AFL Launches New Interconnect Premise MicroCore® Cable

AFL Telecommunications announces the release of its new Interconnect Premise MicroCore Fiber Optic Cable, designed to support multiple channels at the highest data rates within a small footprint. In order to avoid issues that rise with preferential bend radius present in premise ribbon cable, the cable’s diameter was minimized, using multiple colored 250µm fibers and aramid strands. Packaged in a high performance PVC jacket, AFL’s Interconnect Premise MicroCore is suitable for mass terminations utilizing both MT and MP style connectors.

Available in both simplex and zipcord designs with fiber counts from eight to 24, the interconnect cable is ideal for building interconnections, data center and central offices, meeting the interconnect standards of Telcordia GR-409 and are compliant to Directive 2002/95/EC (RoHS). Additionally, this cable design is available with OM3 and OM4 grade 50µm MM Laser-Optimized fibers for maximum performance of Ethernet architectures. OM3 grade 50µm MM supports 300m link distances for 10G Ethernet, while selection of OM4 grade 50µm MM can extend these link distances to 550m. For additional information, visit www.AFLtele.com.

AFL Launches New Mass Transit Fiber Optic Cable

AFL Telecommunications announces the introduction of its new Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH) Loose Tube Cable with Thermoset Jacket for mass transit applications. Consisting of a thermoset jacket, the low-smoke zero-halogen loose tube cable is specifically designed for harsh environments. The cable design includes a dry-core water blocking system, SZ-stranded core for easy mid-span access and a flame retardant, highly chemical resistant, cross-linked UV resistant outer jacket.

The Mass Transit cable is suitable for subway tunnels, railway right-of-ways, mining, airport terminals, confined space pathways and steam tunnels. Available in fiber counts up to 60 in single-mode or multimode. The cable is listed to NEC OFNG-LS and suitable for outdoor and indoor installations.

The new cable will be showcased at the BICSI Winter Conference being held in Orlando, January 17 – 21. Stop by booth #1111 to view a sample and pick up additional information. For more detail on this product and other fiber optic cables and accessories, visit www.AFLtele.com.

AFL Introduces Integrated LDF Cleaving and Splicing Capabilities and Improved NYFORS Cleaver Technology

AFL Telecommunications will demonstrate enhanced capabilities for LDF splicing and cleaving during Photonics West 2010 being held in San Francisco beginning January 26.

The upgraded Fujikura FSM-45PM-LDF-2 and the FSM-45F-LDF splicers have been enhanced with a new dual-position fiber holder system, providing improved performance for LDF fibers. The original inner fiber holder position is retained and essentially unchanged from previous 45-series splicers and offers exactly the same handling capabilities as before. This position is ideal for splicing standard size fibers, and even LDF fibers up to a 250µm cladding diameter. A new outboard fiber holder position on both splicers offers better alignment capabilities for larger LDF fibers such as 400µm clad LMA fibers by positioning the Fujikura fiber holder further away from the splicer V-grooves. In conjunction with a reduced fiber holder incident angle relative to the splicer V-grooves (or a zero-degree fiber holder angle in the case of the FSM-45F-LDF), this greatly reduces the possibility of exciting higher order modes at the splice point.

In order to provide user-friendly fiber preparation and splicing capabilities for LDF splicing, the NYFORS AutoCleaverLDF has been modified with a new fiber holder mounting rail that also provides dual fiber holder mounting positions for Fujikura fiber holders to match those of the Fujikura FSM-45PM-LDF-2 and FSM-45F-LDF splicers. Therefore, as fiber lasers transition into higher volume production, the Fujikura splicer and NYFORS cleavers provide an ergonomic and integrated system with seamless fiber preparation and transfer into the splicer. Both the NYFORS AutoCleaverLDF and the Fujikura FSM-45F-LDF also incorporate a third outer mounting position for NYFORS fiber holders. This is useful for extra-large diameter fibers such as fibers with cladding diameters greater than 500µm.

