5G’s arrival heralds a new era, demanding an unprecedented proliferation of base stations to accommodate its higher frequency bands and ensure adequate coverage. By 2025, a staggering 6.5 million base stations are projected worldwide, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced optical cable performance and production capabilities.
While uncertainties persist regarding 5G network architectures and technical solutions, one certainty remains the indispensable role of fiber optic cables in the physical layer. These cables must not only satisfy current demands but also anticipate future requirements, serving as the backbone of 5G infrastructure.
In this dynamic landscape, innovation is paramount. Let’s explore five types of fiber optic cables that are poised to tackle the challenges confronting 5G networks, each offering unique solutions to propel us into the future.
1. Bend-insensitive Optical Cable: 5G Indoor Micro Base Station
Navigating the intricate web of fiber connections between expansive 5G macro base stations and their indoor micro counterparts presents a formidable challenge in constructing 5G access networks. The indoor fiber cabling environment, with its complexity and spatial constraints, necessitates exceptional bend performance from optical cables. Compliance with standards such as ITU G.657.A2/B2/B3 ensures superior bend resilience, enabling cables to be stapled and bent around corners without compromising performance.
Recognizing this need, numerous fiber manufacturers have introduced bend-insensitive fiber (BIF) cables with minimal signal loss, specifically tailored to tackle the demands of 5G indoor applications. What is Bend-Insensitive Fiber? This article will help you understand.
2. OM5 Fiber Used in 5G Core Network
As 5G service providers strive to deliver high-speed connectivity, attention must also be given to the fiber optic networks within data centers where content is stored. Currently, data center transmission speeds are transitioning from 10G/25G and 40G/100G to 25G/100G and 200G/400G, necessitating new requirements for multimode optical fibers used in interconnections within these facilities.
Multimode optical fibers must now meet several criteria: they must be compatible with existing Ethernet standards, and capable of accommodating future upgrades to higher speeds. Such as 400G and 800G, support multi-wavelength multiplexing technologies like SWDM and BiDi, and exhibit excellent bending resistance to adapt to the densely cabled environments typical of modern data centers.
In the realm of data center construction, the emergence of broadband OM5 fiber has ignited significant interest. OM5 fiber stands out due to its capability to support multiple wavelengths concurrently within the 850 nm to 950 nm range. Leveraging PAM4 modulation and WDM technology, OM5 optical fiber boasts impressive transmission capabilities, supporting distances of up to 150 meters for 100Gb/s, 200Gb/s, and 400Gb/s systems.
This versatility positions OM5 fiber as the prime candidate for intra-data center connections, particularly in the context of the burgeoning 5G environment. Its capacity to accommodate future short-distance and high-speed transmission networks solidifies its status as the optimal choice for facilitating seamless connectivity within data centers in the era of 5G.
3. Micron Diameter Fiber Enables Higher Fiber Density
In the intricate deployment landscapes of the access and aggregation layers within 5G bearer networks, challenges such as limited cable pipeline resources are commonplace. To maximize the capacity of these constrained spaces, cable manufacturers are diligently striving to shrink the size and diameter of cable bundles.
An exemplary advancement in this endeavor is the introduction of Prysmian Group’s BendBright XS 180µm single-mode fiber, tailored to meet the demands of 5G technology. This groundbreaking fiber optic cable empowers cable designers to significantly reduce cable dimensions while maintaining a glass diameter of 125µm.
By embracing micron-diameter fiber optic cables like the BendBright XS, the industry is poised to achieve higher fiber density, unlocking greater potential for efficient and robust 5G network deployments in even the most challenging environments.
In alignment with these principles, Corning has unveiled the SMF-28 Ultra 200 fiber, which enables fiber cable manufacturers to reduce previous cable coating thicknesses by 45 microns, shrinking from 245 microns to just 200 microns. This reduction results in a smaller overall outer diameter, enhancing efficiency and compactness in 5G network deployments.
Furthermore, YOFC, another prominent optical fiber manufacturer, offers the EasyBand plus-Mini 200μm reduced diameter bending insensitive fiber specifically designed for 5G networks. This innovative fiber solution slashes cable diameter by 50% compared to conventional optical fibers, significantly boosting fiber density within pipelines.
In the realm of 5G, fiber manufacturers are actively exploring ultra-low-loss (ULL) fiber optic cable technologies to maximize the reach of fiber connections. Among these innovations is the G.654.E optical cable, a notable advancement in 5G fiber technology. Unlike the commonly used G.652.D fiber for 10G, 25G, and 100G applications, the G.654.E fiber distinguishes itself with a larger effective area and ultra-low loss characteristics.
4. Large Effective Area ULL Fiber Can Extend the 5G Link Length
This unique combination allows the G.654.E fiber to significantly mitigate the nonlinear effects of optical fibers, thereby enhancing the Optical Signal-to-Noise Ratio (OSNR). This improvement is particularly crucial in connections utilizing higher signal modulation formats such as 200G and 400G, ensuring optimal performance and extending the link length capabilities of 5G networks.
With the continuous advancement of transmission speed and capacity in both the 5G core network and cloud-based data centers, there is an increasing demand for fiber optic cables capable of meeting these evolving requirements. The latest offering from Corning, the TXF fiber, which falls under the category of G.654.E fibers, is gaining prominence in this regard.
The Corning TXF fiber boasts high-data-rate capabilities and exceptional reach, making it an ideal solution for network operators grappling with burgeoning bandwidth demands while striving to lower overall network costs. Notably, recent collaborations between Infinera and Corning have demonstrated the potential of the TXF fiber, achieving 800G transmission across 800km. This achievement underscores the TXF fiber’s capability to provide robust long-haul transmission solutions for the deployment of 5G networks.
5. Special Optical Cables For Fast 5G Network Installation
In the realm of 5G network deployment, speed is of the essence, whether it’s indoors or outdoors. To expedite installation processes, specialty fiber cables have emerged as key solutions.
Full-dry optical cables, leveraging dry water-blocking technology, excel in speeding up fiber splicing during installation. These cables streamline the installation process and enhance efficiency, ensuring swift deployment of 5G networks.
Air-blown micro cables represent another innovation, offering compactness, lightweight construction, and high fiber density. Ideal for longer ducts with multiple bends and undulations, these cables maximize fiber count while facilitating quick and efficient installation through blowing methods. This not only saves manpower and installation time but also improves overall installation efficiency.
For outdoor fiber cable deployment, it’s imperative to use anti-rodent and anti-bird optical cables to protect against environmental threats. These specialized cables ensure the durability and reliability of outdoor installations, safeguarding the integrity of 5G networks against potential hazards.
Conclusion
Currently, fiber optic cable stands as the prime medium capable of meeting the demands of 5G networks. With their capacity for enhanced bandwidth, lower latency, and adaptability to complex outdoor deployments, optical cable manufacturers face both challenges and boundless opportunities.
To keep pace with the rapidly evolving landscape of 5G technology, optical networks must swiftly adapt to meet new demands. While existing optical fibers address many requirements, it remains to be seen whether 5G fiber manufacturers will introduce other innovative fiber solutions to the market promptly. In this dynamic environment, innovation is key to ensuring that optical networks remain at the forefront of supporting the ever-expanding capabilities and demands of 5G technology. If you need OM5 optical fiber, please feel free to consult sales@holightoptic.com~
