLC is a micro-optical component based on planar lightwave circuit technology and provides a low cost light distribution solution with small form factor and high reliability. PLCs are manufactured using silica glass waveguide circuits that are aligned with a v-groove fiber array chip that uses ribbon fiber. Once everything is aligned and bonded, it is then packaged inside a miniature housing. PLC splitters have high quality performance, such as low insertion loss, low PDL, high return loss, etc. The following is a picture of 1×8 blockless PLC splitter.

 

Comparison Between FBT Splitters and PLC Splitters

 

The differences between FBT splitters and PLC splitters are described in the following table.

 

In a word, the FBT splitters have lower costs but restricted to the operating wavelength, and the maximum insertion loss will vary depending on the split and increase substantially for those splits over 1:8. While the PLC splitters, with higher costs, have equal splitter ratios for all branches as well as low failure rate.

FS.COM Fiber Optic Splitters Solution

 

As a leading supplier in fiber optic communication industry, FS.COM provides various kinds of PLC splitters and FBT splitters. Moreover, our fiber optic splitter quality and performance is not only guaranteed by using high-quality components and stringent manufacturing processes and equipment, but also by adherence to a successful quality assurance program, which can be checked in “FS.COM Quality Assurance Program for PLC Splitter”. For more details, you can visit www.fs.com.

Originally published: www.fiberopticshare.com/fbt-splitters-vs-plc-splitters-differences.html

Basis of Pre-terminated Trunk Cable Assemblies

Pre-terminated trunk cable assemblies provide an ideal plug-and-play solution for links between switches, servers, patch panels, and zone distribution areas in the data center. Compared with field-terminated cabling, the pre-terminated cable assemblies can accelerate the process, reduce costs and errors, and can help bring your data center online in less time. This article will tell something about pre-terminated cabling.

What Can Pre-terminated Trunk Cables Achieve?

 

There are many benefits of deploying pre-terminated cable assemblies.

• Increase Speed of Deployment

Field termination is the most time-consuming, labor-intensive part of the cable installation process. Once pre-terminated cable assemblies are delivered, they are ready for deployment, and can be connected quickly. In many cases, pre-terminated cables can cut installation time by up to 80% over field terminations.

• No Need for Performance Testing

The transmission testing of pre-terminated cable assemblies is performed by the manufacturer before shipment, and test reports are included with the assemblies. This leaves only continuity testing for copper and 10% insertion loss and continuity testing for fiber, which reduces the time spent testing on-site.

• Reduce Downtime With Faster, More Flexible MACs

With pre-terminated solutions, data center managers can make changes quickly based on network growth, business decisions, or shifting requirements. In disaster recovery situations that call for fast, temporary data communications set-up, pre-terminated cabling can minimize business downtime and establish communications quickly. It can be disassembled quickly when the situation is resolved. The components are reusable for more efficient moves, adds, and changes (MACs).

• Cut Clean-up Time

Pre-terminated solutions allow for quick clean-up due to minimal leftover materials and scrap. Also, because there is less waste material to clean up, pre-terminated solutions also help meet green design, waste reduction, and material reuse goals.

Common Types of Pre-terminated Trunk Cables

 

There are pre-terminated fiber cabling and pre-terminated copper cabling. This part will introduce two kinds of commonly used pre-terminated trunk cable assemblies: pre-terminated fiber trunk cable, and pre-terminated copper trunk cable.

• MTP/MPO Trunk Cables

Pre-terminated with MTP/MPO connectors on both ends, the MTP/MPO trunk cables provide a quick-to-deploy, scalable solution that improves reliability and reduces installation time and cost. They are capable of supporting multiple users or devices from one point to another while distributing multiple data channels, which is a convenient and economical alternative to running multiple jumpers or patch cables. Generally 12-fiber MTP/MPO trunk cables and 24-fiber MTP/MPO trunk cables are commonly used separately for 40G applications and 100G applications. The following picture is a 12-fiber female to female MTP single-mode trunk cable.

 

There are also high fiber count MTP/MPO trunk cables which have several legs on both ends. The following picture shows a 72-fiber MTP/MPO trunk cable. There are 6 legs on both ends with each leg terminated with a 12-fiber MTP/MPO connectors.

