Micro Fiber Optic Cable Jump on the Bandwagon

In recent years, the industry has been focusing on reducing the footprint of fiber optic networks. It can be said about 2005 as the fiber optic supplier development and small bending radius (FBR) fiber, the trend toward smaller cable and hardware development had begun to appear. These new optical waveguide design appear soon, people will develop international standards to regulate. Subsequently, the fiber is gradually increased to the macro-and micro-bending of the bending tolerance, these can be “tied knot” of the fibers begin to achieve a smaller size to allow the cable design.

Small Bending Radius Fiber High Efficiency

Macro-bending phenomenon is a simple easy to understand. ITU G657 macro-bending performance requirements for special bend radius optical loss at the special specification. However, some saying that performance improved slightly curved main features from the small bend radius can achieve smaller size, higher performance cabling. A method for the analysis of the differences between the actual macro-bend and is slightly curved imagine the single fiber wound on your finger to measure fiber loss (macro-bend), according to the piece of sandpaper on the fiber and measuring the corresponding loss (micro-bending loss), and then compare the differences between the two.

In both cases, the basic optical signal loss phenomenon has a very big difference. When the fiber optic cable is exposed to low temperature environment, the material of the optical cable will tend to shrink, a force is applied along the length along the fiber, the force can cause micro-bending in the fiber optic cable. For example, slightly curved small margin improved bend radius fiber optic cable will undoubtedly help to withstand large temperature variations.

The fiber optic cable manufacturers are utilizing this feature small bending radius of the fiber, their desire is to be developed using the same as using copper cable- rugged, small size, practical, anyone can easily operate, and will not damage to the fiber. To achieve this goal, it is also the material used in the manufacturing process of the optical cable were innovative. Small bend radius fiber bending performance has been enhanced to promote the new materials and manufacturing techniques used in the manufacture of fiber optic cable, fiber optic cable so that the smaller size and lighter weight. Together to solve these problems and it can be produced smaller in size, greater flexibility of the new generation of optical fiber cable.

A major factor in the small radius of the fiber optic cable is plugged into the wiring and other direct connection cable. In addition to installing more fiber optic cables in the same space, beyond the obvious benefits, smaller cable size can also speed up the flow of air, because the cable duct space occupied by fewer. With active electronic component suppliers to try and merge the miniaturization of electronic enclosures, the importance of this advantage will become more apparent. In such electronic cabinets, heat gradually becomes an important issue. Typically, one would consider the airflow along the copper (copper itself generates heat), but with the equipment cabinet becomes smaller, heat, various aspects of flow becomes very important.

Smaller direct optical cable and fiber jumpers have emerged

Smaller, beyond imagination. This phenomenon may not be so obvious now, but the diameter of the round cable is reduced by one unit, the space occupied by the optical cable (the circular area) much reduced accordingly. Therefore, the optical cable typically 2.0mm to 1.2mm diameter cable compared can be clearly seen, while half the cable diameter is not reduced, but the number of cables in the same space (1 square inch) can be mounted almost in the original 3 times.

Late in the first decade of the 21st century, Telcordia widely used for GR-409 standard straight optical cable released revision 2. Revision 2, including the sub-categories called “mini” cable, in accordance with GR-409 standard allows lower production strength of optical cable. Revision 2 reduces the tensile strength of the so-called small package installation provisions, allowing optical cable to withstand 9 pounds (40N) of installed load, rather than 22 pounds (100N) standard mounting load. At the time, it is widely believed to reduce the intensity of the production of smaller cable size required. With a rated load of 22 pounds of optical cable compared to the rated tensile load is nine pounds of optical cable installation personnel require more careful to avoid damaging optical cable.

But, at present, some based on the small cable bending radius of optical cable, in fact, the materials used, the design, the method can make the cable size smaller, more than the original 22 pounds of GR – 409 tensile load. For example, 1.2 mm direct optical cable has been listed, can install support 30 pounds of rated load. Compared with small rating of 2.0 mm cable, which means that the diameter of 1.2 mm of the strength of the new type of optical fiber cable is 3 times as much, and will only take up a third space.

So, soon after, data center managers and other staff will be able to install much smaller in size than the previous cable, while not passively select GR-409 is a small package, so as not to reduce the optical cable strength. Look forward to in the near future, we can see more than ever with a smaller size of the hardware, so you can achieve higher density, more compact cabling management, while ensuring the reliability of the network.