CommScope expands NGF series with new frame, enhanced high-density fiber block
CommScope has significantly enhanced its Next Generation Frame (NGF) portfolio by introducing its Enhanced High Density NGF, designed to help data center owners and operators plan and deploy fiber systems for more bandwidth. The company says the new frame’s increased fiber density blocks allow technicians to seamlessly add fiber terminations, without requiring significant changes to the data center layout, while conserving floor space.
At 7 feet tall and 24 inches deep, the new frame can be installed directly next to existing traditional 30-inch wide NGF frames. The frame’s preterminated fiber blocks eliminate the need to individually plug in hundreds of connectors at the rear of the panel, thus replacing a large number of installation steps. Installers plug preterminated MPO assemblies directly into the frame’s rear-located modules, which distribute trunk fibers into 10G or 40G channels at the front. All prepopulated blocks are factory-tested, assembled, and packaged to provide maximum craft-friendliness. Preterminated blocks with cable stubs are also available.
Via exceptional fiber density with improved front and rear connector access, the Enhanced High Density NGF and preloaded fiber blocks are optimized to support rapid and cost-effective deployment, notes CommScope. Other key platform features include: simplified patching and ample cable management provisions; blocks available in 288 count, LC-MPO and 288 count LC-stub versions, with singlemode blocks available in 10-, 40- and 100G formats; assured performance, as each module is pretested in the factory, and test data is traceable via a barcode to a test database; packaging that protects the connectorized blocks and speeds “bolt-in” installation; and modules clearly marked for simplified labeling and documentation.
“Network managers need rapid deployment and space efficiency to cope with the accelerated need for bandwidth due to increased mobile traffic, Big Data demands, and other factors,” says Jaxon Lang, general manager and vice president of broadband network solutions for Central and North America, CommScope. “Our Enhanced High Density NGF system promotes speed and efficiency by delivering outstanding density and flexibility.”
Comcast deploys 100-Gigabit Ethernet back end infrastructure for NBA’s Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings recently announced that the NBA team’s Golden 1 Center will rank among the world’s most connected indoor sports and entertainment venues as the result of a new multi-year agreement with Comcast Corporation.
According to a press release, “Comcast Business, the business services unit of Comcast, will deliver a connectivity platform with unparalleled bandwidth [to the venue] by installing fully redundant transport facilities and two, 100-Gigabit Ethernet dedicated Internet circuits. The services will provide the back end infrastructure enabling the team to provide free WiFi for fans, power the Kings mobile app, and supply cloud-based voice and unified communications services for team members at the arena and at the team’s corporate offices. As a result, the Internet connection at Golden 1 Center, as well as the public plaza and Downtown Commons (DOCO), will be over 17,000 times faster than the average home Internet connection, with the ability to handle more than 225,000 Instagram photo posts per second.”
In addition, Comcast Business will provide the in-house video feed to all television monitors throughout Golden 1 Center, allowing patrons to access ancillary programming while attending concerts and other events at the arena. The new agreement continues an existing partnership that includes a long-term broadcast partnership with Comcast SportsNet California, the exclusive local television home of Sacramento Kings basketball, which airs nearly 500 hours of Kings-related programming each year, including 80 2015-16 regular-season games.
“We’re pleased to extend Comcast’s ever-evolving partnership with the Sacramento Kings and honored that Comcast Business will allow the fervent fans at Golden 1 Center to experience a live event in innovative and exciting ways, from ubiquitous WiFi to advanced mobile applications and rich video content,” said Comcast’s regional vice president of business services for California, Ted Girdner. “This agreement is representative of how Comcast can deliver reliable, high-capacity Internet connectivity for fans, media and arena team members while supporting various multimedia initiatives by deploying our full suite of consumer and business products.”
“The best fans in the world deserve the most connected arena in the world,” adds Kings president Chris Granger. “Our partnership with Comcast enables fans and visitors to share their experiences and connect online seamlessly. It also ensures that Golden 1 Center, the public plaza and DOCO’s connectivity will remain well above industry standards, even as consumer technology improves.”
