TECHNOLOGY > ETHERNET OVER PLASTIC OPTICAL FIBRE
Ethernet over Plastic Optical Fibre uses optical wave guiding to transmit data between devices.
EoPOF meets the fast Ethernet standard of 100 Mbps and has a reach of up to 100 metres, meeting the demands of most factory and commercial building networks, home networking and automation services.
POF cable is generally made from a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) core of 980um, as opposed to a glass optical fibre core of 50um. The large POF core lowers the degree of accuracy required to align the connecting fibres, making installation faster and easier than glass fibre optics.
With a fluoropolymer cladding, POF cables are durable, thin and flexible (2.2mm x 4.4mm), making installation an easier process in tight places or congested cable ducts.
Being plastic, termination of EoPOF cables can be done with a pair of scissors, avoiding both the complexity of terminating copper cables, and the lengthy process required to polish glass optical fibre. The fibre’s wide diameter also means that the cable will work even if the ends are slightly damaged or dirty.
The undeniable advantage that Ethernet over Plastic Optical Fibre has over traditional copper cabling is its electrical immunity.
Today’s factories, homes and offices are filled with electrical devices and wireless communications, all emitting radiation and creating electromagnetic interference. This noise and crosstalk corrupts the reliability of data transfer, voice and picture quality.
Because EoPOF does not use electrical signals to transmit data, and because of its plastic form, EoPOF networks are immune to electromagnetic interference. This enables EoPOF networks to provide a greater quality of service for video, voice and data streaming.
The cost of POF cable is much cheaper than glass optical fibre, and is comparable to Twisted Pair. But more than this, POF promises faster and safer installation measures, lower shipping costs for a lighter weight product, and the ability to implement space-saving design for cabling ducts.
With these advantages and more, Ethernet over Plastic Optical Fibre is not only a smart infrastructure investment, but also a cost effective business measure.
Ethernet over Plastic Optical Fibre:
See the world of networking in a whole new light.
Advantages of EoPOF over glass optical fibre:
Fast installation: |
POF can be easily pulled through congested or small cable ducts |
| Easy termination: | No polishing or specialist machinery is required to terminate |
| Low cost: | POF is available at a fraction of the cost of glass optical fibre |
| Robust: | POF cable is more durable and flexible than glass, with half the bend radius |
| Simple, safe connection test: | A 650nm red LED, safe to the naked eye, is a visual cue for a connected device |
Advantages of EOPOF over Twisted Pair:
| Electrical immunity: | POF is immune to electromagnetic interference, crosstalk and noise |
Electrical isolation: |
Networking devices are electrically isolated |
Space-saving: |
POF cable diameter is approximately 50% less than TP, perfect for where space is at a premium |
Lightweight: |
POF is approximately 4 times lighter than Cat5e, saving in shipping costs |
Fast termination: |
Termination can be done with a pair of scissors |
Robust: |
POF withstands greater vibration |
Easy installation: |
Can be placed next to power sources |
Simple connection test: |
A 650nm LED light source is a visual cue for a connected device |
Greater security: |
POF cable is difficult to tap without being detected |
Zero radiation: |
No generation of electromagnetic radiation |
Quality of service: |
Particularly for high demand triple play services of video, data and voice streaming |
Greater installation opportunities: |
POF can be installed in new building connections where TP is not possible due to existing infrastructure constraints |
References:
Mike Jones, start: Running Ethernet over plastic optical fiber, July 2007.
Dr Michael O’Gorman and Josef Faller, Simply POF: High-end connectivity with 1394/Ethernet over Plastic Optical Fiber.