• Pre-terminated Copper Trunk Cables

The pre-terminated copper trunk cable is a bundle of category cables, built with a choice of 6, 12, or 24 cable bundle and factory terminated with jacks and plugs. They allow fast and easy installation with reduced labor costs in large copper infrastructures with high-density cross-connection and patching systems. The pre-terminated copper cable assemblies offered by FS.COM are pre-bundled and pre-labeled styles, available in Cat 5e, Cat 6 and Cat 6a UTP and STP cable constructions with each available in jack to jack, plug to plug and jack to plug termination ends.

 

How to Choose the Suitable Pre-terminated Trunk Cables?

 

When selecting pre-terminated cable assemblies, the following tips are for your reference.

• Be sure to use a reliable vendor that can offer services such as guaranteed cabling performance, design assistance, certified contractor training, and the ability to support large quantities of assemblies in the required delivery window.

• Make sure the pre-terminated fiber or copper cabling purchased through a manufacturer uses components that have been tested and verified by a third party to exceed TIA and IEEE standards. The manufacturer should also provide 100% testing in a quality-controlled environment before the cabling is shipped out to the work site.

Summary

 

Pre-terminated trunk cable assemblies are perfect for data centers and other applications where speed and testing simplify installation. They help to save time, and labor. FS.COM provides various kinds of high-quality but low-price pre-terminated cable assemblies. And all of them are tested before shipment. If you need, please visit www.fs.com.

Originally published: www.fiberopticshare.com/basis-pre-terminated-trunk-cable-assemblies.html

Single-mode Fiber vs. Multimode Fiber: Which to Choose?

With bandwidth demand increasing in enterprise and data center networks, the system designers may believe that single-mode fiber enjoys an increasing advantage over multimode fiber in premises applications. But higher Ethernet speeds do not automatically mean that single-mode fiber is the right choice even though it holds advantages in terms of bandwidth and reach for longer distances. Multimode fiber can easily support most distance requirements in enterprise and data center networks, and it is a more cost-effective choice over single-mode fiber for the shorter reach applications. So single-mode fiber and multimode fiber, which one to choose?

Differences Between Single-mode Fiber and Multimode Fiber

 

 

At the very first beginning, let’s make clear the differences between single-mode fiber and multimode fiber. Generally, single-mode fibers have a small core size (<10 µm) that permits only one mode or ray of light to be transmitted. This tiny core requires precision alignment to inject light from the transceiver into the core, significantly driving up transceiver costs. By comparison, multimode fibers have larger cores (62.5 µm or 50 µm) that guide many modes simultaneously. The larger core makes it much easier to capture light from a transceiver, allowing source costs to be controlled.

Similarly, multimode connectors cost less than single-mode connectors as a result of the more stringent alignment requirements of single-mode fiber. Single-mode connections require greater care and skill to terminate, which is why components are often pre-terminated at the factory. On the other hand, multimode connections can be easily performed in the field, offering installation flexibility, cost savings and peace of mind.

The light propagation between single-mode fiber and multimode fiber is totally different. Multimode fiber has two types of light propagation—step index and graded index, while single-mode fiber has only one step index. And the light propagation reduces less in the single-mode fiber’s transmissions than that of multimode fiber.

The following table shows the main differences between single-mode fiber and multimode fiber.

 

 

How to Choose One Over the Other?

 

 

Choosing the single-mode fiber or multimode fiber is based on your transmission distance need and the overall budget allowed. Single-mode fiber is normally used for long distance transmissions with laser diode based fiber optic transmission equipment, while multimode fiber is usually used for short distance transmissions with LED based fiber optic equipment. If the distance is less than a couple of miles, multimode fiber will work well. And the transmission costs, including both transmitter and receiver sides, will be in the range of $ 500 to $ 800. If the distance to be covered is more than 3-5 miles, single-mode fiber is the choice. And the transmission systems designed for use with single-mode fiber will typically cost more than $ 1000 due to increased cost of the laser diode.

Conclusion

 

 

Generally, multimode fiber is more cost-effective choice for data center applications up to 550 meters. Single-mode fiber is best used for distances exceeding 550 meters. Besides the transmission distance, the overall cost should also be taken into consideration. Whether single-mode fiber or multimode fiber, choosing the one that best suits your network is the smartest choice.

 Originally published: www.fiberopticshare.com