The evolution and advancement of High Density Fibre Optic infrastructure networks

The demand for high density solutions has been driven mainly by data centre and telecom carrier environments trying to minimise floor space requirements by better utilising cable duct space, improving fibre optic cable management, protection and security. Cable construction methods have evolved, increasing cable densities, which provides a further challenge for network operators and requires improved cable management.

The miniaturisation of components and connector types, including connector interfaces such as LC/UPC and LC/APC, as well as multi-fibre push-on connectors (MPO/MTP), has also driven the requirement for high density solutions.

The recent density increases in data centre and telecommunications networks places extreme importance on the quality and design features of the Optical Distribution Frame (ODF), which can make or break the ability of the network to handle a large volume of connections, as well as provide the vital level of scalability.

Therefore, a key piece of infrastructure in a high density fibre optic network is the ODF. An ODF also allows for simplified troubleshooting, cable management and redirection of services in an effective and efficient manner. Deploying an ODF with the appropriate high density Optical Fibre Termination Panels (FTPs) will provide significant density increases and allow the network to scale effectively.

Important considerations for selecting a leading fibre management solution incorporating the ODF, associated FTPs and hardware are:

• Understanding the end-to-end solution and its potential scalability
• Line cable entry and break-out/management of tubes to various FTPs
• Patch cord management, routing and storage
• Segregation and management of different cable types (stranded, flexible ribbon, pre-terminated distribution)
• Ease of fibre management, splicing and/or patching and selection of FTPs
• Overall density requirements for beginning and end of life of the network
• Mounting and securing the ODF and understanding the physical environment
• Distribution and management of fibre cables within the data centre and telecommunication environments.
   

When designing an end-to-end solution and selecting a product mix, it is important to take into consideration every aspect of the active equipment and passive network cabling infrastructure, including the following:

• Line cable type being used: loose tube, flat ribbon, rollable ribbon, riser/distribution as well as the cable capacity, construction type, etc.
• Is it a splice/patch solution, pre-terminated patch-only requirement, or a combination of both?
• The connector interface requirements — LC, SC/A, MTP^®/MPO (other high density connector types are also available).
• Physical security requirements.
• What are the network configuration and terminations: to internal distribution cable or top-of-rack infrastructure?
   

The answers to these questions will then determine the requirements for the following product sets:

• Optical Distribution Frames (ODFs)
• Fibre Termination Panels (FTPs)
• Top and/or bottom cable entry
• Cable breakout devices
• Slack storage and management
• Patching and cabling distribution systems
• Trunk cabling
• Patch leads and accessories
   

For instance, understanding the incoming line cable construction type and capacity will help determine and select the correct method for breaking out/dividing cable sub-units and how to effectively manage this cable within an ODF.

For example, a 1728 fibre cable may differ from manufacturer to manufacturer, which may require a different ODF entry point and cable breakout and management device.

In addition to terminating incoming line cable, an ODF may also be used to distribute internal tie cabling, including microcore fibre cable, which can be either spliced into pigtails or form part of a pre-terminated MTP/MPO cabling solution.

These functions may be performed within a single ODF, or they may be performed in an adjacent or nearby ODF.

An ODF should be able to terminate, manage and distribute low/medium/high/ultra-high density cable types from the outside plant and manage the transition to patch cords or internal distribution cable, including tight buffered or microcore fibre optic cable.

For larger core count cables (>144F), incoming line cable needs to be generally broken out into smaller sub-units in the ODF to allow for transitioning to transport tubes.

Generally, the following high density fibre capacities are available and are most common:

• Loose tube/stranded fibre — 72 fibres, 144 fibres, 288 fibres, 360 fibres, 576 fibres, 720 fibres, 864 fibres
• Flat Ribbon — 144 fibres, 288 fibres, 432 fibres, 576 fibres, 864 fibres
• Spider Web/Flexible ribbon — 864 fibres, 1728 fibres, 3456 fibres, 6912 fibres
• Pre-terminated microcore cable (MPO/MTP) — 12 fibres, 24 fibres, 36 fibres, 48 fibres, 72 fibres, 96 fibres, 144 fibres.
   

Ensuring the ODF has the capacity to not only bring in high density cables but also breakout and safely manage each tube is extremely important. The other important aspect to consider is the type of FTPs for use in an ODF or rack, as this will greatly impact the overall density of the solution.

There are numerous factors to consider when designing and building these types of networks and the team at WBT can assist you every step of the way. Keeping in mind, with the WBT high density solution, density is not something that’s compulsory to fully exploit; rather, it’s a useful option now or in the future.

Having an ODF rack with higher density than needed today means it has an element of futureproofing built-in. Therefore, customers have the option to use WBT’s ODF capacity to best suit their network requirements. In a telecommunications network or data centre, network requirements may be different across several data halls and different than in a meet-me room. WBT’s ODF hardware allows it to be used in high or low density environments and anything in between!

To find out more, please contact our sales team at sales@wbt.com.au to request a free copy of our technical discussion paper, which provides an overview of how to successfully deploy high density fibre optic infrastructure. An overview of the product set can also be found at https://wbnetworks.com.au/uhd-fibre-infrastructure-networks.