In this post we explore all things fibre optics from what fibre optic cables are and their history through to the different types of fibres and connectors.
'What is fibre optic?' and 'do I need fibre optics? We hear you say…
Well the structured cabling industry is currently enjoying exponential growth in the use of fibre optic, which has been nothing short of remarkable. The market is exploding, at just over £3 billion in 2019, it’s forecast to smash through the £5 billion threshold by 2023. Fibre optic cabling is no longer being considered as a ‘nice to have’ but for many businesses, it’s now a must!
The Covid-19 pandemic has shaped this new normal, and working environments have had to adapt. As the world was forced to become more digitally literate, structured cabling networks have never worked harder, uncovering weaknesses for many businesses in their outdated cabling infrastructure.
Connectivity, data distribution and communication now mean growth for most businesses and security; speed and volume can be the difference between productivity or loss.
Are you at a point where you know your business needs an upgrade in your structured cabling requirements? Fibre optics may be the solution for you.
The first actual fibre optic cable was invented in 1952 by UK based physicist Narinder Singh Kapany, with the first working fibre optic data transmission system being introduced in 1965. This was then followed by the first patent application coming in the following year. As a result of its early successes it was used as early as 1968 by NASA in the television cameras that were sent up to the moon.
In more recent times, the use and distribution of fibre optic has cascaded globally starting with the popularisation of the internet in the 1990’s leading us to the present day where fibre optics have become the backbone of the modern communication infrastructure and structured cabling.
Fibre optic cabling is a long-distance network telecommunications system containing optical fibres inside the cable's plastic casing. The main difference between fibre optic cabling and copper cabling is that it carries pulses of light along flexible glass threads opposed to copper cables which carry electrical pulses along metal strands. By harnessing the speed of light, fibre optic is typically capable of producing much higher bandwidths and stronger performance rates for structured cabling solutions.
In this blog post we'll discuss and break down the two main types of glass fibre optics, photonic fibres and their capabilities, as well as briefly discussing the main types of fibre optic cable connectors and their uses, before finally looking at the differences and uses of both polish and epoxy connectors and no polish and no epoxy connectors.
Here's what we'll cover:
Let's start with glass fibre optic…
Single mode
In fibre optic communications, a single mode fibre is single glass fibre strands used to transmit a single mode or ray of light and features only one transmission mode. The small light carrying core measures approximately 9 micrometres, with its total size measuring 125 micrometres (that's 0.009 and 0.125 millimetres) in diameter once surrounded by cladding. This is generally more expensive than multimode.
Single mode fibre optic is capable of up to 100 gigabits over a 10km distance, with it being able to transmit 10 gigabits over a maximum distance of 40km. Because of this it's often used and preferred for long distance transmissions in large business centres, telephone company offices and universities.
Multimode
In fibre optic communications, multimode optical fibre is a type of optical fibre mostly used for communication over short distances. Multimode has a fibre with a core of 50 micrometres and above (0.05mm +), this larger core means multiple modes known as rays of light can travel down the core simultaneously. Similarly to single mode it's surrounded by cladding which takes the overall diameter to 125 micrometres (0.125mm). This is generally less expensive than single mode.
Multimode fibres are constructed in four different grades: OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4. Each of these grades offer different bandwidth and distance restrictions. For example OM4 provides the largest bandwidth over the furthest distance and OM1 provides the lowest. Only OM3 and OM4 can transmit both 40 and 100 gigabits with OM4 being able to travel up to 500 ft compared to OM3 reaching 330 ft. This means multimode is recommended for businesses who operate over a shorter distance such as within a building/office space or campus.
Now we apologise in advance to the non-physicists out there because this one can get a little complicated…
Photonic-crystal fibres (PCF) also known as Holey fibre are a class of optical fibre based on the properties of photonic crystals; these crystals are nanostructures that affects the motion of photons. PCF’s uses total internal reflection or light confinement to propagate and transmit light.
