Loose tube and tight fiber optic cables are commonly used for high-speed signal transmission and can support outdoor or indoor environments. Is there a cost-effective solution to support indoor and outdoor environments in FTTH networks? To address this question, we present the construction and comparison of loose and tight bundled cables.
Glass fiber optic cable
Glass fiber optic cables have the lowest attenuation. Pure glass fiber optic cables have a glass core and glass cladding. This cable type is by far the most widely used. It is the most popular chain installer and the type of cable with which installers are most experienced. The glasses used in fiber optic cables are ultra-pure, ultra-clear, silica, or fused silica. During the manufacture of glass fiber optic cables, impurities are intentionally added to pure glass to achieve the ideal index of refraction needed to guide light. Germanium, titanium or phosphorus are added to increase the refractive index. Boron or fluorine is added to lower the refractive index. Other impurities may remain in glass cables after manufacture.
plastic optical cable
Among the three optical cables, plastic optical cables have the largest attenuation. Plastic fiber optic cables have a plastic core and cladding. This fiber optic cable is thick. Typical sizes are 480/500, 735/750 and 980/1000. The core usually consists of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) coated with a fluoropolymer. Plastic optical fiber cables are mainly used in the automotive industry. Given that short fiber optic cables are often required in data networks, the higher attenuation relative to glass may not be a serious obstacle. When network designers are faced with budgetary decisions, the cost advantages of plastic fiber optic cables intrigue them. Plastic fiber optic cables do have flammability issues. As such, it may not be suitable for some environments, and care must be taken when passing through air ducts. Otherwise, plastic fibers are considered very strong, have a small bend radius, and are able to withstand abuse.
Plastic-Coated Silica (PCS) Cable
The attenuation of PCS cables is between that of glass and plastic. PCS cables have a glass core (usually glass silicon) and a plastic cladding (usually a silicone elastomer with a low refractive index). There are three main disadvantages of PCS fabricated with silicone elastomer coatings. First of all, it has considerable plasticity, which brings difficulties to the application of connectors. Second, binding is impossible. Third, it is almost insoluble in organic solvents. These three factors make this type of fiber optic cable particularly unpopular with link installers. However, some improvements have been made in recent years.
Fiber-to-the-home networks increase the connection speeds available to homes, apartment buildings and businesses compared to the technology used in most places today. Fiber-to-the-home networks are the installation and use of optical fibers from a central point called an access node to individual buildings. The link between the user and the access node is realized through a fiber jumper.
