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by www.fiber-mart.com There is no quicker way to transmit data through the Internet than to connect your computer to a network using fiber optics cable technologies. The bursts of light sending data through this networking equipment offers rates of connectivity never before seen in the world of information technology, a benefit that we’re quick to point out here on the Connected Fiber blog.   There are plenty of other ways that  fiber optics  stacks up positively when compared to other forms of cabled Internet connections. As this article published by AL.com discusses, benefits range from cost savings to more durable and stable online connections for users.   Many people point out the incredible cost of installing fiber optics cable as a major obstacle, which often discourages people from choosing to convert to the technology. Once those cables are laid down, however, most subscribers are surprised at how long they can go between necessary maintenance sess...

by www.fiber-mart.com As much as the cost of laying down optic fiber can be, with all the digging up of roads and digging in trenches and creating the cable, it doesn’t even come close to the cost of Video for a company to afford. Surprisingly, TV programming is the biggest thing that is holding back optic fiber from spreading everywhere quickly.   It all has to do with most cable companies offering packages that provide both internet and TV and sometimes even phone all as one big payment. This means the average household actually takes advantage of these bundles and in turn we end up with people who won’t actually buy  optic fiber internet  because it doesn’t come with TV programming.   It’s a big drawback and one that Google in particular has been dealing with as they lay more and more Google Fiber. It makes it difficult for any optic fiber company to really get off the ground even though the internet they provide is always far superior than anything cab...

by www.fiber-mart.com Over the years, there have been a number of ways developed in an attempt to figure out how it might be possible to predict landslides. One of the more recent to appear happens to utilize  fiber optic cables  to create something like a nervous system, or more accurately a spider web that can be monitored for vibrations to determine if a landslide is going to occur. Of course, it may not seem like much to learn to predict landslides, but actually thousands die every year because of rock falls and landslides and this is just one of many technologies that can help assist people in avoiding those problems all together.   The device that is currently used to determine problems with landslides is called an electronic inclinometer and is placed on slopes that are considered a major risk, but only notifies us when the slope’s angle is changed from what it was originally. This gives us little more than minutes to do anything about it, and that means any...

by www.fiber-mart.com Most people think of fiber optics in relation to internet connectivity, but there are a wide range of fields where this technology can prove useful. In fact, new efforts have been made to take advantage of fiber optics in the medical community.   But just how is this technology useful to doctors? It turns out that it can enhance miniature microscopy, allowing healthcare professionals to see hard-to-reach tissue.   Optical fiber is extremely bendable, which means it could be used to reach almost any place inside the body. Combining fiber optic cables with miniature microscopes could allow doctors to detect problems in the body in ways they could never have dreamed of doing before.  Fiber optics  and microscopes? They do make a good pair!   According to this Bioopticsworld.com article, a professor at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville recently turned a simple microscope into one of these fiber optic devices. The device ...

by www.fiber-mart.com In an earlier post, we discussed the virtue of “going optic” and how America should be rewired, so to speak, with  fiber optics  – and while we focused primarily on Internet speeds, we would do you a grave disservice if we didn’t talk about all the other exciting developments going on in the world of fiber optics, most notably regarding pregnancy and ailments.   10769396_SAccording to this Medical Daily article, fiber optics might make it possible for smartphones to detect pregnancy and monitor diabetes. We have come a long, long way from the Stone Age – that’s for sure – like we’re riding a train made of fiber optics and bulleting into the future. You see, smartphones are on their way to reading biomolecular tests, such as pregnancy tests, thanks to developing research from Hanover Centre for Optical Technologies in Germany.   The brains behind this project, Kort Bremer and Bernhard Roth, say, “We have the potential to develop small ...

by www.fiber-mart.com Whew…much of what we talk about this blog seems to be the stuff of sci-fi poetry. Underwater cables spider webbing the world, bringing together our various voices and helping us to communicate. Additionally, a lot of what we talk about seems to be the stuff of sci-fi espionage or cosmic noir. All up and down the California coast, shadowy criminals cutting cords in the middle of the night. That is all fascinating, but there’s one thing we’ve haven’t brought up and that’s how fiber optics will help humanity take that next great leap: space. Yes, we’re talking about space travel. There has been much momentum of late regarding the technological capabilities of manmade space travel with the help of  fiber optics . Or, at the very least, can help humanity better shoot their message into space as discussed in this Live Science article.   Stephanie Pappas of Live Science talks with Doug Vakoch, a researcher at the SETI Institute in charge of interstellar m...

