To meet the need for a new solution for fiber optic networks LightWave manufacturing has recently introduced the Chameleon Fiber Optic Solution.  The Chameleon is a complete fiber optic system that introduces a chassis design that is able to provide housing for multiple cassettes and adapter panels.

The Chameleon has a 144-fiber MTP cassette and will eventually have a 72-fiber MTP cassette.  Both are developed exclusively for the fiber/copper patching system.  To operate the 144-fiber MTP cassette two 72-fiber MTP connectors are plugged into the rear of the cassette and to operate the 72-fiber MTP cassette one 72-fiber MTP connector is plugged into the rear of the cassette.  The front of the cassette is comprised of 12-fiber feed-through MTP couplers used for patching (twelve for the 144-fiber cassette and six for the 72-fiber cassette).  Contained within the cassette are either two distinctive 72-fiber harnesses with two 72-fiber MTP connectors in the back, breaking out to twelve 12-fiber MTP connectors in the front for the 144-fiber cassette, or one distinctive 72-fiber harness with one 72-fiber MTP connector in the back breaking out to six 12-fiber MTP connectors in the front for the 72-fiber cassette.

Fiber optic systems are much more efficient than coaxial and copper mediums because there is far less loss of data. This can be attributed to the design of optical fibers and, more specifically, the principle of total internal reflection that they use. The cladding used in fiber optic systems also greatly increases the effectiveness of data transmission. Because of this innovation, coupled with the total internal reflection, there is no crosstalk between cables.

As the cost of materials continues to go down, fiber optic cabling is becoming more and more cost efficient. In some applications today, it is actually less expensive to use optical fibers than to use metal wire alternatives. Combine this with the fact that fiber optic systems need little or no maintenance or upgrading, and it is clear that fiber has already surpassed the cost parity with copper. Considering the higher performance, capacity, and efficiency that fiber technology holds over traditional wire systems, it is quite clear that fiber optics have a higher cost efficiency than metal alternatives.

Fiber optic systems are one of the safest forms of data transmission in terms of fire prevention. Metal wire forms of transmission can create sparks, causing shorts and in some cases, fire. Since optical fibers use light rather than electricity to carry signals, there is no chance of starting an electrical fire. This simple fact makes fiber optics an extremely safe form of wiring, especially when compared to more dangerous traditional wire alternatives.

Coaxial cables are known for their susceptibility to electromagnetic interference, which can cause them to become less effective. Fiber optics, on the other hand, is not affected by external electrical signals, since data is transmitted with light. Furthermore, fiber optic cables have a high electrical resistance, making them safe to use near high-voltage equipment. Fiber optics’ immunity to electromagnetic interference and high electrical resistance are just two more advantages over metal wire and coaxial systems.

One of the greatest benefits to using optical fiber is the capacity and speed of such a system. Obviously, light travels much faster than an electrical system (as with a metal wire system), thereby allowing faster reception and delivery of information. Light signals propagating in the fiber can be modulated at rates as high as 40 Gb/s. Also, fiber optic systems have a much higher capacity for bandwidth than more traditional systems, such as copper wire or coaxial cable.

Fiber optic technology would not be possible if it were not for the process known as total internal reflection. It is this process which guides the information, in the form of light, and allows it to be directed in the intended path of dispersal. Without total internal reflection, data would be lost or absorbed by external components and transmission of information in this method would not be possible. As the name implies, total internal reflection is a principle which completely surrounds the core of the optical fiber, thereby containing the signal within the core of the fiber.