The need for faster data transmissions has arisen as data consumption has increased. There was a need for higher density cables with a higher fiber count to fulfill the constantly rising communication needs. Fiber optic microcables were created as a result of this.

Fiber optic microcables are thin, lightweight cables that consist of a bundle of optical fibers enclosed within a protective sheath. These microcables are designed for high-density and space-constrained applications, where traditional optic cables may not fit or may be too bulky. In this blog, we will explore the history of fiber optic cable, fiber optic microcables key features and benefits and their applications in various industries!

History of Fiber Optic Cable

The concept of transmitting light through a medium to transmit information dates back to the 19th century, but it wasn't until the 1950s that the first practical fiber-optic cable was developed by researchers in New York. These early fiber-optic cables were made of glass and used to transmit images for medical and industrial applications.

In the 1960s, researchers at the British Post Office and at Bell Labs in the United States independently developed the first practical fiber-optic communication systems, which used lasers to transmit data over long distances. The first transatlantic fiber-optic cable was installed in 1988, revolutionizing international communication.

Since then, fiber-optic technology has continued to advance, with improvements in both the cables themselves and the equipment used to transmit and receive signals. Today, fiber-optic cables are used in telecommunications, data centers, and other high-bandwidth applications, and are a key part of the global information infrastructure.

The Rise of Fiber Optic Microcables

In the past, data transmission relied on copper wires which had some drawbacks including:

  • Limitation of bandwidth and transmission speed
  • The physical size and weight of older telecommunications cables

But with the advent of Fiber optic microcables, the limitations that once hindered data transmission have been eliminated. Microcables have revolutionized the world of telecommunications and data centers by addressing the limitations of traditional copper wires, such as bandwidth and transmission speed, physical size, and weight.

Nowadays, microcables are widely used in industries where high-speed and reliable communication is essential. These cables have a much higher bandwidth than copper cables and can transmit data over longer distances, making them the preferred choice for modern communication networks.

Microcable’s use in Telecommunication Industry

Before the invention of microcables, one of the main challenges in telecommunications was the limitation of bandwidth and transmission speed over traditional copper wires. This was addressed through the development of optical fibers, which offered much higher bandwidth and faster data transmission speeds ( 5.0 to 5.5 microseconds of latency/km) over longer distances. Another challenge was the physical size and weight of older telecommunications cables, which made installation and maintenance difficult. Micro cables helped to address this by providing smaller, lighter cables that were easier to install and maintain.

Microcables, also known as microduct cables, are being increasingly used in the telecommunication industry due to their compact size and high fiber density. These cables consist of small tubes or ducts that can house multiple individual fibers, allowing for a high fiber count in a small cable. This makes them ideal for use in situations where space is limited, such as in crowded urban areas or when installing cables in pre-existing ducts.

HFCL’s Optical Fiber Microcables

The three new 12 fiber/tube microcables from HFCL are smaller loose tube microcables made with 200m optical fiber. These recently created designs provide fiber packing densities that are among the best on the market. The cables use ITU G.657.A1 compliant optical fiber with a nominal mode field diameter of 9.2 microns and HFCL's top-tier fiber draw technology to achieve this packing density. By avoiding the high cost and potentially substantial fusion splicing loss of rivals' solutions that use G.657.A2 fibers, this provides service providers with a solution that is fully backward compatible with the existing base of G.652.D fiber.

With a service temperature range of -40°C to 70°C, the new family fully complies with the criteria of both the IEC 60794-5-10 and ICEA S-122-744 standards for microcable. The new cables' sizes and fiber packing densities are contrasted with those of conventional 200m fiber microcables.

Table 1. Diameters and fiber packing densities of new 12-fiber/tube HFCL microcables with 200m G.657.A1 fiber

fiber count New compact 200μm cable Conventional 200μm cable
Diameter (mm) Packing density (fibers/mm2) Diameter (mm) Packing density (fibers/mm2)
96 4.6 5.8 5.2 4.5
144 6.0 5.1 6.8 4.0
288 7.4 6.1 8.1 5.6

Advantages of Fiber Optic Microcables

  1. Small in size- One of the main advantages of microcables is their size. Because they are so small, they can be easily installed in tight spaces, making them ideal for use in buildings, vehicles, and other small areas where larger cables would be impractical.
  2. More Flexible- Another advantage of microcables is their flexibility. They can be bent and twisted without breaking, which makes them well-suited for use in applications where the cable will need to move or flex. This flexibility also makes them more resistant to damage from vibration, impact, and other environmental factors.
  3. Highly Durable- Microcables are also highly durable. They are typically made from materials that are resistant to heat, moisture, and chemicals, which makes them ideal for use in harsh environments. Additionally, because they are so small, they are less likely to be damaged by factors like weather or animals. HFCL microcables can services at a temperature range of -40°C to 70°C.
  4. Higher data Transmission- In addition to their physical properties, microcables are also highly efficient in terms of data transmission and power transmission. Because they are made of thin wires or fibers, they have low resistance, which means that they can transmit data or power over long distances with minimal loss of signal or energy.

In conclusion, fiber optic microcables are a vital component in modern telecommunications systems, providing high-speed data transfer with minimal signal loss. They are lightweight, compact, and can be easily installed in tight spaces, making them ideal for use in a variety of applications, such as data centers, offices, and residential buildings.

With the growing demand for high-speed data transfer, the use of fiber optic microcables is expected to continue to rise. As technology evolves, we can expect to see even smaller and more efficient microcables being developed, further improving the speed and reliability of our communication networks.

FAQs

An optical fiber cable is a type of cable made of thin, flexible strands of glass or plastic that are used to transmit data over long distances. It is a key component in high-speed internet and telecommunications networks. The cable consists of a core, cladding, and a protective outer layer called a jacket. Light signals are transmitted through the core, which is surrounded by the cladding, and the jacket provides protection from environmental factors.

The technology behind optical fiber cables is based on the principle of total internal reflection, which allows light to bounce back and forth within the core, enabling it to travel long distances without losing its strength or clarity. This makes optical fiber cables capable of transmitting vast amounts of data at very high speeds.

Optical fiber cables are widely used in telecommunications, including phone lines, cable TV, and internet services. They are also used in other industries, such as medical equipment and industrial control systems, due to their high bandwidth and low interference.

There are three types of Microcable:

  • Single-mode fiber optic cable: This cable has a small core diameter, usually approximately 9 microns, allowing a single mode of light to flow through the core. As a result, single mode fiber has very low signal attenuation, making it excellent for long-distance, high-bandwidth applications like telecommunication and internet backbones.
  • Multimode fiber optic cable: This type of cable has a wider core diameter, typically ranging from 50 to 62.5 microns, allowing different modes of light to pass through the core. Multimode fiber is used in shorter distance applications, such as data centers and LANs, where the signal attenuation is less of a concern.
  • Plastic optical fiber: This cable is composed of plastic and has a bigger core diameter, often approximately 1mm. Because POF is less expensive than glass fiber optic cables, it is more suited for consumer applications such as home networking, automobile, and industrial control systems. Plastic optical fiber, on the other hand, has a higher signal attenuation than glass fiber optic cables and has a limited bandwidth capacity.

Microcables offer several advantages over traditional cables, including smaller size, lighter weight, and higher data transmission rates. They are also more durable and can withstand harsh environmental conditions.