by www.fiber-mart.com The UK isn’t known for having especially fast broadband speeds. Last month, a group of business leaders in Britain published a study in which they accused the UK government of having a “poverty of ambition” that has caused the country to lag behind other developed nations in the adoption of high speed  fiber optic internet . The authors of the study argue that improved broadband speeds would increase productivity in British businesses and allow them to offer greater flexibility to their employees.   Well, the UK government might be suffering from a poverty of ambition, but the nation’s scientists certainly aren’t.   A group of researchers at University College London’s Optical Networks Group (ONG) recently announced that they had developed a new technique that allows them to achieve data transfer rates of up to 1.125 terabits per second using fiber optic cables. That’s roughly 50,000 times faster than the average broadband connection in th...

by www.fiber-mart.com You might think your old  DSL connection  was slow, but it’s still probably a whole lot faster than the internet connections that reach many of the residents of the Alaskan North Slope and Bering Sea coastline. These folks are still stuck with near dial-up speeds from satellite providers that are prone to latency and connectivity issues. In recent years, this lack of reliable broadband access has hampered economic development, education and healthcare in the region.   Before too long, however, more than 26,500 Alaska residents will be connected to the rest of the world by a 1 Gbps fiber optic network. The project is called the “Quintillion Sub-Sea Cable System,” and it’s expected to reach 6 villages in Alaska by mid-2017.   The first phase of the project will focus on connecting northern Alaska with the country’s lower 48 states. Phase two and three will connect Japan and London to the network via 15,000 km of undersea cable. This wil...

by www.fiber-mart.com In addition to bringing the Internet to people all over the world, optical signals have a host of other lesser-known uses as well. Recently, the Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) announced that it will use optical fibers to help monitor and maintain the subterranean gas lines that carry fuel throughout the state. The first phase of the fiber optic monitoring system will be installed on a seven-mile stretch of pipeline north of Los Angeles later this year.   The  optical fibers  will be buried 36 inches underground, and about 12 inches above the pipelines they’ll monitor. They will be connected to a remote station that will provide technicians with early warning alerts at the first sign of trouble. By interpreting changes in the optical signal, the monitoring system is able to identify and distinguish between different types of damage such as a leak or accidental dig-in by a third party contractor. It’s able to pinpoint the location of...

by www.fiber-mart.com There are many people who believe fiber optics are the future of communication in this country. And for good reason.  Fiber optic cables  are currently being used to send voice messages, images, videos, and more at the speed of light. The fiber rods are made of glass or plastic and have the capability of sending data quicker and more effectively than the old metal wires that have been used to do the same thing for many years now. But when and where were fiber optics first invented?   THE HISTORY OF FIBER OPTIC CABLES The history of fiber optic cables actually dates back to the mid-1800s. While the cables themselves weren’t invented back then, the technology behind them was first researched when scientists and inventors like John Tyndall, Alexander Graham Bell, and William Wheeler started toying around with the idea of using the speed of light to transmit information. Over the next 100 years or so, other researchers continued to push forward ...

by www.fiber-mart.com If and when fiber optic cables get accidentally severed, they can be joined together again using one of two methods. There’s “termination” and there’s “splicing.” Fiber optic splicing is the preferred method for joining two different types of cable together or when cable runs are considered too long for just a single length of fiber.   MECHANICAL VERSUS FUSION SPLICING Speaking of splicing, there are two types: mechanical and fusion. When mechanical splicing is performed, simple alignment devices are used. These hold two fiber ends in such a position that light can pass from one fiber into the other. Fusion splicing, on the other hand, involves a machine that aligns fiber ends while welding them together using heat or electric. Fusion splices result in lower loss light transmissions than mechanical splices do. Cost-wise, mechanical may be a lower investment initially, but then costs per splice are expensive, whereas fusion’s the opposite: a higher inv...

by www.fiber-mart.com Fiber optic cables  have been around for years now, but over the last decade or two, companies have come up with all sorts of ways to put them to good use. Fiber optic cables contain a few thousand optical fibers inside of them, and they are used to transmit data by utilizing light. They have changed the way that information is sent all over the world, and in the coming years, they are going to be used even more than they already are today. Let’s take a look at some of the most common uses for fibers optic cables.   INTERNET Because fiber optic cables are able to take incredibly large amounts of data and move them quickly, they are primarily used by those who use the internet. Data used to be moved around through the use of copper wires, but those wires weren’t equipped to move the data as quickly as fiber optic cables can do it. So there are more and more places that are turning to fiber optic cables for their internet needs.   TELEPHON...

