INTELLIGENT CABLING

Kevin Lengle , Product Line Manager with the Cailabs company , looks at how multimode fibre local networks can be upgraded to meet the growing demand for bandwidth . He brings his expertise in optics and telecommunications to the development of innovative optical solutions to fully exploit the potential of multimode optical fibres .

The implementation of new services in campus networks is exploding total demand for data . However , most of the inter-building cabling infrastructures of these networks are composed of 62.5 / 125 µ m or 50 / 125 µ m multimode fibre ( OM1 to OM5 fibre ). Multimode fibre has limited bandwidth ( due to modal dispersion ) and cannot support throughputs of 10 Gb / s or more , currently required by campuses-wide links . This especially applies to first generation OM1 and OM2 multimode fibres , on which a 10 Gb / s throughput can only travel up to 33m and 80m respectively . So , is it possible to magically transform legacy multimode fibres into single-mode fibres to meet the growing demand for bandwidth in local networks ? You may be surprised to know that the answer is yes !

The conventional solution has been to replace the old cabling with next generation fibre . However , redeploying fibre cable is often a difficult task that has significant impact on business activities . In some cases , micro-trenches or more invasive work in general , may be required to install the new cables throughout the campus . Replacing cables can therefore require tedious installation work with complex project management and exorbitant costs . Fortunately , optical technologies have evolved and there is now an alternative to complex fibre network deployments .

The recent introduction of a range of innovative off-the-shelf solutions means that the speed and distance limitations of multimode fibre can be overcome and throughputs of up to 100 Gb / s can be carried over existing multimode infrastructure for up to several kilometres . This 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 multimode fibre , thus helping to preserve existing network infrastructure . These innovative solutions are passive ( i . e . no power consumption , configuration or monitoring required ) and operate at the physical layer level , which makes them transparent to the wavelength , communication protocol and modulation format used . This provides an opportunity to implement wavelength division multiplexing ( WDM ) technologies on MMF where necessary , to perform single-mode / multimode media conversion functions passively , or to deploy GPON within a Passive Optical LAN architecture on MMF .

This new disruptive approach has already proven its effectiveness across numerous industrial , military , university and hospital campuses around the world . As a valid alternative to complex recabling , these technological innovations make it possible to solve the campus network bandwidth problem in a practical , economical and environmentally friendly way , with proven benefits for end customers and ICT professionals alike . •

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