In today’s advanced fiber optic networks, multi-fiber cabling is utilized both inside data centers and across vast field networks as it provides the most efficient approach for deploying large counts of fibers using as little physical space as possible.  At the most basic level, a multi-fiber cable is typically comprised of a ribbon cable surrounded by a protective outer jacketing.  These ribbon and/or multi-fiber cables are available with number options when it comes to fiber counts (ex: 8, 12, 24, etc)

We’ve recently written about the importance of simulating submarine fiber networks in a lab environment for testing and training purposes, while highlighting the history and shifting investment dynamic in this arena.  A visit to Submarine Cable Map offers an interactive view of the breadth of fiber cabling crisscrossing the oceans of the world, demonstrating its critical importance to global communications.

When utilizing optical fibers for high-speed communications applications, there two primary categories that fibers are grouped into, based on their construction and intended applications. In this article, we will review both Single Mode and Multimode optical fiber classifications, providing a quick introduction to both types and their key differences.

With the explosive growth of global bandwidth demands, data centers and service providers have been busy adding new fiber infrastructure, interconnects, and upgrading their systems and hardware to newer and faster technology. As part of this, both latency and optical signal synchronization are critical factors that engineering teams must manage in order to maximize performance and support their customers across various industries.  

Radio Frequency over Fiber (RFoF) is a critical component in industries such as aerospace, radar, broadcasting, satellite and GPS communications, along with weight-sensitive environments such as the space or undersea industries. With RF over fiber, radio communication is consistent and reliable. 

Undersea cabling has connected continents for more than 100 years.  With exponential growth in bandwidth demands, private companies have begun large investments in underwater fiber optic cable to serve their customers’ needs. Because of the unique deployment and additional risks associated with underwater cabling, training and testing with the help of M2 Optics is critical. 

5G, with its promise of lightning-fast speed and response time, is everywhere.  Turn on the TV, listen to the radio, visit your favorite website, drive past a billboard and you’ll likely see or hear some advertisement, banner ad, or commercial about a wireless network’s new 5G infrastructure or phone.  This is the next evolution in mobile technology and is generally considered a leap forward and the doorway to a technology revolution.

The Importance of Reliable Fiber Networks

According to a recent study from the Fiber Broadband Association and RVA, LLC, broadband use during the pandemic became critical as individuals weathered the uncertainty from their homes. One area where broadband saw a significant increase was the use of video conferencing, a technology that requires high levels of reliable bandwidth, as well as online gaming and video streaming.  A Lightwave article notes that in the first quarter of 2020 bandwidth use increased by 47%, with, “the average broadband subscriber consuming a weighted monthly average of 402.5 GB of data.”

Simulating real-world fiber optic links and time delays in the lab environment is both a frequent and necessary task for engineers performing R&D and equipment certification testing processes.  With the evolution to more advanced network architecture, increasing speeds of 400G and beyond, and latency always being a key element, replicating the field network as closely as possible in the lab is critical to ensure systems will perform as expected post-deployment.