Interrelation Profile Analysis Method for Alignment of Polarization-Maintaining Fiber

AFL White Paper By –

Wenxin Zheng, Doug Duke, Toshiki Kubo, and Bryan Malinsky

Abstract

A new method for alignment of polarization-maintaining (PM) fibers has been developed that solves alignment problems with low-contrast PM fibers. It provides a fast and accurate universal method for PM fiber alignment.

Contact AFL for a copy of the White Paper:  http://www.aflglobal.com/Resources/White-Papers.aspx

MEMS and sensors suppliers Collaboration, May 10-11 at Stanford University (Stanford, Calif.)

MEMS & Sensors Industry Group Tackles Technical Challenges at Annual Technical Congress

MEMS and sensors suppliers thrive through collaboration, May 10-11 at Stanford University (Stanford, Calif.)

PITTSBURGH -- (March 20, 2017) -- Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and sensors suppliers are targeting a rapidly growing global market for their devices, key components that increase the intelligence and interactivity of billions of electronic products. Despite this unprecedented growth, suppliers face shared technical challenges that limit expansion, including energy and power management, security, integration, and machine learning. MEMS & Sensors Industry Group’s (MSIG’s) 2017 MEMS & Sensors Technical Congress® (MSTC), to be held on May 10-11, 2017 on the campus of Stanford University, offers attendees a collaborative approach to resolving these shared technical challenges.

“The size, diversity and growth of MEMS and sensors markets is exploding,” said Karen Lightman, vice president, MEMS & Sensors Industry Group, SEMI. “To succeed in these large, increasingly challenging and fast-moving markets, MEMS and sensors suppliers need to work together, delving deeper into the issues and possible solutions of their shared challenges. MSTC 2017 gives suppliers a forum for freely exchanging information with peers through breakout sessions. It also gives them access to some of the top technical minds in the industry, including our two keynote speakers: Scott Borg, director and chief economist of U.S. Cyber Consequences Unit, and Chris Ré, assistant professor, Department of Computer Science, Stanford University.”

Borg will discuss how economics is driving both the deployment of MEMS and sensors and their exploitation by attackers. “As MEMS and sensors enable the Internet of Things, building cyber security into them is going to be critical,” said Borg. “Letting cyber attackers take control of these increasingly ubiquitous devices could result in chaotic and even dangerous situations. Individual home appliances, for example, that do not seem to pose a threat, taken one by one, could present a serious risk if a cyber attacker could manipulate millions of them at once. Because cyber attacks can be carried out on vast numbers of targets simultaneously, this is a real possibility.”

Ré will share new approaches to improving machine learning systems -- which are indispensable to applications such as voice recognition, image search and natural language processing. “Developing machine learning systems is typically a laborious process, hampered by large training sets that require hand-labeled data,” said Ré. “We are employing new techniques that overcome a major bottleneck to developing machine learning systems, making the building of these systems easier for an increasingly larger set of people.”

Featured presenters from AMFitzgerald, Coventor, Excelitas Technologies, Plasma-Therm, Silicon Microgravity, Si-Ware Systems, Stanford University, STMicroelectronics and Tohoku University will address topics spanning integration, easier customization, manufacturing, material analysis, high-performance micromirror arrays, and smart sensors for robotics.

A panel of industry and academic experts will explore Academic and Commercial Perspectives on Capturing Value from MEMS and Sensors.

Breakout sessions will include:

·  Technology Transfer for Dummies (How to Get to a Stable High-yielding Process)

·     Back-end Challenges of MEMS and Sensors (Packaging, Testing & Reliability)

·    Integration Opportunities (Technological & Business Considerations)

·     Emerging MEMS, Sensors and Systems Incorporating Them

· Piezoelectric and Other Emerging Materials for MEMS and Sensor Applications

For the complete agenda of the 2017 MEMS & Sensors Technical Conference, visit: http://www.semi.org/en/node/116216

For More Information and Registration

MEMS & Sensors Technical Congress will take place May 10-11, 2017 at Stanford University, Bechtel Conference Center in Stanford, Calif.  Sponsors include NXP and X-FAB.

