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The standards for ATM were first developed in the mid 1980s. The goal was to design a single networking strategy that could transport real-time video and audio as well as image files, text and email.
ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) has been proposed as an enabling network technology to support broadband integrated services. It was designed to […]

There is no question that fiber optic communication is our future. Fiber optic communication industry has been enjoying amazing growth for over 15 years. These are driven by both technology advance and market demand. There are some obvious trends in the development of new technology and market. Let’s examine some of the most important ones […]

How Does an OTDR Work?
In fiber optic networks, OTDR (Optical Time Domain Reflectometer) is an opto-electronic instrument used to characterize an optical fiber. OTDR is both the best known and least understood fiber optic instrument.
OTDR does not measure loss, but instead implies it by looking at the backscatter signature of the fiber. It does not […]

What is optical fiber fusion splicing?
Optical fiber fusion splicing is a welded joint formed between two optical fibers. Fusion splicing is a permanent, low-loss, high-strength joint compared with other temporary joint such as a mechanical splice. Optical fiber fusion splices play a crucial role in the optical network.
The Ideal Fusion Splicing Process
The goal of fiber […]

Fiber optic cables are exposed to electrical, mechanical, chemical and environmental elements, so proper installation is critical for the long-term stability and survival of fiber cables.
Cable installation must also meet the NEC(National Electric Code) and local building codes. NEC indicates that fiber optic cables can be placed in the same raceway, cable tray or enclosure […]

Understanding The Basic Terms
1. Dead end pole: Dead end pole is a utility pole on which self-supporting figure 8 aerial cable or a steel messenger is tensioned and terminated into a dead-end fixture.
2. Messenger span: Messenger span refers to the length of continuous steel messenger tensioned between two dead-end poles.
3. Intermediate poles: Intermediate poles are […]

The use of fiber optic systems is expanding at a amazing rate. Only in the past 10 years, fiber optic communications systems have replaced almost all coaxial and twisted pair cables especially in network backbones. This is especially true in any long distance communication links.
Why? This can be explained simply. Fiber optic cables are easier […]

:: What is structured cabling?
Modern computer LAN (local area network) wiring has the concept of structured cabling.
With today’s high speed networks, people realize that the networking system must be broken up into shorter chunks that allow workstation wiring to be concentrated, with each cable length short enough to support the high data rate.
Based on aforementioned […]

:: Choices of connectors
Over the years, a large variety of fiber optic connectors have been designed for most fiber optic installations. Lightwave equipment manufacturers have never standardized on any one connector type, they actually provide a selection of connectors for their equipment interface.
It is very important to choose the fiber connector type for your applications. […]

:: The Definition of Backbone Cabling
Backbone cabling may be within one building or between buildings on a campus. All wiring between telecommunication rooms is called as backbone cabling.
In many cases, backbone cabling is actually between wiring closets on the same floor of a building, but the more typical case is the floor to floor wiring […]

The two most common outdoor fiber optic cable installations are pole line aerial installation and underground cable installation. Underground cable installation can be buried directly underground or placed into a buried duct.
Direct burial installation:
Direct burial installations are most common for long cross-country installations. The cables are plowed in or buried in a trench; the installation […]

:: Duct/Innerduct materials and colors:
Fiber ducts are usually made from HDPE (high-density polyethylene), PVC or other compound. They are usually in black or gray. Fiber innerduct is usually orange or yellow.
:: Why usually fiber ducts and innerducts are corrugated?
Fiber ducts and innerducts are corrugated to provide the following benefits:
1. Decreasing pulling tensions during installation
2. Very […]

:: 1. What is the difference between copper cable and fiber optic cable?
Even though fiber optic cables may look like traditional copper cables, we should always keep in mind that inside fiber cables are fragile glass fibers which can be broken easily if not properly handled.
:: 2. What are the most important things to obey […]

Just like copper cables, NEC (National Electrical Code) requires indoor fiber optic cables be marked with their fire and smoking ratings. NEC requires all indoor fiber cables be marked correctly and installed properly for its intended use.
According to NEC, a building’s inside area is divided into three types of sections: plenums, risers and general purpose […]

:: The need for fiber optic couplers
We use electronic couplers all the time: such as a telephone coupler which lets you connect both a telephone and a fax machine to the same telephone line. Or a CATV coupler which lets you connect several TV sets to a single cable from Comcast. Basically you can buy […]