Category Archives: Fiber Optic Cable

Migrating to 40/100G With OM3/OM4 Fiber

To meet the continuously increased requirements, data center 40/100G migration is underway. The infrastructure of data centers for the 40G/100G should meet the requirements like high speed, reliability, manageability and flexibility. To meet these requirements, product solutions and the infrastructure topology including cabling must be considered in unison. Cable deployment in the data center plays an important part. The cable used in data center must be selected to provide support for data rate applications not only of today but also the future. Today, two types of multimode fiber—OM3 and OM4 fibers (usually with aqua color)—have gradually become the media choice of data center during 40/100G migration. This article illustrates OM3/OM4 multimode fibers in 40/100G migration in details.

Data Center and Multimode Fibers

Multimode fiber is being widely used in data centers. You might ask why not single-mode fiber? The answer is cost. As is known to all, the price of single-mode fiber is generally more expensive than multimode fiber. In addition multimode fibers provide a significant value proposition when compared to single-mode fiber, as multimode fiber utilizes low cost 850 nm transceivers for serial and parallel transmission. If you had all money you wanted and you’d just run single-mode fiber which has all the bandwidth you need, then you can go plenty of distance. However, this perfect situation would cost a lot of money. Thus, most data center would choose multimode fiber. OM1, OM2, OM3 and OM4 are the most popular multimode fiber. But OM3 and OM4 are gradually taking place of OM1 and OM2 in data centers.

OM

OM stands for optical multimode. OM3 and OM4 are both laser-optimized multimode fibers with 50/125 core, which are designed for use with 850nm VCSELS (vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser) and are developed to accommodate faster networks such as 10, 40 and 100 Gbps. Compared with OM1 (62.5/125 core) and OM2 (50/125 core), OM3 and OM4 can transport data at higher rate and longer distance. The following statistics (850 nm Ethernet Distance) shows the main differences between these four types multimode fibers, which can explain why OM3 and OM4 is more popular in data center now in some extent.

850 nm Ethernet Distance
Fiber Type 1G 10G 40/100G
OM1 300 m 36 m N/A
OM2 500 m 86 m N/A
OM3 1 km 300 m 100 m
OM4 1 km 550 m 150 m

 

Why Use OM3 and OM4 in 40/100G Migration

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.3ba 40/100G Ethernet Standard was ratified in June 2010. The standard provides specific guidance for 40/100G transmission with multimode and single-mode fibers. OM3 and OM4 are the only multimode fibers included in the standard. The reason why OM3 and OM4 are applied in 40/100G migration is that they can meet the requirements for the migration cabling performance.

Bandwidth, total connector insertion loss and transmission distance are two three main factors should be considered when evaluation the performance needed for cabling infrastructure to meet the requirements for 40/100G. These factors can impact the cabling infrastructure’s ability to meet the standard’s distance of at least 100 meters over OM3 fiber and 150 meters over OM4 fiber. The following explains why OM3/OM4 are the chosen ones for 40/100G migration.

Get Higher Bandwidth With OM3/OM4

Bandwidth is the first reason why OM3 and OM4 are used for 40/100G migration. OM3 and OM4 are optimized for 850nm transmission and have a minimum 2000 MHz∙km and 4700 MHz∙km effective modal bandwidth (EMB). Comparing the OM1 and OM2 with a maximum 500 MHz∙km, advantages of OM3 and OM4 are obvious. With a connectivity solution using OM3 and OM4 fibers that have been measured using the minimum Effective Modal Bandwidth calculate technique, the optical infrastructure deployed in the data center will meet the performance criteria set forth by IEEE for bandwidth.

