Incorporating Right Sized Solutions for Profitable Fiber Buildouts
June 10, 2010 - Chronicles for the Next Gen Network - Vol. IV
Miniaturization Promotes Faster, More Efficient FTTP Deployment
When is smaller better? Well, for many of us, it applies to things like electronics, mortgages, school class sizes, ATM fees, and cholesterol levels. In short, smaller is better when it makes our lives easier, simpler and, in this "on demand" culture we're living in, faster.
The advantage of miniaturization has also evolved within the telecom industry - and is particularly evident in fiber-to-the-premise (FTTP) solutions where space savings, cost effectiveness and installation times are critically important to service providers. From the central office (CO) to the customer premises, miniaturized solutions are enabling faster deployments, higher densities in smaller spaces, and reliability that surpasses even the most stringent performance requirements.
Miniaturized Connectors Are Key
Miniaturizing FTTP solutions begins with smaller, plug-and-play connectorized solutions. These solutions include, adapters, converters, terminals and pre-connectorized cables, all designed to improve installation speeds and improve cost efficiencies. A new class of miniature fiber-optic connectors is proving very beneficial for FTTP applications.
Beginning with the CO, pre-connectorized cables using multi-fiber connectors, or MT connectors, on small form cable containing reduced bend radius fiber are proving very advantageous. The smaller footprint of the MT connector allows higher density. Along with slack management features developed around reduced bend radius fibers, COs can easily manage excess cable to eliminate the need for customized lengths of pre-connected cable.
The smaller CO cabling solution is also technician-friendly and simplifies installation and maintenance. But the real advantages to a miniaturized FTTP solution lie in the outside plant (OSP) portion of the network. Hardened connectors designed for OSP applications have traditionally had several drawbacks, particularly in size and compatibility. Larger profiles were needed to provide adequate strength and sealing. Also, earlier generations of hardened connectors were not compatible with standard SC adapters.
Miniature Hardened OSP Connectors
New miniature hardened connectors are providing traditionally-accepted features and requirements, but in an innovative footprint that is compatible with existing infrastructures. FTTP architectures are notorious for presenting rigorous new challenges to even the savviest installer. These challenges typically deal with space, flexibility, compatibility and ways to minimize cost.
While there is no "one size fits all" solution when referring to FTTP architectures, there are some considerations and features to look for in the ultimate miniaturized FTTP solution. One key advantage is to seek a solution that requires smaller spaces and is less intrusive through use of smaller size components. Smaller components also allow greater flexibility through the use of smaller enclosures and mounts which are a necessity for taking fiber to homes in a variety of rural and urban settings. Finally, each solution component offers backward compatibility with existing hardened and non-hardened connector/adapter systems.
A miniature solution will enable the use of smaller closures and multiport service terminals (MSTs). The smaller MSTs allow installers more flexibility in choosing a pedestal, aerial or underground mount for terminating drop cables at the distribution end of the network.
Since miniaturized OSP connectors can fit through smaller holes, only the smallest entry points are required into the premises walls. This helps reduce overall construction and labor requirements for a fiber buildout to minimize cost. The connectors are also backward compatible with previous generations of hardened and non-hardened connector systems. In many buildings, little or no conduit space is available to run cable and telecom closet space for holding termination equipment is limited or non-existent. These barriers can result in additional construction and labor for modifications to accommodate fiber equipment. Service disruptions to residents could also occur as a result of excessive construction. Smaller, right-sized equipment ensures construction workers are in and out of the premises much more quickly and FTTP builds are completed faster and more efficiently.
When combined with reduced bend radius fibers, a complete end-to-end plug-and-play solution is provided from the MST to the optical network terminal (ONT) and into the customer premise or multi-dwelling unit (MDU). This solution offers significant ease of installation benefits, network simplicity, reduced cost, and easy troubleshooting and maintenance. It also allows faster service turn-up and the flexibility to deal with customer churn.
Miniaturized Solutions, Maximum Benefits
Every component of the miniaturized FTTP solution should maximize the benefit for the service provider. For instance, each miniaturized hardened connector should be compatible with any SC adapter to provide a low-loss optical connection. The connector must provide a water-tight seal and enable flexibility in choosing the appropriate cable for the FTTP application. Miniaturized adapters and converters must enable easy mating between mini-connectors and standard SC connectors, while ensuring protection from extreme weather conditions.
Pre-connectorized drop cables featuring miniature fiber connectors provide speedy deployment of OSP cabling networks. Their compact design allow installation in tighter conduit spaces and require less intrusive holes for routing into and through buildings. Using miniature connectors on drop cables enables the use of smaller enclosures and service terminals - providing the installer with greater flexibility in space-limited environments. Drop cables should also be ruggedly designed and hardened to protect from extreme temperatures, moisture and chemicals.
