OFS Introduces EZ-Bend Optical Cable Technology
Norcross, GA - OFS recently announced the introduction of its new EZ-Bend optical cable technology to support multiple dwelling unit (MDU) and in-home wiring applications. The ground-breaking EZ-Bend Technology addresses the critical need to speed and simplify installations by allowing cables to be bent and routed in ways never before feasible using traditional optical drop cables, to facilitate rapid deployment of fiber to and within the residence.
Service providers need drop cables than can support many tight corner bends and stapling. The EZ-Bend technology enables in-residence optical cable installation with the same simple practices used for copper or coaxial cables. Cables using EZ-Bend technology can be stapled in place utilizing existing copper cable installation tools and routed around sharp corners. Its bending loss performance represents up to a 100-fold improvement over conventional single-mode fiber (SMF) type cables.
To satisfy this need, EZ-Bend technology enables negligible video signal loss (0.1 dB) for one turn at 5 mm radius, while conventional fibers under the same assumption would lose nearly all the signal and shut down service. OFS' EZ-Bend technology achieves this remarkable performance by integrating a new bend optimized fiber design in a new double-protected cable construction. This patent-pending technology is the first to provide such performance within a proven solid glass fiber construction, while being fully compatible with existing installed fibers.
"EZ-Bend technology will further help improve ‘fiber to the MDU' profitability and performance by providing simple, easy-to-install, backwards compatible optical connection to the subscriber, while bringing the best-in-class optical performance to our customers," said William Kloss, President, Telecommunications Marketing & Sales, Americas, at OFS. "OFS is continuously developing products and services to improve speed of deployment and help lower costs within FTTx networks," Mr. Kloss added.
OFS will provide EZ-Bend technology in the V-Linx drop cables used in its recently released V-Linx Spool & Play Solution for MDU deployments. A key component of the Access ADVANTAGE System for FTTx applications, the V-Linx Solution can simplify MDU installations and lower overall costs by up to 50%. The V-Linx drop cables are planned to be commercially available in 2008.
SOURCE: OFS