Get Longer Transmission Distance With OM3/OM4

The transmission distance of fiber optic cables will influence the data center cabling. The manageability and flexibility will be increased with fiber optic cables with longer transmission distance. OM3 fiber and OM4 fiber can support longer transmission distance compare with other traditional multimode fibers. Generally OM3 fibers can run 40/100 Gigabit at 100 meters and OM4 fibers can run 40/100 Gigabit at 150 meters. This high data rate and longer distance cannot be achieved by other traditional multimode fiber like OM1 and OM2. Employing OM3 fiber and OM4 in 40/100G migration is required.

Get Lower Insertion Loss With OM3/OM4

Insertion loss has always been an import factor that technically should consider during the data center cabling. This is because the total connector loss within a system channel impacts the ability to operate over the maximum supportable distance for a given data rate. As total connector loss increased, the supportable distance at that data rate decreases. According to the 40/100G standard, OM3 fiber is specified to a 100m distance with a maximum channel loss of 1.9dB, which includes a 1.5dB total connector loss budget. And OM4 fiber is specified to a 150m distance with a maximum channel loss of 1.5 dB, including a total connector loss budget of 1.0 dB. With low-loss OM3 and OM4 fiber, maximum flexibility can be achieved with the ability to introduce multiple connector mating into the connectivity link and longer supportable transmission distance can be reached.

OM3 or OM4?

Choosing OM3/OM4 is a wise and required choice for data center 40/100G migration. However, OM3 and OM4, which is better? Numerous factors can affect the choice. However, the applications and the total costs are always the main factors to consider to figure out whether OM3 or OM4 is needed.

First, the connectors and the termination of the connectors for OM3 and OM4 fibers are the same. OM3 is fully compatible with OM4. The difference is just in the construction of fiber cable, which makes OM4 cable has better attenuation and can operate higher bandwidth at a longer distance than OM3. Thus, the cost for OM4 fiber is higher than OM3. As 90 percent of all data centers have their runs under 100 meters, choosing OM3 comes down to a costing issue. However, looking in the future, as the demand increases, the cost will come down. Thus, OM4 might be the most viable product at some point soon.

No matter choosing OM3 or OM4, the migration is underway. With good performance like high data rate, long transmission distance and lower inserting loss, OM3/OM4 fiber is a must in data center migration to 40/100G.

Source: http://www.fs.com/blog/om3-and-om4-in-40-100g-migration.html

OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4: Standardization of Multi-mode Fiber Optic Cables

Standardization in fiber optic industry is one of the most confusing areas for people who involved in the business. “OM” terminology in fiber optic technology is new to both users and fiber optic manufacturers. The letters “OM” stand for optical multi-mode, which is marked multi-mode optical fiber specifications. There are four standards in fiber optic terminology: OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4. This post is going to illustrate what they are.

According to ISO 11801 standard, multi-mode fiber cables are described using a system of classification determined by OM1, OM2, and OM3. OM4 is a laser-optimized, high bandwidth 50µm multi-mode fiber. In August of 2009, TIA/EIA approved and released 492AAAD, which defines the performance criteria for this grade of optical fiber. While they developed the original “OM” designations, IEC has not yet released an approved equivalent standard that will eventually be documented as fiber type A1a.3 in IEC 60793-2-10.

OM1 cable typically comes with an orange jacket and has a core size of 62.5 micrometers (µm). It can support 10 Gigabit Ethernet at lengths up 33 meters. It is most commonly used for 100 Megabit Ethernet applications.

OM2 also has a suggested jacket color of orange. Its core size is 50µm instead of 62.5µm. It supports 10 Gigabit Ethernet at lengths up to 82 meters but is more commonly used for 1 Gigabit Ethernet applications.

OM3 has a suggested jacket color of aqua. Like OM2, its core size is 50µm, but the cable is optimized for laser based equipment that uses fewer modes of light. As a result of this optimization, it is capable of running 10 Gigabit Ethernet at lengths up to 300 meters. Since its inception, production techniques have improved the overall capabilities of OM3 to enable its use with 40 Gigabit and 100 Gigabit Ethernet up to 100 meters. 10 Gigabit Ethernet is its most common use.