PCF’s light is trapped in the core, this provides a higher wave guide for photons than standard fibre optics, also by using polymers instead of glass these fibres are more flexible which creates an easier and less expensive installation. PCF’S are divided into two main categories, these are Index-Guiding Fibres and Photonic Bandgap Fibres:
Index-Guiding Fibres
These fibres have a solid core like conventional fibres. Light is stored in this core by exploiting the modified total internal reflection mechanism.
Photonic Bandgap Fibres
These fibres have periodic micro structured elements and a hollow core made of a low-index material. This core region has a lower refractive index than the surrounding photonic crystal cladding. What makes this type different is that it exploits the presence of the photonic bandgap instead of being guided by total internal reflection.
An optical fibre connector is a device that connects fibre cables to fibre equipment or two fibre connections. There are a range of different connectors, with the most popular and used ones being LC, SC, and ST; these stand for Lucent connector, Subscriber connector and Straight Tip connector.
Lucent Connector (LC)
This connector is half the size of an SC or ST connector at 1.25mm. LC connectors are ideal for high density installations due to their small footprint. Small form factorable pluggable (SFP) modules and fibre optic extenders also often require LC connectors due to their smaller size and clip design.
Subscriber/Standard Connector (SC)
In comparison to the 1.25 mm of the LC, the SC uses a 2.5 mm snap-in connector that latches with a simple push-pull motion. Although Lucent connectors are more common with fibre optic extenders, SC are still used with some styles. SC connectors are typically used in data communication, cable television (CATV) and telephony environments.
Straight Tip connector (ST)
An ST connector is an AT&T™- designed connector the same size as the SC connector. The connector uses a bayonet mount and long cylindrical ferrule to hold the fibre. Some of these can be either metal or plastic but are most often ceramic. ST connectors are among the most used fibre optic connectors in networking applications for both short distance and long line systems.
Using polishing in fibre optic allows for any excess epoxy or fibre stub to be removed, this enables a finish that can pass optical signals with minimum loss; therefore, critically influences the optical performance.
Epoxy is a highly durable and resistant two-part adhesive that's formed when mixing epoxy resin and hardener. Epoxy use in fibre optics is intended for better sealing; the polished epoxy provides a liquid and airtight seal. For applications in fibre optics, an optically clear epoxy is most often used, designed specifically for high performance fibre optic bonding and coating.
Premixed heat-cured epoxies are also popular within fibre optic, although the work life becomes short once the adhesive is removed from cold storage. Overall, this method offers a low cost option in comparison to no epoxy, no polish connectors (NENP) albeit with a moderate performance rate and being more difficult to use.
No polish and no epoxy connectors arrive with a factory pre-polished end face and the fibre is mechanically spliced to a factory cleaved fibre stub. This type of connector is easier to install and higher performing. In comparison to epoxy and polished connectors NENP connectors have a higher ease of use and a higher performance level, this however places the cost at a higher price point for a more premium experience.
If your business is looking at implementing a new structured fibre optic cabling project, then you’ve found the right website. Here at Comlek we specialise in every stage of a turnkey infrastructure process. Meaning we can see through an entire project from start to finish or pick up the responsibility of single or multiple stages specifically.
One of the main benefits of deploying a complete turnkey project is that we take on the full responsibility of your project, organise the best technicians and management for the job, remove the headaches for your business and allow you to continue to focus on what you do best, delivering your daily operations.
We approach projects directly and have a ‘simple 6 step solution’ to bring a full turnkey project to life: starting with the design all the way to the aftercare and maintenance provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week after your project is completed.
Built upon over 20 years of experience, Comlek are fast becoming one of the nation’s leading contractors for structured cabling solutions and especially fibre optics. We're proud to go ‘above and beyond’, make the impossible possible and go the extra mile for every client. As a business we're determined to deliver first class services and project delivery throughout the UK, 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. So, no matter how big the challenge; Comlek will get the job done on time, on budget and keep you connected.
Discover everything you need to know about Category 5 copper cabling or 'Cat 5' from a brief history, to its technical specifications and...
Explore everything you need to know about copper wiring in structured cabling, how each category works and what infrastructure each is best suited...