You are here: Home Page » Infrastructure » Integrating fiber optics

Integrating fiber optics

Dec 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Phil Cianci

It may be time to abandon coax.

Figure 1. The improvement of fi ber-optic wavelength “windows” and transmitter technology since the early 1980s has led to the reduction of optical loss.
Select figure to enlarge.

Use of fiber-optic technology in broadcast infrastructures is increasing at an overwhelming rate. Equipment manufacturers are including fiber interfaces for SDI and network connections in new equipment; routing systems are using optical switching matrices in their latest 3Gb/s generation of products; and SMPTE 311, hybrid fiber-optic cables are replacing triax for cameras.

Until recently, fiber-optic technology has been significantly more expensive than a copper equivalent, placing it out of the financial reach of many new systems. But widespread deployment by the telco industry has brought the price down.

Today, two- and six-strand fiber cable prices are on par with the broadcast industry workhorse 1694A coaxial cable. It is time to evaluate fiber technology as a cost-effective alternative to coax.

Signals, fibers and cables

Fiber-optic systems consist of a light transmitter, LASER or LED; an optical medium, glass or composite; and a photodetector receiver.

Figure 2. CWDM spaces channels 20nm apart.
Select figure to enlarge.

A variety of light-emitting technologies are used in transmitters: Fabry-Perot lasers or distributed feedback (DFB) lasers are used in long-haul and high data-rate applications; vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) are suitable for shorter-range applications such as GigE and Fibre Channel; and light emitting diodes (LEDs) are used for short to moderate transmission distances. LEDs are the least expensive transmitters but have limited data capacity.

Figure 1 shows the improvement over the last few decades of fiber-optic wavelength windows. Appropriate transmitter technology is also indicated for each window.

Two types of photodetectors, avalanche photodiode (APD) and positive-intrinsic-negative (PIN), convert photons of light to electrons. Because of the small number of photons received, amplification is necessary to recover data and produce a usable signal. APD amplification is internal, while the amplification is external for PIN detectors.

Fiber-optic systems use a variety of signal multiplexing techniques. Time-division multiplexing (TDM) assigns data packets to time slots and is used in long-haul infrastructures, while wave-division multiplexing (WDM) enables multiple wavelengths of light to share a single fiber. In first-generation deployments, WDM technology supported just two wavelengths, also referred to as “lambdas,” usually 1310nm and 1550nm.

As fiber-optic technologies improved, it became possible to transmit more than two lambdas simultaneously over a single fiber strand. This resulted in the development of coarse wave-division multiplexing (CWDM) and dense wave-division multiplexing (DWDM). CWDM spaces channels 20nm apart, while DWDM uses narrow channel spacing, frequently 0.8nm or 1.6nm. Figures 2 and 3 illustrate implementations of each technique as specified in ITU-T standards.

Figure 3. DWDM uses narrow channel spacing, frequently 0.8nm or 1.6nm, as shown here.
Select figure to enlarge.

Single-mode fiber (SMF) carries a single wavelength of light and is suited for long runs, such as between buildings, venues and broadcast sites (STL, TSL, intra- and intercity links), and as risers in facilities. SMF cables are yellow, and the fiber cores are 8.5µ in diameter. Something of an oxymoron, SMF is best suited for DWDM implementations. This is because DWDMs pack multiple lambdas so tightly that the bundle can be transmitted as a “virtual single” wavelength.

Multimode fiber (MMF) can carry multiple wavelengths on a single strand. They are used in short runs generally inside a building and are orange. The thicker core, 50µ or 62.5µ, supports the wide bandwidth of CWDM.

Single-mode fiber technology is more expensive to implement than multimode. Lasers must be precisely tuned and cannot use the less expensive LED transmitters found in CWDM links.

Making a connection

Optical fibers require precise connectors. Two techniques currently are in widespread use: angled physical contact (APC) and ultra physical contact (UPC).

APC connects 8-degree cut fibers and is appropriate for high data-rate SMF links. UPC fibers have a rounded finish that allows fibers to touch on a high point near the MMF fiber core where light travels.

When cables are mated to connectors at the factory, signal loss is less than 0.2dB, the cables are ready to install, they are guaranteed, and they can be returned if defective. In comparison, do-it-yourself connector field terminations typically suffer a 0.5dB to 0.75dB signal loss, take time to install and will have to be repaired if faulty.

Installation and testing: Handle with care

Installing and testing optical networks requires adherence to a long list of recommended practices.

Cables:

Observe minimum bend radius, 20X the cable diameter under tension during pulling and 10X when not. Also observe cable pulling tension, 100lbs to 200lbs for indoor cable and upward of 600lbs for outdoor.
Loosely fasten cable ties to avoid microbends that can degrade performance. (See Figure 4.)
Use properly color-coded cables; place labels in easy-to-read locations.
Stack cables no deeper than 2in in “fiber-only” cable guides.
Safety is no accident

Proper dressing in racks and risers will help prevent accidental damage. Plan for slack and patch cable storage.
Single-mode cables should be tested after installation but before splicing or termination, and again after to confirm the cable was not damaged during installation.