OM4 also has a suggested jacket color of aqua. It is a further improvement to OM3. It uses a 50µm core but supports 10 Gigabit Ethernet at lengths up 550 meters and it supports 100 Gigabit Ethernet at lengths up to 150 meters.

OM 1234

Higher bandwidth requirements have accelerated 40 and 100 Gb/s applications. OM4 effectively provides an additional layer of performance that supports these applications at longer distances, thereby limiting the number of installations truly require OS2 single-mode fiber. OM4 can provide a minimum reach of 125m over multi-mode fiber within the 40 and 100 GbE standards.

Standardization of OM used not only for fiber optic cables but also fiber patch cables. Multi-mode 50 125 duplex fiber patch cable LC-LC provides 10 gigabit data transfer speeds in high bandwidth applications via 50/125µm laser-optimized OM4 fiber. They are 5 times faster than standard 50um fiber cable and work with both VCSEL laser and LED sources.

MPO/MTP Assemblies Are Ready to Greet The Future of Data Center

Rapid growth of bandwidth promotes development of data center, which drives the MPO/MTP cables providing cost-effective and efficient way to greet the future of data center. IEEE 802.3ba, the standard for implementing 40/100G Ethernet, dictates that the MPO/MTP footprint will be the standard for multi-mode transmission. This assures the MPO/MTP connector will be the future of optical transmission in the data center for the next few generations to come.

A data center, as defined in TIA/EIA-942, Telecommunications Infrastructure Standard for Data Centers, is a building or portion of a building whose primary function is to house a computer room and its support areas. The main functions of a data center are to centralize and consolidate information technology (IT) resources, house network operations, facilitate e-business and to provide uninterrupted service to mission-critical data processing operations. Yes, it is what we used to call the computer room before it grew to fill buildings. It’s easy to understand but hard to comprehend how much data is being uploaded and downloaded every second on the Internet. The following pictures will show you how big Google data center is.

Google-DS-smdata-center

Due to every data center begins with fiber optic connections to the Internet. Thus, the type of cable connectors becomes the first thing to consider. Which type will be the priority to support such big data transmission? The answer is MPO/MTP connector, because the MPO/MTP connector offers ideal solutions for setting up high-performance data networks in data centers to meet future requirements. The MPO/MTP connector (known as multi-fiber push-on and also as multi-path push-on) can accommodate up to 72 fibers in the tiniest of spaces. MPO/MTP cables can bridge legacy 1Gbps/10Gbps networks over to 40Gbps/100Gbps networks, and can act as the trunk line on a network backbone. There are various types of MPO/MTP cables, such as, trunk cables, harness cables and cassettes. Among these cables, trunk cables are unique and useful due to following features and advantages.

Fiber trunk cables are typically 12-144 fibers and create the permanent fiber links between patch panels in a structured environment. They are pre-terminated from the manufacturer with MPO/MTP Connectors at a specified length and have a pulling grip for easy installation.

Trunk cable has the following advantages:

  • Higher quality—Trunk cable can achieve higher quality with factory termination and testing of each individual product.
  • Minimal skew—The skew can be measured and minimized with factory-terminated trunk cables.
  • Shorter installation time—The pre-terminated MPO/MTP cable system can be incorporated and immediately plugged in with its plug and play design. This design greatly reduces the installation time.
  • Better protection—All termination is done in the factory, so cables and connectors are completely protected from ambient influences. Fiber optic lines lying about in the open in splice trays are exposed at least to the ambient air and may age more rapidly as a result.
  • Smaller volume of cable—Smaller diameters can be achieved in the production of MPO/MTP  cabling from fiber optic loose tube cables.
  • Lower total costs—In splice solutions, splicing including much time and equipment, such as, skilled labor, meters of cable, pigtails, splice trays, splice protection and holders. By comparison, pre-terminated trunk cables not only have technical advantages but also usually involve lower total costs than splice solutions.

