Bendable Fiber Twists and Turns into Tight Spots

Tag : Fiber Optical Cable

July 15, 2008 Bendable Fiber Twists and Turns into Tight Spots By Monta Monaco Hernon
Optical fiber cable experiences signal loss when bent around tightcorners. This is particularly problematic in some markets, likemultiple dwelling units (MDUs), where a typical installation couldrequire 12 90-degree bends.

Corning's new ClearCurve solution uses what the company calls ananoStructures fiber design to prevent signal loss even at a90-degree angle. Nanometer-scale pockets surround the fiber. Theirjob is to direct light back into the core. The end result is afiber that can be deployed similarly to coax without microduct.

Likewise, OFS facilitates installation as cables based on itsEZ-Bend technology can be stapled and installed using standardtools. Around corners, EZ-Bend technology results in negligiblesignal loss (0.1 dB maximum at 550 nm) for one turn at 5 mm radius.A conventional fiber-optic cable could lose most of the signal.

"This technology completes the optical path for RFOG (RF overGlass) applications and provides a full optical spectrumdistribution network, from the headend/central office to thesubscriber," said Fernando Constantino, OFS marketingcommunications manager.

"Visitors (to Corning's booth at Cable-Tec Expo) from MSOswere very interested because they realize optical cables featuringthis technology can be deployed with the same simple practices usedfor copper or coaxial cables. There is no increase in installationor deployment time and cost," Constantino said.