The IEEE 802.3ba Task Force is well underway in developing the next higher speed transmission rates for Ethernet network communications: 40 and 100 Gb/s. In order to achieve 40 and 100 Gb/s transmission capability on OM3 multimode fiber, which takes advantage of existing, low-cost transceivers, IEEE 802.3ba will very likely define a solution involving already-proven parallel optics technology. For parallel transmission, there is a parameter called “delay skew” that must be controlled and compensated for to prevent transmission errors. Well-known in copper twisted pair applications, delay skew is the difference in signal arrival time from one lane – or in this case, fiber – to the next. The task force will ensure that the standards address de-skewing at the active component level. Together with a good cable manufacturing process, this will allow for use of common cable constructions such as loose tube, tight buffer, and ribbon.
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OFS offers radiation-hardened multimode fiber with lower radiation-induced signal loss and faster recovery rates compared to conventional fibers. The fiber is designed for use in applications such as aerospace, shipboard, field tactical deployment, and other areas where exposure to radiation would cause optical signal loss in conventional products. The OFS fiber has been certified to the military specification MIL-PRF-49291 and is now listed on the Defense Supply Center Columbus (DSCC) Qualified Product List QPL-49291.
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With the development of Zero Water Peak fiber in 1998, the 1360 – 1460 nm region (called the E-Band) in single-mode fiber that was previously unavailable for long distance transmission was opened up. This enabled many new paths for system upgrades. Later, another class of fibers called Low Water Peak (LWP) fibers was developed. LWP fibers simply lower the loss in this region (unlike Zero Water Peak fibers, which eliminates loss due to moisture at the water peak). While both types meet the International Telecommunications Union (ITU-T) G.652D specification, the differences in network support between the two can be significant.
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In designing and manufacturing NZD fibers, a balance must be reached between a low chromatic dispersion slope and a large effective area. At first glance, a large effective area seems attractive for dealing with non-linearity problems; however a closer look reveals that this benefit is offset by the steeper slope that results in dispersion that is too low around 1530 nm. The two most significant non-linearities are caused by too low dispersion, and the larger effective area cannot make up for their negative effects. OFS’ design philosophy, both in the original TrueWave® RS Fiber and the newest TrueWave REACH Fiber, is focused on dispersion slope. In fact, RAMAN efficiency actually decreases with a larger effective area. TrueWave REACH Fibers have been especially optimized to take advantage of emerging RAMAN amplification technology.
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... Andrew Oliviero has been named senior manager for optical fiber product management at OFS. Previously, he was product manager for multimode fiber. He has also held the position of technical manager of the Fiber Measurement Engineering department at OFS’ Sturbridge, Mass. facility

... John Kamino has been named product manager for multimode fiber at OFS. A 27-year veteran of the company, he has held positions in product management, offer management, product marketing, sales, and engineering

... Dave Mazzarese, OFS’ technical marketing manager, recently spoke on OM4 fiber for the data center in a webcast sponsored by Pennwell Publishing; the presentation can be viewed here

... OFS will present technical papers on OM3 multimode fibers and bend-optimized single-mode fibers at the IWCS Conference in Providence, RI this month – more information available here.