Unique designs combining copper and optical fiber in a single cable open up low cost conversion to full fibre optic FTTH connectivity when required
ANGA cable, May 26, 2009 -- Draka Communications, a global leader in the optical fiber industry, today presents a unique Cat.6 cable which in addition to a copper core contains four optical fibers which are integrated into the outer diameter (diagram) of the cable. A new Cat.7 hybrid cable is also available from Draka.
Designed originally for the Scandinavian market which has one of the the fastest FTTH growths in the world, the new cable cores consists of a U/UTP Cat.6 design with an additional slot. Within the fifth slot resides a 1.8 mm thick fiber optic cable with four BendBright-XS fibers. By means of a ripcord the fiber component can be easily detached from the copper data cable and be mounted into a patch panel or a termination box. Optionally, the new cable is also available with respective connectors or termination boxes already assembled.
At present, many telecommunication companies are investing in new FTTH networks which will eventually lead to a growing need for fiber optic cables in-house. Scandinavia leads the way by passing a first regulation stipulating that within new buildings, or for renovated residential building, a fiber optic termination is obligatory.
Cable solutions for high-end applications used in other European markets such as Cat.7 S/FTP are also part of Draka’s broad product range. The other new cable core consists of a proven Cat.7 S/FTP design of the Draka Universal Cabling (UC) brand. In addition to the four pairs, the fiber optic cable in this case is the central element.
In order to meet the demand for reduced bending radii in the closer confines of buildings, only single-mode Draka fibres complying with ITU-T standard G.657.B are applied. The bend-insensitivity of Draka’s BendBright-XS fibres is 100 times higher than that of standard single-mode fibres. They are fully backward compatible with existing fibres complying with ITU-T G.652.D as currently used in many FTTH installations.
Draka BendBright family
Draka’s BendBright-branded family of products, readily available today, is 100% compliant with G.652, the most deployed single-mode optical fiber worldwide. Draka’s family of bend insensitive fibers, which benefits from Draka’s unique Plasma Chemical Vapor Deposition (PCVD), now provides customers with the flexibility to select the best fiber for a desired application.
The unique features of the fibers from the BendBright family – leading-edge bending behavior in an all-solid glass design together with homogeneity, tight parameter distributions, very low splice losses, straightforward connections and premium attenuation values at any wavelength – are made possible by leveraging the flexibility and performance of Draka’s proprietary manufacturing platform.
About Draka
Draka (Euronext Amsterdam: DRAK), headquartered in Amsterdam, has around 9500, employees in countries worldwide and a 2008 annual turnover of € 2.7 billion. Draka has 68 subsidiaries in 30 countries in Europe, North and South America, Asia and Australia. Draka’s activities are divided into three groups: Energy & Infrastructure, Industry & Speciality and Communications. Draka Communications with its two business units, Telecom Solutions and Multimedia Specials, is a global market leader for the development, production and sales of fibers, cables and advanced network solutions.
More information at www.draka.com.
BendBright is a registered trademark of Draka.
Diagram 1 and Photo: the new Cat.6 hybrid cable core consists of a U/UTP design to which is added an additional slot. Within the fifth slot resides a 1.8 mm fiber optic cable with four BendBright-XS fibers. (high definition Cat 6 cable photos on request)
Diagram 2: Draka’s new Cat.7 cable core consists of the proven S/FTP design of the Draka Universal Cable brand which includes 1.8 mm fiber optic cable with four BendBright-XS fibers in this case as the central element.
