A Guide To Understanding Fiber-to-the-Home

Posted by Kevin Miller on Wed, Feb 15, 2023 @ 13:02 PM

Fiber-to-the-home (FTTH), also known as fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP), is when optical fiber is installed and connected directly to a single structure, such as a home, apartment, or business. This approach for delivering high-speed internet services and greater bandwidth continues to excel globally as it offers superior performance compared to non-fiber coaxial cable and DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) connections. 

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Topics: WDM, fiber optic testing, optical fiber, otdr, PON, optical switching, fiber optic training, fiber lab, network simulation, optical taps, fiber monitoring, optical time delays, Optical fiber market, fiber optic cable, fiber optic networks

Solve Latency Challenges Using Efficient Optical Time Delay Solutions

Posted by Kevin Miller on Thu, Dec 8, 2022 @ 10:12 AM

Latency is a critical performance factor in communications networks as it is the time it takes for data to travel from one point to another.  As one might expect, service providers commit a great deal of time and effort attempting to reduce latency across the entire network, to deliver data and content faster to consumers and businesses. While important in general, some applications like financial trading, streaming video, and defense/military communications prioritize latency reduction with the goal of achieving as close to real-time communications as possible.

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Topics: optical fiber, latency, optical time delays

Key Considerations When Calculating Optical Fiber Latency

Posted by Kevin Miller on Tue, Nov 29, 2022 @ 10:11 AM

Optical fiber serves as the primary medium for transmitting data in today's high-speed communications networks and latency, one of the most critical performance measurements, is the time it takes for a light signal to travel from one point to another. While there are numerous factors that contribute to this value like installed devices when looking at overall network latency, the time delay incurred during light transmission across the fiber itself, also known as fiber latency, is a significant component in the equation.

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Topics: optical fiber, optical time delays, calculate latency

Calculating Dynamic Range

Posted by Kevin Miller on Wed, Oct 19, 2022 @ 10:10 AM

What is the Dynamic Range of an OTDR?

When certifying or troubleshooting optical fibers in a network using an OTDR, the Dynamic Range is a key parameter of the device that determines the maximum length of the fiber that is observed during a test trace. In more technical terms, it is the distance between the point of the initial backscatter and the noise floor at the end of the fiber under test. The dynamic range value is measured and expressed in decibels (dB) and is essentially an analysis of power levels. OTDRs offering a larger dynamic range value can test longer lengths of fiber compared to those offering a smaller dynamic range value. Therefore, equating a dynamic range value with a fiber distance value is important when evaluating or specifying an OTDR for testing fibers in a network.

Calculating Dynamic Range

At the most basic level, the calculation relationship for equating a dynamic range value to a fiber distance includes three components:

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Topics: optical fiber, otdr, optical time delays

Deploying Optical Time Delays with RFoF

Posted by Kevin Miller on Thu, Dec 10, 2020 @ 10:12 AM

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. 

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Topics: RFoF, optical time delays

Build a Competitive Advantage with Fiber Link and Delay Simulators

Posted by Charlie Byrd on Thu, Apr 9, 2020 @ 08:04 AM

For many years, communications network equipment manufacturers performed most of the lab testing efforts when designing and certifying their gear for use in the field by their customers.  Now that fiber optic systems are the norm around the world for driving communications, many of the equipment users themselves are testing potential devices before deployment to determine the best solution for their own unique needs.  Financial service providers, utilities, local governments, and smaller regional internet providers have recognized that having even a small and efficient lab setup where they can simulate their network and train technicians can go a long way in optimizing their operations.

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Topics: fiber optic training, network simulation, optical time delays

Packaging Optical Fiber Spools to Optimize Space in the Test Lab

Posted by Kevin Miller on Tue, Feb 4, 2020 @ 08:02 AM

This year’s OFC conference in San Diego will be another showcase of innovative new and future technologies.  With fiber optic communication and networking equipment continuing to evolve, testing procedures and setups must also grow and change as part of the process.  Engineers are then often faced with a challenge - how can they continue to add and integrate new systems and the appropriate connectivity infrastructure in a finite amount of lab space?  While some may benefit from new facility expansions, the luxury of additional square footage and rack space isn't often the case for most.

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Topics: fiber optic testing, optical fiber, optical time delays

Fiber Optic Network and Latency Simulator Saves Significant Rack Space

Posted by John Kornegay on Fri, Apr 12, 2019 @ 10:04 AM

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.

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Topics: latency, optical time delays

High-Density Optical Time Delay Platform for Fiber Optic Networks

Posted by John Kornegay on Fri, Mar 29, 2019 @ 17:03 PM

The customizable Fiber Lab 250HD from M2 Optics provides a versatile solution for communications service providers, test labs, and research institutions.

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Topics: optical time delays

Types of Optical Delay Lines: Passive and Active

Posted by Kevin Miller on Tue, Mar 5, 2019 @ 14:03 PM

 

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Topics: RFoF, optical time delays