MPO/MTP trunk cable is designed for high density application which offers excellent benefits in installation time and space saving. With its features and advantages, MPO/MTP trunk cable is ready to greet the future of data center. Definitely, there will be increasing demand of big data in the next few generations of data center. The ultimate goal of MPO/MTP trunk cable is to keep pace with the rapid development of data center.

Introduction to Armored Fiber Optic Cable

When transmitting data or conducting power in harsh environment, it is crucial to ensure your cables operation is safe and reliable. Armored fiber optic cables provide extra crush-resistance and rodent protection in that environment. Armored fiber optic cables are constructed with a helical stainless steel tape over a buffered fiber surrounded by a layer of aramid and stainless steel mesh with an outer jacket.

Generally, there are two types of armored fiber optic cables: interlocking and corrugated. Interlocking armor is an aluminum armor that is helically wrapped around the cable and found in indoor and indoor/outdoor cables. It offers ruggedness and superior crush resistance. Corrugated armor is a coated steel tape folded around the cable longitudinally. It is found in outdoor cables and offers extra mechanical and rodent protection.  As the following picture shows, from up to down is interlocking armor and corrugated armor.

Armored Cable

Benefits of Armored Fiber Optic Cables
  • Rodent resistance
  • Moisture and chemical protection
  • Water blocking of sheath interfaces
  • Mechanical strength
  • Thermal stability
  • Corrosion protection
  • Lightning protection
  • Ability to be located accurately
  • Ability to be monitored.

Armored fiber optic cables have several benefits, but installation is not that easy. The armored fiber cable construction provides additional crush and rodent protection, and this means the armored cable is conductive, so it must be installed properly. Proper installation is required for the safe and effective dissipation of unwanted electrical current, and it promotes personal and site safety.

How to Install armored fiber optic cables?
  • Bend the cable about 10 inches from its end and squeeze with your hand until the coils of the armor come apart. If you can’t do this by hand, use pliers or employ another cutting method.
  • Firmly grip the cable on each side of the cut and twist until the split-apart armor coil pops out, away from the wires. Use two pairs of pliers if you can’t do this by hand.
  • Using side cutters, cut the exposed coil of sheathing. You may have to grab the coil with the side cutters and work it back and forth to open and make the cut.
  • If you are cutting a piece to length, slide back the sheathing and cut through the wires. Otherwise slide the waste piece off and throw it away.
  • Cut off any sharp points of sheathing using side cutters. Remove the paper wrapping and any thin plastic strips. If the cable is BX it has a thin metal bonding strip. Cut it to about 2 inches.

Armored fiber optic cable is widely used for gyroscope application and anchor cable aboard minesweepers. It is also used for propeller shafts on a wide variety of vessels and exhibits high fatigue strength in seawater. There is also application in chemical process applications for handling of organic acids, caustic and dry chlorine. Besides, it can be used for marine engineering, chemical and hydrocarbon processing equipment, valves, pumps, shafts, fittings, fasteners, and heat exchangers.

Conclusion

Armored cable always for rodent protection both indoor and outdoor. With its various benefits and applications, it can satisfy all your needs. More information about armored fiber optic cable, please visit Fiberstore.

Fiber Optic Cables Tutorial

What are Fiber Optic Cables?
You may hear about fiber optic cables whenever people talk about the telephone communication system, the cable TV system, the Ethernet, the Internet and even the medical imaging and mechanical engineering inspection. Optical fibers are strands of optically pure glass as thin as a human’s hair that carry digital information over long distances. A fiber optic cable is a cable containing one or more optical fibers and the cladding, buffer coating, Kevlar strength members and a protective outer jacket. We used them sending infomation by light pulses signals and satisfy the higher speed we needed in the medias or communications. In addition, there are another fiber optic cables which called sensing fiber optic cables. This type of fiber optic cables are widely used in Petrochemical, Steel, Mine for fire detecting, bulding health detecting, temperature detectingation.