MSIG/SEMI members receive a discount, with additional early-bird pricing for members and non-members through March 28, 2017. Register via: https://ams.semi.org/ebusiness/Meetings/Meeting.aspx?Id=3977 or contact MSIG at info@memsindustrygroup.org  for more information.

About MEMS & Sensors Industry Group

MEMS & Sensors Industry Group (MSIG), a SEMI Strategic Association Partner, advances MEMS and sensors across global markets. MSIG advocates for near-term commercialization of MEMS/sensors-based products through a wide range of activities, including conferences, technical working groups and industry advocacy. As a SEMI Strategic Association Partner, MSIG now reaches a global membership of more than 1,900 companies and industry partners. For more information, visit: www.memsindustrygroup.org and follow MSIG on LinkedIn and Twitter (use @MEMSGroup).

MEMS & Sensors Industry Group and the MEMS & Sensors Industry Group logo are trademarks of SEMI. All other product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

10-Year Fiber Optic Connector Market Forecast

According to ElectroniCast, the worldwide fiber optic connector/mechanical splice consumption value reached $3.82 billion in 2016…

Aptos, CA (USA) – March 16, 2017 -- ElectroniCast Consultants, a leading market & technology forecast consultancy addressing the fiber optics communications industry, today announced the release of their annual market forecast and analysis of the use of fiber optic connectors and mechanical splices in communication applications.  This study is based on analysis of information obtained continually for over 30-yearts, and updated through the middle of March of 2017.

According to ElectroniCast, the worldwide fiber optic connector/mechanical splice consumption value reached $3.82 billion in 2016.  Multimode connector use is forecast to grow from nearly $2.46 billion in 2016 to over $3.2 billion in 2026.  Multimode fiber is best suited for use in short lengths, such as those used in Local Area Networks (LANs), Data Centers (DCs) and other private enterprise applications, as well military/ aerospace, harsh environment and specialty applications (automotive, sensors, medical, oil/gas and others).

“The multimode LC small form factor connector is forecast to maintain the leadership position in relative market share throughout the forecast period,” said Stephen Montgomery, Director of the Fiber Optic Component group at ElectroniCast. 

“Field-installable connectors for indoor and outdoor use are increasing in demand and thus are increasing in volume for several end-use options. Both mechanical-splice and fusion-splice technologies are meeting the requirements in the field-installable fiber optic connector availability,” Montgomery added.

The global fiber optic connector/mechanical splice consumption is driven by a dramatic increase in bandwidth demand beyond the limits of copper.  As optical fiber use migrates closer and closer to the end user, where cable lengths are shorter with higher fiber counts, the requirements for jointing fibers becomes more critical. Splicing and connecting, play a significant role in a network’s cost and performance.

There are over 90 vendors competing for the global fiber optic connector/ mechanical splice market, which ElectroniCast tracks in a product matrix showing participation in the following: connectors, cable assemblies, optical backplanes, and fiber optic installation apparatus; however, is dominated by a few companies that have a broad base in various interconnect products. 

This report is available immediately from ElectroniCast Consultants.  For detailed information on this or other services provided by ElectroniCast, please contact Theresa Hosking, Director of Marketing/Sales; thosking@electronicastconsultants.com  (Telephone/USA: 831-708-2381)

ElectroniCast Consultants – www.electronicastconsultants.com specializes in forecasting trends in communication networks and in the products used in those networks.  This includes technology forecasting, markets and applications forecasting, strategic planning and consulting. ElectroniCast Consultants, as a technology-based independent forecasting firm, serves industrial companies, trade associations, government agencies, communication and data network companies and the financial community.  Reduction of the risk of major investment decisions is the main benefit provided.  ElectroniCast Consultants’ goal is to understand the challenges and opportunities facing clients and to provide timely, accurate information for strategic planning.

A revolution is coming in fiber optic interconnects

nanoPrecision Products announced the commercial launch at OFC 2017 of their breakthrough Ferrolder®, a titanium-constructed fiber optic interconnect with ferrule and holder in one piece.

