OFS has released a new technical resource white paper, authored by David Mazzarese, entitled Bend-Optimized Fiber FAQs. An abstract of the paper is as follows:
"As today's FTTx networks push optical fiber to single-family homes and multiple dwelling units, they require smaller distribution cabinets and compact fiber manangment systems, where fiber is subject to a greater degree of bending. These conditions have put more stringent demands than ever before on the bend performance of single-mode fibers.
However, the need to maintain a very high degree of mechanical reliability hasn't changed. An understanding of the design and performance of bend-optimized fiber will help the user make a more informed decision in specifying a fiber that can support tighter bends but still be very reliable."
Technical questions addressed by the document include:
What is "bend-optimized" fiber?
What’s the difference between macrobending and microbending?
For bend-sensitive applications, are there factors beyond bend optimization that must be considered?
Has the industry developed a new standard for bend-optimized single-mode fiber?