How are Fiber Optic Cables used?
Fiber optic cables as an important component of the signal transformation. They are always plugged into another communication equipment and patch panels to provide a physical connection to a network or device, transfer the signal types. What’s more, the sensing fiber optic cables are even installed to monitor the changes in environment, transportation or energy industries.

Where are Fiber Optic Cables used?
Fiber Optic Cables are throughout every corner of our lives. The direct users of fiber optic cables are the commercial business, governments, the military and many other industries for myriad applications involving the transmission of voice, video and data. As some small homework network, the use of fiber optic cables are more and more common.

Commonly Used Types of Fiber Connectors
In the signals transmission, fiber optic cables are always connect with some quipment using some connectors. we can see the commonly used typed of fiber connectors in the following tables:
applications
Fiber Optic Cables & Sensing Fiber Optic Cables
As the described above, the common use of Fiber Optic Cables is to sengding signals in the communication or media systems, such as FTTH Fiber Optic Cables, Indoor & Outdoor Cables etc. There are a lot of information about communication using fiber optic cables so that I am not wordy to describe so much in this article. In contrast, the sensing fiber optic cables are less information because it is a new technology and application of fiber optics. I am going to describe something about the sensing fiber optic cables in the following.

Sensing Fiber Optic Cable is a sensor based on optical fiber cable which is used because its more sensitive characteristic for some physical effects. Sensing Fiber Optic Cables are widely used in monitoring or measuring some changes of physical factors (like pressure vibrations, temperature changes, the transmission light intensity, phase, polarization, and other changes) in many field, such as oil & gas industry, energy, transportation, enviroment security and even the fire prevention.
applications
Sensing Fiber Optic Cable in Fiberstore
There are 6 kinds of Sensing Fiber Optic Cables on sale in Fiberstore. Our sensing fiber optic cable with excellent mechanical performance makes it use as easy as a wire and adapt to various conditions.

PBT Tube Temperature Sensing Optical Cable

PBT-tube-gel-sensor-cableThe cable is consist of bare fiber, ointment, PBT imitation tubing, Kevlar and outer jacket which has a good performance of optic transmission, an excellent anti-electromagnet ability and resist water very well. It can be used for temperature and stress measurement, which is perfect for high voltage and electromagnetic area because of the nonmetallic structure.

Armored Temperature Detecting Sensor Cable

Armored Temperature Detecting Sensor CableIt is strengthened by both SUS spring tube and SUS braiding and has very good mechanical performance of tensile resistance and pressure resistance. The cable is widely used in fire detecting, building health detecting, temperature detecting, etc.

Silica Gel Sensing Fiber Optical Cable

Silica Gel Sensing Fiber Optical CableThe structure of cable is very simple, but the special Silicon jacket and Teflon tube ensure a very good performance of high temperature resistant and high voltage resistant so that it is very suitable for high temperature resistant and high voltage environment, it could work normally even in the 250 ℃ high temperature environment or 6kv high voltage environment.

Teflon Sheathed sensor cable

Teflon Sheathed sensor cableThe Teflon cable is very suitable for high temperature resistant environment, it could work normally even in the 150 ℃ environment. And it could be used for fiber temperature sensing system.

Seamless Tube Temperature Sensing Optical Cable

Seamless Tube Temperature Sensing Optical CableThe cable is make up of bare fiber, ointment, stainless steel seamless tube and sheath. Seamless tube can provide high tensile resistance and crush resistance. It is usually used in oil field, mine and chemical industry, for temperature and pressure inspection to avoid any accident.

Copper Braid Armored Sensor Cable

Copper Braid Armored Sensor CableCopper braid armored sensor cable could be used in outdoor optical fiber communication and optical fiber sensor. In power environment, the special cable structure could reduce the impact of electromagnetic wave and electromagnetic field, and make less optical signal loss.

Fiberstore is specialized in offering more Fiber Optic Cables Solutions, know more, click here!