AFL receives 5 new patents for fiber-optic cable, fusion splicing technologies
AFL has been awarded five patents for new technologies used in the enhancement of the company’s optical connectivity and apparatus (OCA), fiber-optic cable and fusion splicing products.
Patrick Dobbins, AFL’s director of products and applications engineering, received a patent for a new technology for all-dielectric self-supporting (ADSS) fiber-optic cable. By using a more traditional lower cost polyethylene outer jacket material with a co-extruded, semi-conducting, longitudinal strip, the same or better resistance to the electoral stress mechanism (i.e., tracking or dry band arcing) is achieved.
Wenxin Zheng, engineering director for AFL’s fusion splicing systems, was the recipient of a patent for an “Apparatus and Method for Arc Calibration of Fusion Splicers,” a feature developed by both AFL and Fujikura that have been incorporated into Fujikura factory fusion splicers. The technology allows for several production fusion splicers using the same program to attain consistent results from machine to machine. By using this method to establish a machine calibration for large diameter fibers (> 250 μm), each machine’s program is adjusted via this calibration method. Once calibrated using the Special Arc Calibration Method, each machine produces the same results with the same fiber.
AFL’s OCA business unit also received three new patents.
Roger Vaughn, product technology manager and Edward Morris, product development engineer, received a design patent for a new network interface device (NID).
The team of Chris Donaldson, Lou Guzzo, Matthew Johnston, Eddie Kimbrell, Ted Lichoulas, Run Ron, and Chuck Turner received a patent for a “Fiber Optic Cable Management Module and Panel.” Known as the Xpress Fiber Management High Density (XFM-HD) products, this product line supports the management of fiber densities up to 576 in a traditional four rack unit (4RU) space.
Lastly, AFL’s OCA business unit received a patent for the arrangement of an interface module within a NID. The new design enables filter and balun connectivity within a single NID line space.
High-visibility tools for cabling and wireless installers
Klein Tools has expanded its line of high-visibility (Hi-Viz) tools to include three new driver products. The Hi-Viz drivers feature Klein’s exclusive glow-in-the-dark handles to easily locate tools in the dark or dimly lit places.
The company says its Hi-Viz tools are designed to help technicians find their tools in low or no-light environments such as ceilings, walls, closets, attics, basements, etc. The handles charge in either natural or artificial light, creating a bright glow that lasts over 30 minutes. The new chrome-finished Hi-Viz drivers also come with the company’s Cushion-Grip handle for better torque and less fatigue.
Newly available models in the product line include Klein’s: Hi-Viz #2 Phillips Screwdriver (Cat. No. 603-4GLW); Hi-Viz ¼” (6 mm) Cabinet-Tip Screwdriver (Cat. No. 605-4GLW); and Hi-Viz 6-in-1 Multi-Bit Screwdriver/Nut Driver (Cat. No. 32451GLW).
Other Klein Tools products available with high-visibility handles include the: Hi-Viz Side-Cutting Pliers - High Leverage (Cat. No. D20009NEGLW); Hi-Viz Diagonal-Cutting Pliers - High Leverage (Cat. No. D200028GLW); Hi-Viz Diagonal-Cutting Pliers - Angled-Head High Leverage (Cat. No. D248-8-GLW); Hi-Viz Long-Nose Pliers - Heavy Duty Side-Cutting (Cat. No. D203-8-GLW); and Hi-Viz Wire Stripper/Cutter (Cat. No. 11054GLW).
“Tradespeople often work on job sites that lack electricity or proper lighting which lead to lost tools that not only slow down the job and cause potential hazards but, can be very costly to replace,” comments Raul Rosales, senior product manager at Klein Tools. “With high visibility tools, they can find their tool immediately without fumbling in a bag or in the dark, eliminating lost tools and lost time while increasing safety.”