Enhanced Blue Tiger Jumpers from OFS ideal for FTTP applications

9 October 2003 Norcross, GA Lightwave -- OFS today announced a significant specification enhancement to its Blue Tiger High Performance Jumpers. Used in the most demanding optical networks, Blue Tiger Jumpers now lead the industry with a new low loss threshold of 0.15 dB max with SC and LC connectors, down from the previous mark of 0.25 dB, say company representatives. The jumpers' improved performance is particularly beneficial in optical networks where loss budgets are limited and tight bends are necessary as fiber is routed at distribution locations.

Fiber-to-the-Premises (FTTP) systems use the 1490-nm wavelength for downstream data and voice, and the 1550-nm wavelength to deliver video services to subscribers. Many of the optical transmission systems such as DWDM, SONET, SDH, and Cable TV have evolved to take full advantage of the extended optical spectrum, particularly in the 1530-1565- nm to 1565 -1625-nm region (the C-band and L-band).

Blue Tiger jumpers reduce the 1550-nm loss that results from bends in standard SMF jumpers by up to 90%, say OFS representatives, a 1-dB power savings that can prevent degradation of revenue generating video services. The reduction in bending and insertion loss provided Blue Tiger Jumpers enables all of these applications to support longer distance and higher reliability networks.

"Susceptibility to bend-induced losses in these wavelength bands, versus the 1310-nm region, creates a challenge in areas where the handling and routing of fiber paths is necessary," reports Ric Johnsen, vice president, Optical Cable and Connectivity Division, OFS. "High bend losses can increase bit error rates and often force systems to retransmit entire data streams, which is a costly proposition. As loss budgets become tighter and networks more demanding, the performance of jumpers becomes more critical."

According to the company, the most compelling application of these improved jumpers is in the following places:

• High-speed optical paths in central offices, point-of-presence locations, or equipment buildings;
• High-performance optical networks operating in the C- and L-band spectrums;
• Service providers with high performance DWDM traffic systems or digital video systems;
• Service providers with networks carrying high traffic on a single fiber (>OC-48); and
• Optical networks with multiple "pass through" nodes.

OFS tests have shown that the measured loss in Blue Tiger Jumpers is below Telcordia's specific limit of 0.5 dB for one turn with a 16-mm radius at a wavelength of 1550 nm. The loss at 1625 nm is also below this limit, even for bends with a radius as tight as 10 mm.

Blue Tiger Jumpers are fully compatible with Non-zero Dispersion Fiber (NZDF) and all singlemode fiber systems. The jumpers also exceed all industry standards for singlemode fiber performance, claims the company.

"The product's distinctive blue coloring clearly identifies high-speed optical paths so that when a connection needs to be located or rearranged, it can be done quickly and with confidence," adds Johnsen.

Four connector types are available: standard SC, LC, FC, and ST�II+ connectors in lengths from four up to 200 feet.