An improved and enhanced version of the NYFORS AutoCleaverLDF will be introduced at Photonics West that not only includes the new dual-fiber holder mounting rail, but other improvements as well. The automatic scrap collector has been modified for greatly improved performance with LDF fiber. An air bottle attachment has been developed to allow NYFORS cleaver use without connection to shop-air, thereby enhancing portability and utility in lab environments.

A new angled cleaving version of the NYFORS AutoCleaverLDF will be introduced at Photonics West. This cleaver retains standard cleaving capability and complete compatibility with the Fujikura splicers including the dual positions for Fujikura fiber holders. The new angled cleaving attachment can be retrofitted to any NYFORS AutoCleaverLDF.

AFL will also introduce and demonstrate the new NYFORS CleaveMeter MP1, an automated interferometer utilized in support of NYFORS AutoCleaver models to analyze cleave angles and cleave quality. Useful to fine tune cleaver settings for various fiber diameters and fiber types, the CleaveMeter MP1 completes and compliments the Fujikura/NYFORS LDF cleaving and splicing system. A dramatic improvement over the previous model, the CleaveMeter MP1 utilizes a 1.3 mega pixel camera in conjunction with 2X digital zoom to provide accurate and detailed fiber end image analysis for both large diameter fibers and 125µm. The new PC-based graphic user interface is easy to use, providing automated image analysis and determination of the cleave angle as well as data collection capability. The CleaveMeter MP1 connects to a PC with a standard USB cable.

To see demonstrations of NYFORS products and Fujikura fusion splicers, visit AFL Telecommunications at Photonics West 2010, booth #4518. For additional information, visit www.AFLtele.com.

AFL Launches Keyed Housing for LC FuseConnect™ Fusion Splice Field Connector

AFL Telecommunicatons is launching a keyed housing for the LC FuseConnect fusion splice connector, the latest addition to its family of FuseConnect products. Featuring just four components, the keyed LC housing utilizes the current FuseConnect LC design feature, swapping the standard LC housing with the keyed housing. With the keyed housing, this product provides a secure network solution, suitable for backbone network infrastructure and Fiber-to-the-Desk.

The keyed LC housing is available in six different keying configurations, each with its own color designation. The physical keying feature inside the housing is designed to be compatible only with the same keyed color adapter configurations. Both LC keyed housings and adapters are designed to be tamper proof, prevent unauthorized connections and will not connect with generic LC connectors or adapters.

AFL’s FuseConnect fusion-splice field-terminated connector family is uniquely designed and easy to use. With a factory pre-terminated end-face, its innovative field termination process eliminates the need for polishing, adhesives and crimping in the field. The FuseConnect utilizes a fusion splicer to terminate the connector, addressing return loss concerns present in analog optical networks. This advanced process yields true APC performance of >65dB return loss in an APC configuration. Designed to work with a 10mm cleave length and with splicers that utilize a fiber holder system, FuseConnect is compatible not only with Fujikura’s fusion splicers, but also with other industry-available fiber holder-based fusion splicing platforms.

The four-component structure of FuseConnect eliminates the complexity associated with additional crimp ring parts, thereby virtually eliminating the crimping operation. The simplified field installation minimizes the potential for operator error and expensive connector scrap, even in difficult field environments or in exposed conditions at remote site locations.

Available in single-mode or multimode (62.5µm, 50µm, and 50µm 10GIG (OM3)), the connector is designed to meet or exceed TIA/EIA 568C.3 and TIA/EIA-604-10A (FOCIS 10) requirements. For additional information, visit www.AFLtele.com.

Settlement Agreement Regarding Lawsuit over Trademark Issue on Fujikura Fusion Splicers

Fujikura Ltd., one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high quality fiber optic products, announces that Fujikura and Vibrant Technologies, Inc. have come to a settlement on December 28, 2009, regarding the lawsuit that Fujikura files against Vibrant Technologies in the New Hampshire federal court.

Under the settlement, Vibrant has agreed to stop selling Fujikura fusion splicers that Fujikura asserted were modified from their original manufactured condition.

Financial and other terms of the settlement agreement have not been disclosed due to the confidentiality agreements between the parties.