FIBRE-OPTIC NETWORKING
11
By Jan Vandenbroeck, FTTH
Business Development Manager
at CommScope, the Broadband
Network Services Team
Jan Vandenbroeck ponders
which way to go – spliced or
pre-terminated?
Introduction
When network operators plan to deploy a next
generation fibre network, they must determine
how to build a flexible, reliable and long-lasting
infrastructure at the lowest possible cost. As such,
they need to make critical decisions. The most
important decision for network operators is whether
to use splices or connectors when creating junctions
or joints in the network. An access network generally
needs six times more connections than a typical long
distance network. This means that connectivity in
the next generation fibre access network is driving
the OPEX cost for the operator, especially in terms of
labour. Finding the right solution to make joints in the
network will be crucial for the operator to control total
cost of ownership.
Fusion Splicing
Fusion splicing technology has been used for joining
fibres since the seventies. Since then, it has been
adapted from core alignment to cladding alignment,
software has been added to simplify some of the
installation steps, and tools have been reduced in
weight and size, making them more compatible with
the specific needs of the access network.
A fusion splice is environmentally and mechanically
protected with a sleeve. For reconfiguration or testing
purposes, a technician will cut out this splice with its
sleeve and take the incoming and outgoing fibre out
of the organiser. Depending on the type of organiser,
it can require all other fibres in that tray to be taken
out with the risk of fibre breakage or transmission
issues in these lines. Each splice cut takes about four
centimetres of fibre away on both sides. Over the
lifetime of a network, that may be a limiting factor
or require longer lengths of fibre to be stored in an
organiser system.
The process of fibre organisation and fibre splicing
demands very specific skills. Making a splice goes
beyond pushing a button, especially for the fibre
preparation with removal and cleaning of coatings,
whereas cleaving is also very sensitive to tools and
skills. These skills can only be acquired by extensive
training and field experience. Moreover, the training
The process of fibre splicing demands very specific skills.
"Compatibility with the original hardened
connector can be guaranteed with a simple
converter. With pre-connectorised products,
the connection time is reduced from 20 to
less than five minutes."
needs to be continuous, because fibres, tools and
coatings are constantly changing.
During provisioning, the process also involves an
extra step to prepare the cable. Fibre access field
trials and deployments have shown that splicing a
fibre drop cable to a distribution fibre, ready to be
spliced, takes about 20 minutes if the tools are ready
for installation and not affected by humid