Fiber Optic Cables

Image Part Number Description / PDF Quantity Rfq
N549-01K

N549-01K

Tripp Lite

CBL FBR OPTIC 125UM DUPLX 304.8M

429

Fiber Optic Cables

1. Overview

Fiber optic cables are advanced transmission media that use light pulses to carry data through flexible glass or plastic fibers. They enable high-speed, long-distance communication with superior bandwidth and immunity to electromagnetic interference. As critical infrastructure in modern technology, these cables support global internet connectivity, telecommunications networks, and high-precision industrial systems.

2. Main Types & Functional Classification

TypeFunctional FeaturesApplication Examples
Single-Mode Fiber (SMF)9/125 m core/cladding, laser light source, low attenuationLong-haul telecom backbones, 5G networks
Multi-Mode Fiber (MMF)50/125 m or 62.5/125 m core, LED light source, higher dispersionData centers, local area networks (LANs)
Tight Buffered CableIndividual fiber coating with polymer, flexible for indoor useBuilding internal wiring, patch cords
Loose Tube CableWaterproof gel-filled tubes, durable for outdoor environmentsUnderground installations, aerial deployments
Ribbon Fiber CableFlat ribbon structure with multiple fibers, high-density designHigh-capacity data centers, fiber-to-the-home (FTTH)

3. Structure & Composition

A typical fiber optic cable consists of four concentric layers:

  1. Core: Glass (silica) or plastic center (5-50 m diameter) for light transmission
  2. Cladding: Lower-refractive-index material (125 m) to contain light via total internal reflection
  3. Coating: UV-cured acrylate layers (250 m total) for mechanical protection
  4. Outer Jacket: Flame-retardant polymer (PVC/LSZH) with strength members (aramid yarn, steel)

4. Key Technical Specifications

ParameterDescriptionImportance
Attenuation0.2-0.3 dB/km (SMF), 2.5-3.5 dB/km (MMF)Directly affects transmission distance
Bandwidth10-100 GHz km (MMF), virtually unlimited (SMF)Determines data capacity
Operating Wavelength1310nm/1550nm (SMF), 850nm/1300nm (MMF)Matches light source characteristics
Minimum Bend Radius20 cable diameter (standard), 10 (bend-insensitive fibers)Prevents microbending losses
Temperature Range-40 C to +70 C (standard), -55 C to +85 C (specialty)Ensures reliability in extreme conditions

5. Application Fields

  • Telecommunications: Core/backbone networks, submarine cables
  • Data Centers: Inter-server connections (400Gbps/800Gbps systems)
  • Medical: Endoscopy imaging, surgical lasers
  • Military: Secure communication systems, radar
  • Energy: Power grid monitoring, oil/gas pipeline sensing

6. Leading Manufacturers & Products

ManufacturerRepresentative ProductsTechnical Advantages
Corning Inc.SMF-28 ULL, ClearCurve MMFUltra-low loss (0.16dB/km at 1550nm), bend-insensitive design
Prysmian GroupPrysmian OKM 2000Dry-core water-blocked cables for metro networks
Huawei OptiXtransDC908 Series800Gbps per fiber, G.654.E ultra-large core fiber
CommScopeSYSTIMAX SCQHigh-density MPO connectors, TAA compliance
Sumitomo ElectricZ-Match FiberLow-PMD (0.02ps/ km) for 400G systems

7. Selection Guidelines

  1. Determine transmission requirements: Distance, speed, and protocol (e.g., 100G Ethernet)
  2. Environmental factors: Outdoor/indoor, temperature range, potential mechanical stress
  3. Standards compliance: ITU-T G.652/G.657 for SMF, OM3/OM4/OM5 for MMF
  4. Connector types: LC, SC, MPO for different density needs
  5. Lifecycle cost analysis: Consider maintenance, scalability, and future-proofing (e.g., bend-insensitive fibers)

8. Industry Trends

Key developments shaping the future of fiber optics include:

  • Mass adoption of 400Gbps+ systems driving SMF demand
  • Expansion of fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) networks with XGS-PON technology
  • Integration of AI-driven OTDR monitoring for real-time fault detection
  • Development of hollow-core fibers (HCF) enabling 0.1dB/km attenuation
  • 5G infrastructure requiring massive MIMO antenna fiberization
  • Green manufacturing trends reducing halogenated materials
RFQ BOM Call Skype Email
Top