by www.fiber-mart.com Fiber optics is a term that has become common in the telecommunications and networking industries. As this technology has become more standard, it has revolutionized data transmission. Are you wondering what all the excitement is surrounding fiber optics? Here’s a beginner’s guide to fiber optics.   AN INTRODUCTION TO FIBER OPTICS Fiber optic cable  is a special cable that replaces the older, copper wiring that was used for phone and data signal transmission for many years. Whereas copper cable is used by sending electrical signals along the wire, fiber optic cables are used by sending bursts of light along the cable. The light signals may be generated with a laser or with LEDs. Fiber optic cable is made of tiny glass strands that are wrapped in a layer of cladding that allows the light to be carried along the cable.   THE BENEFITS OF FIBER OPTICS Fiber optic cable offers many advantages over traditional copper cable. Fiber optics is a...

by www.fiber-mart.com More and more people are starting to see all of the benefits that come along with installing fiber optic networks. As a result, many home and business owners are turning to fiber optics for all of their connectivity needs. They are using fiber optic network to connect TVs, computers, and many other electronics. However, there are some people who are concerned about how long fiber optic networks might last in the grand scheme of things, since they are made, in part, of glass. Take a look at a few of the factors that could impact how long your specific network lasts.   PROTECTION The fiber inside of  fiber optic cables  have surface flaws that can cut down on their overall lifespan. Fortunately, those who manufacture the cables have figured out a simple way to reduce these flaws and to protect the cables as a whole. Fiber optic cables typically come coating in a protective material that is designed to make the fibers more durable. You should i...

by www.fiber-mart.com Fiber optic cables, which contain very thin strands of glass that are used to transmit information through light, have become more and more common over the last 10 years. You might not even realize it, but the cables are used for a variety of things. Check out at some of the ways fiber optic cables are used in our everyday lives.   HIGH-SPEED INTERNET One of the biggest advantages of using  fiber optic cables  over traditional copper cables is that they are capable of transmitting large amounts of data very quickly. This makes them perfect for internet providers who want to give their customers the opportunity to obtain high-speed internet. Fiber optic cables are a lot less bulky than other cables and they can also carry way more data, which makes them an ideal internet solution.   CABLE TV The need for improved signal transmission has grown exponentially in the cable industry in recent years. Most people have high-definition TVs ...

by www.fiber-mart.com Have you noticed that more and more things are becoming computerized? Even the roads we drive on will be highly influenced by computer technology in the days to come…   For now, people drive their own cars and trucks on roads, highways, and elsewhere. We live in a mobile society, and with so many people in traffic, obviously traffic control systems are paramount to a structured, well-functioning society.   INTELLIGENT TRAFFIC SYSTEMS There’s such a thing as “intelligent traffic systems (ITS).” These systems utilize technology to help prevent traffic congestion. Case in point– you’re using your smartphone to take a trip from the northeast to  the southwest. Along the way, you have your phone telling you what roads to take, where to turn, etc. Here’s where it gets interesting: say there’s a car crash on Route 77 near Charlotte. Your phone amazingly knows this information, and it alerts you to it. “You can save 15 minutes by taking this alt...

by www.fiber-mart.com When a fiber optic company is installing, replacing, or repairing fiber optic cables, there is likely going to come a time when fiber optic splicing will need to be done. More often than not, it happens when a piece of fiber optic cable is not long enough to reach its desired destination. Fiber optic splicing makes it possible to take two pieces of fiber optic cable and splice them together in order to create one long piece of fiber optic cable. It really comes in handy for many companies who specialize in dealing with fiber optic cable all the time.   MECHANICAL SPLICING There are two main ways to go about  splicing fiber optic cables . The first is called mechanical splicing and it can usually be done in a matter of just a few minutes. To do a mechanical splice, you need to take the outer protective layer of a fiber optic cable and strip it back. Then, you need to clean it and make a precise cut in the cable. From there, you will need to do the...