The new classes of mini-MSTs round out the ultimate miniaturized FTTP solution by requiring less space on poles, in hand-holes or inside pedestals. The mini-MSTs are factory terminated with using reduced bend radius fiber to ensure the highest performance within a smaller and tighter package. There should built-in flexibility in determining cable length and the number of ports needed to accommodate various application scenarios. Sealed, hardened enclosures are also necessary to provide environmental protection.
Each component of the miniaturized FTTP solution leverages the same plug-and-play features. This is particularly important when servicing MDUs where building owners want the installer in and out quickly.
Mini from End to End
With all the end-to-end advantages of miniaturizing an FTTP architecture, it's easy to see why the trend of "smaller is better" is catching on from the CO to the customer premises. Allowing higher densities within the CO provides space and cost savings as fiber quantities continue to increase with demand.
Miniaturizing the network from the MSTs to homes, MDUs and businesses creates unparalleled flexibility for the unique requirements of any FTTP application. Adapting the same plug-and-play characteristics for miniaturized solutions adds even more benefits with faster and easier installations. In the end, costs are significantly reduced, not just during the network buildout, but throughout the life of the network.
For more information on using miniaturized solutions in your next fiber deployment, visit www.adc.com.
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Considerations for Rural Deployments
Rural deployment scenarios present unique challenges for service providers. Typically, these communities are far from the CO or remote terminal. Service providers do not want to turn these customers over to competitors or deny service, so they need a strategy to deliver broadband to these customers as economically as possible.
For service providers, success will depend on selecting the right equipment to manage these rural subscriber connections. The question is: How do service providers plan for the future requirements of these rural communities?
Legacy fiber distribution hubs (FDH) are designed to manage hundreds of subscriber connections, and require a significant upfront investment. For turning up service in remote locations, service providers need a solution that addresses low density connections yet has enough flexibility to accommodate growth and changing technologies. Though a traditional FDH cabinet would solve this problem, it probably does not make sense economically. In a rural deployment scenario, service providers need to be careful about spending CAPEX on unnecessary infrastructure. On the other hand, they do not want to under invest in technology and risk not being able to deliver future services to these communities.
Fortunately, new outside plant technologies have emerged to help solve these rural deployment challenges. One such solution is the Hub in a Pedestal (HIP).
Unlike traditional FDH cabinets that serve hundreds of homes, the HIP is right sized for smaller communities of 12 to 96 homes. The HIP utilizes a compact pedestal design, and it can installed in the ground without the expense of a hand hole or concrete pad. Service providers also have the option of adding hardened drop connections directly from the pedestal – providing further upfront cost savings.
Though designed to meet lower cost business models, the HIP does not lack in features and technology. In fact, the HIP incorporates many components found in larger FDH solutions: swing frame access to distribution port, parking lot storage, full size splice trays, and plug-and-play splitters, to name a few. These solutions help to ensure service providers have the flexibility to accommodate the changing demands of these communities for years to come.
Another challenge for service providers is deploying to multiple dwelling units. For shopping malls, business complexes or apartment buildings located in remote environments, a larger FDH solution is often uneconomical.
In these scenarios, service providers can utilize a fiber wall box solution. Fiber wall boxes can serve up to 96 customer connections. For maximum space-savings, they are designed using a low-profile chassis for easy mounting inside or outside a building. Like larger FDH solutions, the wall box utilizes swing frame technology for convenient technician access to connectors. It also accommodates plug-and-play splitters, splices trays, and extra storage for slack cable. The pigtail output on the wall box solution can connect directly to an optical network terminal (ONT) for supporting MDU-ONT architectures.
Rural environments will continue to pose challenges for installers. Certainly, no one solution will fit all, but right sizing equipment with the proper flexibility, accessibility and scalability is the best strategy to avoid future problems.
ADC solutions such as the HIP and fiber wall box help support smaller and phased-in rural deployment strategies. For information on these and other rural deployment solutions, visit www.adc.com
For more information on incorporating "right sized" solutions in your network plans: Contact an ADC professional today at 800-366-3891 or visit www.adc.com.
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ADC provides the connections for wireline, wireless, cable, broadcast, and enterprise networks around the world. ADC's innovative network infrastructure equipment and professional services enable high-speed Internet, data, video, and voice services to residential, business and mobile subscribers. ADC (NASDAQ: ADCT) has sales into more than 130 countries. Learn more about ADC at www.adc.com. |
