FEATURE : DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGY
MULTI-MODE FIBRE INHERENTLY HAS LIMITED BANDWIDTH AND CANNOT SUPPORT THROUGHPUTS OF 10 GB / S OR MORE CURRENTLY REQUIRED BY CAMPUS-WIDE LINKS .
solutions to address this issue . This article will not provide a detailed physics course on modal shaping , rather the aim here is to focus on the value proposition and opportunities for IT managers .
The recent introduction of simple off-the-shelf devices means that the speed and distance limitations of multi-mode fibre can be overcome and throughputs of up to 100 Gb / s can now be carried over existing legacy multi-mode infrastructure for up to several kilometres .
Regardless of the business sector , network managers need to upgrade their existing networks to meet future needs and are constantly looking for ways to improve the efficiency of their infrastructure while optimising capital and operating expenditure .
This disruptive technology approach is of great benefit for campuses as it now enables the gradual and flexible evolution of the local network ’ s optical infrastructure . These solutions are interoperable and compatible with any type of multi-mode fibre ( OM1 to OM5 , i . e . 62.5 / 125 µ m or 50 / 125 µ m ), thus helping to preserve existing network infrastructure .
These innovative solutions are passive ( i . e . no power consumption , configuration , or monitoring required ) and transparent to the communication protocol and modulation format used .
Technically , this provides an opportunity for network managers to implement single-mode wavelength division multi-plexing ( WDM ) technologies on MMF where necessary , to perform single-mode / multi-mode media conversion functions passively , or to deploy GPON within a Passive Optical LAN architecture on MMF . These applications would not have been possible before the development of
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