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Optical Fiber is Future
Technology for Today and Tomorrow 5G known as Fifth Generation of Mobile Network has increased expectation of customers along with mobile service providers for higher bandwidth, low latency, spectrum efficient network. All communication technologies (wired and wireless) have own merit and demerit. In view of the requirements of 5G expected in the long run regarding data rate, latency, the optical fiber is basically the most future-proof and scalable medium under wired communication network and now supplement to wireless technology. In addition, it is operationally cost-effective in the long term because there are no longer active network elements between the control center and the mobile radio station. From a technical point of view, a pure fiber optic connection of the mobile radio stations is the most efficient choice in the long run.
According to the International Telecommunications Union's (ITU) latest “Trends in Telecommunication Reform” report, ongoing capital investments related to fiber infrastructure are expected to total a staggering $144.2B between 2014 and 2019. One of the primary drivers for this immense capital investment into fiber infrastructure deployments comes out of thin air, in the form of tomorrow’s 5G radios. Even for the sake of network management, the optical fiber connection of 5G locations is optimal. Due to the cellular nature of mobile phone networks, there are always interferences with neighbouring cells at the cell edge, which significantly impairs performance. This problem can be reduced with the introduction of 5G. However, this requires the fast and low-latency coordination of all neighbouring transmitting and receiving stations. For this reason, the optical fiber is the first choice from the technical point of view, as alternative backhaul technologies may lead to necessary compromises in the achievable coordination performance.
> JULY 2021
Madhukar Tripathi
Associate Director - Optical Business & Marketing, Anritsu India Pvt. Ltd.
Mobile service providers have used fiber for years, using the Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) and soon enhanced CPRI (eCPRI), as well as other optical schemes and microwave links for fronthaul, midhaul, and backhaul. But 5G presents a very different challenge than its 4G predecessor, as it will require more fiber in more places to serve 5G’s massive number of small cells, while accommodating data-intensive applications such as gaming, 4K video streaming, and virtual reality. All these applications will generate orders of magnitude more data than seen today. This data need a most cost effective mechanism to transfer from one site to other, with in network in more efficient and faster manner and Optical Fiber is answer to this. Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) is being produced more than ever now to ensure connectivity across buildings, cities, nations, and globe. Optical Fiber cables are tested for various stages during production. As per AMR Optical Fiber and Accessories Market in India to Hit $1.66 Billion by 2026, at 17.2% CAGR. Government projects like Bharatnet, Broadband for all, surge in adoption of Fiber To The Home (FTTH), FTTx connectivity by major telecom service providers (Reliance Jio, Airtel), modernization of communication network by Govt PSU’s and Statewide optical fiber deployment projects are creating demand for optical fiber cable.
TESTING OPTICAL FIBER CABLES
Manufacturer testing on fiber-optic cable falls into two general categories: production testing and characterization, or type, testing. These two kinds of tests are quite different, but each is useful in its own way.
Production testing:
Production testing is performed on each cable that rolls off
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