The versatile Fiber Lab 750 from M2 Optics offers multiple lengths of optical fiber in just 3RU, saving 50% or more rack space for engineers.

Topics: latency, optical time delays

The world’s financial communication networks are a paradigm of the modern world, and they operate at very high speeds through necessity, often using fiber optic technology. So fine are the lines between success and failure in today’s trading environment that just tiny fractions of seconds do matter. When financial institutions trade via these networks, shaving microseconds off network latency can result in a significant competitive advantage and millions of dollars annually. To reduce latency, one must understand the factors that can cause latency.

Topics: latency

When talking about computers, latency is a word used to describe how long after you input a command that the results of that command are displayed on the screen. In technical terms, it’s the measured delay involved getting a datagram or packet from one hardware location to another and so obviously, the lower the latency, the better performing the device or network is.

Topics: latency

When the time comes to buy spools of optical fiber for testing and demonstrating communications systems, there are a few items to consider that will help ensure you end up with an ideal setup.  Since it has been proven that following a few best practices will help you get the most out of your fiber, thinking about these four important items in advance will allow you to further qualify your needs as well as speed up the purchasing process.

Topics: optical fiber, network simulation, latency, optical time delays

Often not considered, it is important to remember that looks really do matter!

Topics: optical fiber, network simulation, latency

There are many scenarios in today’s networks that require the replication of an optical signal, also known as optical multicast. Some of those scenarios include video feeds or data streams that need to reach multiple endpoints simultaneously. In other scenarios an expensive 40/100Gbps port may need to be replicated. In either case, current multicasting solutions create potential problems associated with congestion, cost, and latency.

Topics: optical switching, latency

Latency is a term that is used to describe a time delay in a transmission medium such as a vacuum, air, or a fiber optic waveguide.  In free space, light travels at 299,792,458 meters per second.  This equates to 299.792 meters per microsecond (µs) or 3.34µs per kilometer.  In fiber optics, the latency of the fiber is the time it takes for light to travel a specified distance through the glass core of the fiber.  Light moving through the fiber optic core will travel slower than light through a vacuum because of the differences of the refractive index of light in free space and in the glass.

Topics: latency

The term latency refers to the time delay in a particular system. For communications systems, latency is an important factor, because transmission delays can affect the quality and reliability of the system. In the case of fiber optic networks, latency is the time delay that affects light as it travels through the fiber optic network.

Topics: latency