We discuss the following topics in this blog:
- Cutting-edge fibre cabling for 5G and FTTH
- Airblown Micro cable, Micro cable – 4mm, Micro Bullet Series Cable and the Riser Cable.
- The Future of Cables Showcased at ANGA COM 2018
In addition to these topics, we shall also be answering the following FAQs:
- What is WiFi?
- What is an Optical Fibre Cable?
How Significant is Cutting-edge Fibre Cabling for 5G and FTTH?
Contents
Richard Eichhorn, VP – International Sales, Telecom Products Business at Sterlite Technologies With expectations running high for 5G and the impact it will have on all aspects of our lives, all eyes are on the technology as the industry races to deploy it on a wide-scale. But while the hunger for 5G is growing exponentially, questions around how its speed and capacity will be delivered remain. At Sterlite Tech, we believe the answer is fibre – which is why we have developed a bouquet of all new 5G-enabling fronthaul and Fibre-to-the-Home network technologies. High-density fibre.
How is STL Pushing the Boundaries of Cabling?
The introduction of the Airblown Micro cable, Micro cable – 4mm, Micro Bullet Series Cable and the Riser Cable highlights our continuous commitment to disruptive technology and network designs, as well as innovative research and development. As the company behind India’s first and only Centre of Excellence for Broadband Research, we developed the cables with our global operator customers, responding to the need for efficient deployments and reduced Capital Expenditure (CapEx). The two new micro cables and air blown cable utilise existing and new duct systems to accommodate more fibres in a sub-duct network.
As a result, operators can implement high-density fibre counts within their existing cabling systems and deliver dedicated optical fibre in a flexible, reliable and upgradeable manner. This technology enables operators to meet global demands for 5G networks and Fibre-to-the-Point (FTTx) at reduced deployment time. The fourth technology – the Riser Cable – meets the industry standards for fire-resistance and is intended for FTTH in a vertical run shaft or inside buildings.
A Perfect Storm
Technologies which enable cost-effective and fast fibre deployments in this way are becoming more and more essential as operators try to stay ahead of trends such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Virtual Reality growth of 5G rollouts and driverless cars. With the density of homes in urban areas increasing, meaning the current fibre architecture must evolve and advance to the point of consumption, this is no easy task. But this is exactly the challenge our new cables aim to address, with some of the world’s leading operators already benefiting from the solutions.
The Future of Cables Showcased at ANGA COM 2018
The cables – which were showcased for the first time at ANGA COM 2018 and are already available on the market – are just part of our strategy as we look to deliver tomorrow’s technologies today. Our unique silicon-to-software capability is another way we are building and managing smarter networks, accelerating the digital transformation of our service provider customers. As we continue to work with today’s top telcos, we are also seeing an increase in industry collaboration and our customers are coming to us more frequently with new requests and needs as they keep up with customer demand. With ongoing partnerships and innovation, we are confident consumers’ appetite for 5G will be satisfied sooner than they think.
For more details: www.sterlitetech.com Link to Interview: https://www.fibre-systems.com/fs-tv/anga-com-interview-richard-eichhorn-sterlite-tech
FAQS
What is WiFi?
Put simply, WiFi is a technology that uses radio waves to create a wireless network through which devices like mobile phones, computers, printers, etc., connect to the internet. A wireless router is needed to establish a WiFi hotspot that people in its vicinity may use to access internet services. You’re sure to have encountered such a WiFi hotspot in houses, offices, restaurants, etc.
To get a little more technical, WiFi works by enabling a Wireless Local Area Network or WLAN that allows devices connected to it to exchange signals with the internet via a router. The frequencies of these signals are either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz bandwidths. These frequencies are much higher than those transmitted to or by radios, mobile phones, and televisions since WiFi signals need to carry significantly higher amounts of data. The networking standards are variants of 802.11, of which there are several (802.11a, 802.11b, 801.11g, etc.).
What is an Optical Fibre Cable?
An optical fibre cable is a cable type that has a few to hundreds of optical fibres bundled together within a protective plastic coating. They help carry digital data in the form of light pulses across large distances at faster speeds. For this, they need to be installed or deployed either underground or aerially. Standalone fibres cannot be buried or hanged so fibres are bunched together as cables for the transmission of data.
This is done to protect the fibre from stress, moisture, temperature changes and other externalities. There are three main components of a optical fibre cable, core (It carries the light and is made of pure silicon dioxide (SiO2) with dopants such as germania, phosphorous pentoxide, or alumina to raise the refractive index; Typical glass cores range from as small as 3.7um up to 200um), Cladding (Cladding surrounds the core and has a lower refractive index than the core, it is also made from the same material as the core; 1% refractive index difference is maintained between the core and cladding; Two commonly used diameters are 125µm and 140µm) and Coating (Protective layer that absorbs shocks, physical damage and moisture; The outside diameter of the coating is typically either 250µm or 500µm; Commonly used material for coatings are acrylate,Silicone, carbon, and polyimide).
An optical fibre cable is made up of the following components: Optical fibres – ranging from one to many. Buffer tubes (with different settings), for protection and cushioning of the fibre. Water protection in the tubes – wet or dry. A central strength member (CSM) is the backbone of all cables. Armoured tapes for stranding to bunch the buffer tubes and strength members together. Sheathing or final covering to provide further protection.
The five main reasons that make this technology innovation disruptive are fast communication speed, infinite bandwidth & capacity, low interference, high tensile strength and secure communication. The major usescases of optical fibre cables include intenet connectivity, computer networking, surgery & dentistry, automotive industry, telephony, lighting & decorations, mechanical inspections, cable television, military applications and space.