Archived — Fiber Optic Technology

:: What Is an Photodetector? An optical detector is a device that converts light signals into electrical signals, which can then be amplified and processed. The photodetector is as essential an element of any fiber optic system as the optical fiber or the light source. Photodetectors can dictate the performance of a fiber optic communication link. :: Semiconductor Photodiodes Semiconductor photodiodes are the most commonly used detectors in optical fiber systems since they provide good performance, being small in size, and are of low cost. Semiconductor photodiodes are made of silicon, germanium, GaAs, InGaAs, etc. :: How Does a Photodetector

:: What Is OM4 Fiber Anyway? OM4 fiber is a laser-optimized, high bandwidth 50um multimode fiber. OM4 fiber is not a new fiber type. All major fiber manufacturers have been selling a fiber with an effective modal bandwidth (EMB) value equivalent to that specified by OM4 since 2005. The change is that there is now a standard that is specifically targeted at this product. Prior to the standardization of OM4, these higher bandwidth fibers were sold as a part of OM3. OM3 and OM4 fiber are referred to as “laser-optimized” multimode fibers because they are specifically designed for optimum performance

Today’s businesses reply on their communication systems to stay competitive. Communication systems cover a wide range of voice, information processing, and signaling systems used to connect users together or to share information. Five categories of communications systems in commercial buildings need structured cabling systems. These are: Phone systems Data systems Local Area Networks (LANs) Building Automation and Control Systems (BACS) Sound Systems Each type of system is defined by NEC (National Electrical Code) in different sections of the NEC. Each system requires its own cabling system and usually is bid and built by separate contractors. Phone Systems Most commercial businesses

:: What Is a Active Optical Cable (AOC) Anyway? Here is the brief definition of AOC: Active Optical Cable (AOC) is a cabling technology that accepts same electrical inputs as a traditional copper cable, but uses optical fiber “between the connectors”. AOC uses electrical-to-optical conversion on the cable ends to improve speed and distance performance of the cable without sacrificing compatibility with standard electrical interfaces. A picture is worth a thousand words. Let’s look at one AOC product. The following picture shows a 40Gb/s QSFP+ Active Optical Cable Assembly from Siemon Company. Take a even closer examination and we can

The Purpose of TIA-942 Standard The purpose of TIA-942 standard is to provide requirements and guidelines for the Design and Installation of a data center or computer room TIA-942 standard will enable design to be involved early in construction process TIA-942 allows for long term planning of data centers to support growth and future applications TIA-942 includes guidelines for data center design, cabling system infrastructure, telecommunications spaces and topologies, cabling systems, cabling pathways, redundancy and informative annexes. What is a Data Center? Data center is a building or portion of a building whose primary function is to house a computer