Representing the first true innovation in fiber optic interconnects in more than four decades, the Ferrolder can be assembled onto a fiber without epoxy. Designed for single-mode or multimode applications, the Ferrolder is qualified for “Single Optical Connector SC-UPC (Ultra Physical Contact)kit” by Verizon and will initially be available in SC UPC connectorized fiber cable assembly format, followed shortly by Angled Physical Contact (APC) format.

The company also is announcing the launch of the Football Ferrule, a single-mode or multimode, multi-fiber interconnect system based on the SC form factor. Like the Ferrolder, the Football Ferrule has nano-scale features that hold fibers without epoxy. Following its commercial launch at OFC, the breakthrough interconnect system will initially be available in multimode SC connectorized fiber cable assembly format, followed shortly by single-mode SC format.

nanoPrecision Products, Inc.

Robert King

VP, Sales & Marketing    

See the Company Site: http://nanoprecision.com/

High-density connectors for data center cabling

High-density connectors for data center cabling certified in accordance with the IEC standard 

EUROMICRON Werkzeuge GmbH, a euromicron Group company, has successfully had its URM (yoU aRe Modular) fiber-optic connectors certified in the standardization process of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). URM is a multi-fiber connector system in a small form factor design and has been specifically designed for high-density applications in data centers. In October 2016, the URM connectors developed in Germany assumed a firm place in the IEC 61754 series of standards for defining optical connectors and have been bindingly regulated in the individual standard IEC 61754-34:2016-10 (Fiber optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Fiber optic connector interfaces – Part 34: Type URM connector family).

They are available as two- and eight-fiber connectors and impress with a high packing densi-ty, as well as ultra-precise, spring-loaded ceramic ferules. Due to the fact that every single fiber is guided individually, they permit ideal polishing of the fiber end faces, with the result that URM connectors achieve a low insertion loss of less than 0.2 dB. In data center cabling, the URM system is thus a powerful alternative to MPO connectors and permits direct adapta-tion of the IEEE 802.3bm standard from Base-12 to Base-8 connectivity. The performance advantage of the URM connector is of significance in particular on transmission links with a low loss budget, such as in the current development in high-speed data traffic from 40Gb Ethernet, up to 100-GbE and 400-GbE or up to 32-GB Fibre Channel.

The URM connectors are manufactured by EUROMICRON Werkzeuge GmbH (Sinn-Fleisbach/Central Hesse). The connectors are processed into high-performance cabling systems for data centers by euromicron’s subsidiary LWL-Sachsenkabel GmbH in Gornsdorf/Ore Mountains.

You can find more details on the euromicron URM connector system on the URM microsite at http://urm.euromicron.com

The official publication of the individual standard IEC 61754-34:2016-10 can be obtained from the publisher VDE-Verlag at www.iec-normen.de

Smiths Interconnect Launches Brand Transition

March 6, 2017

SMITHS INTERCONNECT LAUNCHES BRAND TRANSITION

TO SIMPLIFY CUSTOMER ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGIES AND SOLUTIONS

Smiths Interconnect, a division of Smiths Group plc, today announces it is unifying its technology brands of EMC Technology, Hypertac, IDI, Lorch, Millitech, RF Labs, Sabritec, TECOM, and TRAK under the single brand identity of ‘Smiths Interconnect’.

This brand transition supports a recent strategic reorganisation focused on creating a more agile structure that can better anticipate and respond to customers’ evolving needs.

Individually, the technology brands represent state-of-the-art solutions across the connectors, microwave components and microwave subsystems markets. Providing a strong umbrella brand that supports the breadth of these products and technologies will make Smiths Interconnect a more comprehensive solutions provider, improving the customer experience by streamlining access and interactions across multiple applications.

“Over time, interactions among our brands have increased across many of our markets,” said Roland Carter, President of Smiths Interconnect. “Aligning all this activity under the Smiths Interconnect name will make us a more streamlined partner, enhancing our customers’ access to the combined strength of our products, expertise and application knowledge.”

The individual technology brands will continue to be visible in association with the Smiths Interconnect brand during the transition period. Customers and other stakeholders are encouraged to visit www.smithsInterconnect.com/faq for more information.

