In the latest installment of our “Connector Basics” series, Randy Manning of APEX explains basic single-mode connector attenuation estimation using Monte Carlo simulation.    An optical fiber connector is a mechanical component that transfers light between two fibers or between a fiber and an active device such as a transmitter or receiver. A connector isRead More

Choosing between fiber optics and copper? According to Jacques Mieville of Fischer Connectors, the further you go, the more you need fiber.   When properly maintained, there is no argument that fiber has significantly greater bandwidth and is more reliable than copper. Because fiber transmits data as a series of light pulses instead of electricalRead More

Fiber optics has long been touted as the next big thing. After 30 years of expectation, is that reality finally here? Fiber optics has long been defined as a technology that will become mainstream within five years…for at least the last 30 years. That may finally be changing. We don’t see fiber replacing copper toRead More

Over the last three decades, a myriad of optical connectors have come and gone, but small form factor connectors are making the choice easier these days. Molex offers tips on how to specify small form factor optical connectors.    In a maturing market, there are clear winners that prove superior and push out competing technologies.Read More

Plastic optical fiber is an option for applications as diverse as residential wiring and avionics. Here’s a short guide to plastic optical fiber to help you determine if it’s what you need.   Installing plastic optical fiber (POF) cabling may be the better choice for networking with infrastructure runs of up to 80 meters that connect toRead More

Ensure optimal performance in demanding environments with these tips on how to specify industrial fiber optic cable from Kyle Mrkva of Belden.   Fiber optic cabling is applicable in any industrial environment where high-speed, high-bandwidth data solutions are needed. It can be used for campus and in-building data backbones to anchor an operation’s Ethernet, andRead More

Commonly overlooked when making a fusion splicer purchase, fiber optic cleavers are crucial tools that ensure perfectly smooth fiber ends. Sumitomo Electric Lightwave offers tips on how to choose fiber optic cleavers.   The fiber cleaver is a tool commonly overlooked when making a fusion splicer purchase. Just ask any technician who has worked the lateRead More

Traditionally, copper connectors have been the mainstay technology in military applications. Find out how ruggedized fiber optics in military-grade systems can outperform copper.   In mission-critical military systems, equipment failure and unplanned downtime cannot be tolerated. Traditionally, copper connectors have been the mainstay technology in military applications – withstanding the test of time due to their abilityRead More

The railway industry still hesitates to make systematic use of fiber optic technology on board rolling stock. HUBER+SUHNER explains how recent advances in cable and connectors have made on-train fiber optic connectivity a reality.   Over the past few years, the emergence of Ethernet as an industry standard for communication on board trains has moved from conceptRead More

The new iNEMI-MIT consortium on silicon photonics demonstrates that optical computing is serious business. Fiber optics have had a long, uphill battle in our industry, with millions invested and dot-com busts, but now FO appears in launchpad mode in the near future. The newly formed Photonic Systems Manufacturing Consortium (PSMC) is funded through The National InstituteRead More

The Souriau UTS LC fiber optic connector provides simple, multi-source optics for industrial and FTTX applications. Esterline Connection Technologies – Souriau expands its UTS series of products with the UTS LC fiber optic connector so that the range now covers the entire spectrum of power and signal needs in copper and fiber optic technologies, all with standardRead More

With more airline passengers demanding in-flight Wi-Fi, system designers need to find a smart solution for converting on-board systems to fiber optics. One of the hottest technology trends relating to cabin electronics in civil aircraft is creating designs that accommodate all the passengers that now want to use their smartphones, tablets, and laptops on board.Read More