Download BANDIT III Reference: The Fiber Optic Card

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Version A, January 2013
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The Fiber Optic Card
T
his document discusses use of a Fiber Optic Card in the BANDIT III™, for connection to a
fiber optic network. See the following:
• Fiber Optic Networks
• Optical Fiber
• The BANDIT's Fiber Optic Hardware
• Installing and Configuring the Fiber Optic Card
• Fiber Optic Statistics
Note: To use the fiber optic card, see Installing and Configuring the Fiber Optic Card.
4.1
Fiber Optic Networks
Fiber optic networks use light to carry data. A small form-factor pluggable (SFP) transceiver
(combination transmitter–receiver) in a Fiber Optic Port receives electronic data and uses a lightemitting diode (LED) or a laser to generate light pulses to carry the data. The SFP transmits the
light pulses over optical fiber. Each SFP also receives light pulses and converts them to electronic
data.
Each SFP at each end of a fiber optic connection receives and transmits data sent via light pulses.
Each SFP also converts data between electronic, LED, and laser transport.
Glass or plastic fibers carry the light pulses across the fiber optic network. Light moves through
the fibers by means of internal reflection.
4.2
Optical Fiber
Optical fiber can be employed in many situations. This discussion focuses on its use for data
transmission in telecommunication.
Optical fiber is useful for long distances—for example, in undersea cabling—and for high-speed
communication through networks that span a campus. In such situations, copper wire would
require too many repeaters or signal boosters, would not be resistant to signal degradation, and
usually would not be used at the same high speeds.
For information on trademarks, safety, limitations
of liability, and similar topics, see Notices.
Home Module: BANDIT III Reference
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BANDIT III Reference Module, Document 4
In addition, copper wire is subject to electromagnetic interference and crosstalk, concerns
that do not exist for optical fiber. Copper wire also is vulnerable to listening or “tapping,” a
practice that is difficult to achieve against optical fiber and that is immediately detectable if
successful in an optical connection.
Advantages of optical fiber include the following:
• Fast; light pulses can travel at high speeds (155 Mbps)
• Large bandwidth; light pulses can carry high capacity
• Low signal loss; pulses travel many kilometers without degradation:
- Single mode supports transmission up to 100 kilometers without degradation and
without boost.
- Multimode supports transmission up to 2 kilometers without degradation or boost.
• Does not generate electromagnetic emissions, because it carries light pulses:
- No leakage of current or signal; no electromagnetic interference (EMI) to disturb
electronic media
- High security: Fiber-optic transmissions are difficult to intercept. Secure connection,
even without encryption, because fiber optic transmissions are resistant to EMI.
Note: Cannot use radio equipment to listen because light is in a different part of the
spectrum. If someone taps the line, it has to be a physical tap and the signal will
degrade by half. So you will notice it immediately.
• Fiber optic transmissions do not generate sparks or heat, so fiber optic cables can be used
in areas where there are explosive gases.
• Immunity to electromagnetic noise and crosstalk:
- Clear signals. Because optical fiber is not affected by EMI, it can be installed in highEMI areas such as power and utility lines, railroad tracks, factories, etc.
- It is also not as prone to lightning strikes as copper wire is.
The cable is heavily insulated to protect the fiber.
Mode and fiber are determined by the distances needed for transmission within the network
and outside the network.
• Multimode fiber carries several light waves simultaneously over each fiber. It is used for
high capacity for distances up to 2 kilometers.
• Single-mode fiber carries only one lightwave at a time. It is used for high capacity over
long distances.
4.3
The BANDIT's Fiber Optic Hardware
See the following:
• The BANDIT’s Fiber Optic Card
• SFPs for the Fiber Optic Card
• Specifications for the Fiber Optic Card
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The Fiber Optic Card
4.3.1
The BANDIT’s Fiber Optic Card
Figure 3-1 illustrates the BANDIT's Fiber Optic card.
Figure 4-1. BANDIT's Fiber Optic Card
Figure 3-2 shows the Fiber Optic Card installed in a BANDIT III chassis.
Figure 4-2. Rear of BANDIT III Expanded Model, with Fiber Optic Card Installed
The fiber optic card can support one or two small form-factor pluggable transceivers (SFPs)
for fiber optic communication. The SFPs can be installed and removed without turning off
the BANDIT's power. Each SFP converts data between electric/electronic, LED, and laser
transport media.
The SFP ports in the BANDIT III's Fiber Optic Card support 100Base-FX Ethernet over
SONET or SDH.
100Base-FX can use SC connectors, ST connectors, or MIC connectors.
4.3.2
SFPs for the Fiber Optic Card
The BANDIT III’s Fiber Optic Card has two small form-factor pluggable transceiver (SFP
transceiver) ports. Each port can hold one SFP. You can install any of several compatible SFPs
in the BANDIT's Fiber Optic Card to fit the needs of your network.
The SFPs in the card can be the same type or different types.
SFP ports used in the BANDIT III's Fiber Optic Card must support 100Base-FX Ethernet over
SONET or SDH. Speeds up to 200 Mbps are supported.
Note: Speeds at 1 Gbps (also called gigabit Ethernet) are not supported.
!
Caution: Make sure the total voltage used by the SFPs does not exceed the voltage
supported by the BANDIT's Fiber Optic Card.
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BANDIT III Reference Module, Document 4
Any of hundreds of SFPs can be used in the BANDIT’s Fiber Optic Ports. As examples of
speeds supported, Encore Networks, Inc., recommends the following SFPs:
• Finisar FTLF1323P1xTR: ROHS-compliant, multimode, 155 Mbps bidirectional, laser,
1310 nm, 3.3 volts, operating temperature range -40°C to 85°C
• Finisar FTLF1523P1xTL: ROHS-compliant, multimode, 155 Mbps bidirectional, laser,
1550 nm, 3.3 volts, operating temperature range -40°C to 85°C
4.3.3
Specifications for the Fiber Optic Card
The BANDIT's Fiber Optic Card provides the interface between electronic data and optical
data. Its principal application is to support Ethernet transmissions at fiber optic speeds. The
card supports two 100Base-FX modules (SFPs), which translate the electronic information
into light pulses for travel over optical fiber.
Table 4-1 lists the specifications for the BANDIT III’s Fiber Optic Card.
Table 4-1. Specifications for the BANDIT III's Fiber Optic Card
Specification
Card dimensions (L × W × H)
Card weight
Operating temperature
Storage temperature
Card's power supply's maximum
voltage
Number of SFP ports per Fiber Optic
Card
SFPs supported
Value
3.94 in. × 2.76 in. × 0.59 in.
(10.0 cm × 7.0 cm × 1.5 cm)
0.08 lb. (36.29 g)
-40°F to 185°F (-40°C to 85°C)
-40°F to 185°F (-40°C to 85°C)
3.3 VDC
Two ports
Single-mode for 20 km, 40 km, or 80 km;
Multimode for 2 km