by www.fiber-mart.com Have you heard of “dark fiber?” This term refers to unused network infrastructure– optical fiber that’s not in use, with no light going through it. Since data is transported over fiber networks using light passed through cables, if and when no data is being transported, the fiber goes dark.   WHERE IS DARK FIBER? Where might you find dark fiber? In many cases, when companies initially install  fiber optics  they tend to overestimate the amount of infrastructure and cabling needed for the present time. It’s kind of like when a municipality builds extra roads in a neighborhood, “just in case” they’re needed at some time. Basically, there are many fiber optic networks these days which have extra capacity that’s not being used– plenty of dark fiber exists all over the U.S.A.   Here’s where it gets interesting: dark fiber networks currently exist because the available dark fiber is being leased from network providers and operators. These...

by www.fiber-mart.com Fiber optic cables are becoming more and more important in our daily lives. They’re used to transmit large amounts of information very quickly, and we rely on them to maintain strong phone, cable, and internet connections. In addition, there are plenty of other practical applications for fiber optic cables, as they’ve found a home in the medical and dental industries and have even been worked into many vehicles and lighting systems.   If you use fiber optic cables regularly, you should take the time to clean them so they don’t slow down on you. If a small amount of oil from your hands or dust is able to make its way into your fiber optic cables, it could send your entire system crashing down. Something as small as a dust particle could potentially stop the light inside the cables from getting where it needs to go. That in turn could slow down the transmission of data and reduce the benefits of using fiber optic cables in the first place.   You ...

by www.fiber-mart.com Keeping up with technology is tough to do these days. New technology products drop, and by the time people understand how to use them, there are already newer products released to take their place. It’s why investing in technology is usually not a great idea. Nevertheless, despite this, fiber optic cabling networks are proving to be a solid investment. Here are some reasons for it.   FIBER OPTIC CABLES ARE DURABLE. The first thing that makes a  fiber optic cabling network  such a good investment is its durability. When you install fiber optic cables properly, they shouldn’t have to be replaced for decades. They will be able to withstand almost any conditions, and if a problem does pop up, it’s usually simple enough to replace a portion of fiber optic cabling rather than ripping out the entire network.   THE TECHNOLOGY BEHIND FIBER OPTIC CABLES ISN’T CHANGING MUCH. While just about all technology is changing and evolving more rapid...

by www.fiber-mart.com There is a wide assortment of applications for  fiber optic cables , which is why they’re popping up in more and more places today. You will find fiber optic cables in telecommunications networks, in hospitals, in cars, and even in certain types of outdoor lighting. But do you know what fiber optic cables are actually made from? Here are some of the materials commonly found in fiber optic cables.   POLYVINYL CHLORIDE, BETTER KNOWN AS PVC PVC can be found in fiber optic cables that are used both inside and outside. It features flame retardant properties and is resistant to many different environmental factors. It’s not quite as flexible as polyethylene, or PE, but you will still find it in many fiber optic cables despite this.   POLYETHYLENE, BETTER KNOWN AS PE PE is one of the most popular cable jacket materials used in those fiber optic cables found outdoors. It’s resistant to both moisture and weather and is also known to be a great ...

by www.fiber-mart.com There are several methods you can utilize to conduct fiber optic testing. You can use visible light source testing, power meter and light source testing, and optical time domain reflectometer testing to get the job done. Nevertheless, no matter which approach you take to fiber optic testing, it’s important that you do it for many different reasons. Take a look at some of those reasons below.   FIBER OPTIC TESTING  WILL ENHANCE THE PERFORMANCE OF YOUR SYSTEM. Fiber optic networks are superior to other networks because of their bandwidth and speed. But if you don’t have regular fiber optic testing done, you might not get to enjoy just how powerful the performance of a fiber optic network can be. Testing your system will help it perform at its best at all times.   IT’LL INCREASE THE LONGEVITY OF YOUR FIBER OPTIC SYSTEM. In addition to giving your fiber optic network performance a boost, fiber optic testing will also increase the lifespan ...

by www.fiber-mart.com As long as  fiber optic cables  are installed properly, they should stand up to just about anything and continue to do their jobs. Nevertheless, there are certain instances in which fiber optic cables stop working due to unpredictable damage. Here are a few common examples:   ANIMALS CHEW THROUGH THEM There are all kinds of animals out there, including everything from rats and rabbits to squirrels and bears, that will do damage to fiber optic cables if they come across them. In some cases, squirrels have been known to gnaw through fiber optic cables and knock out internet service for millions of people. In others, bears have ripped fiber optic cables to shreds with their teeth. Although it’s relatively rare to see animals damaging fiber optic cables, it does happen every now and then.   VANDALS CUT THEM Animals aren’t the only ones who seem to enjoy cutting off fiber optic connections. Over the years, there have also been thousand...