Economical and efficient plug-and-play FTTP network structure

Multi-port Business terminal MST with factory prefabricated connectors and indoor optical cables are equipped with environment-resistant connectors and adapters in terminals, making it possible to build plug-and-play FTTX infrastructures, and plug-and-play structures can significantly save installation costs compared to traditional optical-fiber continuation methods.

Today, fibre to User (FTTP) network designers must build flexible and reliable network structures at the lowest possible cost. The emerging environment-resistant connector technology and multiport terminals (MSTs) are driving the development of plug-and-play configurations, while reducing long-term maintenance costs and ensuring long-lasting service life.

Plug-and-play architecture creates a more technically friendly system and does not require as many highly skilled workers as in the past to perform installation tasks on site, such as bonding and connecting to a household cable. Reducing the number of optical connection heads in a cabling network can make installation and maintenance easier and faster. Also, the MST facilitates maintenance and fault handling, and does not need to be dispatched to the customer's home by a continuous technician.

Each FTTP configuration has its own unique objective environment, so any FTTP solution needs to be carefully designed to take into account all aspects of network construction. However, plug-and-play architecture is a very cost-effective way to quickly and simply reflect the advantages of fiber to meet the growing bandwidth requirements. The plug-and-play structure reduces the number of fiber-continuation headers, reduces installation and maintenance costs by requiring fewer continuous technical workers and continuous staff to provide customer service.

Environment-resistant connectors are key

Without the great progress made in the recent years with environment-resistant connectors, a reliable and effective plug-and-play FTTX architecture is not possible. Environment-resistant connectors are specially designed and tested for outdoor (OSP) applications, with higher performance standards and improved manufacturing processes that reduce insertion loss and echo loss.

Environment-resistant fiber optic connectors are able to withstand harsh outdoor environments, providing the same reliability and performance as a weld network-and have the added advantage of reducing installation costs, increasing flexibility, and simplifying connectivity. Durable connector systems, made up of environment-resistant connectors and adapters, can withstand the harshest natural environments, including extreme temperatures, changes in humidity, ultraviolet radiation, chemical contact, and other harsh outdoor conditions.

The environment-resistant connectors are waterproof and can be installed on the outer surface of the junction box to provide a simple and feasible access point on the ground or underground installation. Each connector undergoes a series of complete tests to ensure high performance and reliability in outdoor applications.

The entire quality of these connectors is placed in a real-world environment that may be encountered in the course of network services, and each connector must conform to TELCORDIA standards, such as GR-326, GR-771, and GR3120, designed to test for enhanced and reliable environmental performance. The complete set of tests included the exposure of durable connectors to thermal aging, thermal cycling, wet aging, damp-heat cycling and subsequent thermal cycling environments.

Environment-resistant connectors must also undergo vibration testing and a complete set of mechanical stress tests, including bending, torsion, endurance, and transmission under a practical load. Other required tests include collision and pressure impedance to simulate the power of a sudden accident, as well as flooding and freezing-thawing tests. These various optical monitoring tests verify that the connector retains the required insertion loss and reflection performance in and after extreme exposure to harsh test environments.

Finally, in addition to service life testing, a complete set of reliability tests is required to ensure the longevity of the environment-resistant connector system. The test time is extended and placed under specific adverse conditions. The test results show that the environment-resistant connector products can withstand any outdoor environment test.

Plug-and-play solutions

Environment-resistant adapters are installed on the junction boxes of outdoor streets and in the Outdoor Optical Network terminals (ONT). Outdoor type of indoor cable used to connect the junction box and optical network terminals.

In-door cable at the factory has been assembled at both ends of the environment-resistant connectors. These cable jumpers have also been rigorously tested and tested prior to the factory to ensure that performance requirements are met. Each environment-resistant connector and adapter is protected by a protection cap before it is put into use.

When connecting, the protection cap needs to be removed so that the internal connector can be aligned to complete the connection. If the connector is connected to the adapter, a waterproof O-ring is used. With factory connectors to the door of the household cable without technical personnel on-site installation of optical cable, do not need to carry out on-site optical fiber, not equipped with skilled technicians.

In addition, the environment-resistant connectors adopt simple cleaning technology, making the maintenance of the network easy and convenient. To clean the connectors and adapters, simply remove the dust caps to reveal the internal optical components. Then, use the standard cleaning brush to clean the adapter and clean the connector with a dust-free wipe cloth.

Finally, the connector is inserted on the slot on the quasi-adapter to ensure that the connector is accurately aligned to the optical port. Although this approach may seem simple, it provides a critical way to ensure reliable connection and installation speed when installing connectors to an environment-resistant adapter.

Multi-port Service terminal

One of the most important elements in an economically efficient plug-and-play FTTX network structure is the MST, which is typically located between outdoor cable wiring boxes (FDH) and users. The environment-resistant MST sub-box has been carried out before the factory, with tail cable and environment-resistant adapter on the outer surface. These parts are specially designed for outdoor environments, installed in a hand hole or base, assembled on a telephone pole or overhead cable, or directly fixed on any convenient plane.

The MST can be connected to the network by fusing the tail cable onto the main wiring cable. The weld process can be completed without having to connect to the junction box. A variety of assembly methods can be adapted to any installation process, and the MST is designed to withstand direct exposure to extreme temperatures and humidity. They also have a high degree of water resistance, resistance to chemicals and corrosion resistance.

MST optical ports are environmentally friendly connectors, and each port is equipped with a dust cap to prevent dust and moisture from entering. The MST has multiple configurations of 2, 4, 6, 8, or 12 ports, and accept the environment-resistant connector end of the household fiber optic cable, the MST with the factory prefabricated connectors of the tail cable eliminates the need for welding, even if not very skilled technicians can also be on-site installation, again save the installation costs, accelerate the service cycle.

Multi-port Business terminal MST with factory connectors and cable terminals are equipped with environment-resistant connectors and adapters, making it possible to build plug-and-play FTTX infrastructures, which can significantly save installation costs compared to traditional methods of continuity. Although additional business terminals may be required to generate extra costs, the resulting savings in cable, cable layout and continuation costs far outweigh the cost of increasing terminals.