About Smiths Interconnect

Smiths Connectors offers both multimode and single-mode fiber optics. Fiber optic contacts support wide-bandwidth applications and are suitable for inclusion in a broad variety of connector styles. All fiber optic connectors and contacts are offered fully terminated and tested ensuring signal integrity for rugged application environments.

Smiths Interconnect is a leading provider of technically differentiated electronic components, subsystems, microwave and radio frequency products that connect, protect and control critical applications in the commercial aviation, defense, space, medical, rail, semiconductor test, wireless telecommunications, and industrial markets. Smiths Interconnect is synonymous with exceptional performance whenever a technologically advanced, high quality solution is required to ensure reliability and safety.

Smiths Interconnect is part of Smiths Group, a global leader in applying advanced technologies for markets in threat and contraband detection, energy, medical devices, communications and engineered components.  Smiths Group employs approximately 22,000 people in more than 50 countries.

Source: http://www.smithsconnectors.com/news/news-releases/2017/smiths-interconnect-launches-brand-transition

Seikoh Giken at OFC 2017

Seikoh Giken will exhibit full line of their interconnect, polishing and cleaning products.

Highlighted exhibiting items are:

Passive Device

• LC Uniboot Connector
• Shuttered Connector / Adaptor
• Angle boot / Short boot
• Multi Channel Fiber Pigtail
• Receptacle Pigtail

Polisher & Cleaner

• New polishing machine SFP-560A and New small MT polisher SFP-70D-MT
• One-lever action (Quick loading type) MT polishing holder
• Large diameter drop cable polishing solution for both Single fiber and MT
• Cloth type HandiMate SHM-503 cleaner
• New Benchtop Fiber Cleaner SPR-2

Source: https://www.seikoh-giken.co.jp/en/news/index.html#02

OFC Conference Link: http://www.ofcconference.org/en-us/home/

Prysmian Group - over 4,000 patents

Prysmian focuses on innovation and research with a portfolio of over 4,000 patents

Signing of the agreement for the Patent Box regime to optimise the benefits of thepatent portfolio, an important asset for the Group Milan, 6 March 2017 –

Prysmian Group, world leader in the energy and telecom cable systems industry, confirms its focus on technological innovation. As of December 2016, the Group’s portfolio accounted for 4,651 granted patents and pending patent applications worldwide, covering 749 inventions. In 2016, 31 new patent applications were filed and 183 patents were reviewed and granted in various countries.

Protecting its portfolio of patents and trademarks is of fundamental importance to the Group’s business, also in view of its growth strategy on market segments at the high-tech end. The most significant products — typically those with specific features or a specific production process — are protected by trademarks that identify them and ensure their uniqueness.

The Group currently owns 570 trademarks, corresponding to 2,597 registrations in the various countries in which it operates, covering the names and symbols that identify its companies, operations, products and product lines. As further evidence of the important role that research and innovation play for the Group, in December 2016 Prysmian was among the first companies in Italy to enter into the agreement with the Advance Agreements and International Disputes Office of the Italian Revenue Agency governing the methods and criteria for calculating income earned from “indirect” use of intangible assets — eligible for reduced IRES (corporate income tax) and IRAP (regional production tax) — for the purposes of the Patent Box.The Patent Box is a regime offering lower rates to companies that earn income through the direct use or licensing to third parties of their intellectual property rights. In Prysmian’s case, the agreement extends to the portfolio of patents granted or in the process of being granted, company information subject to legal protection, and technical and operating know-how regarded as ancillary and complementary to patents.

Prysmian Group

Prysmian Group is world leader in the energy and telecom cable systems industry. With almost 140 years of experience, sales exceeding €7.5 billion in 2016, 21,000 employees across 50 countries and 82 plants, the Group is strongly positioned in high-tech markets and offers the widest possible range of products, services, technologies and know-how. It operates in the businesses of underground and submarine cables and systems for power transmission and distribution, of special cables for applications in many different industries and of medium and low voltage cables for the construction and infrastructure sectors.For the telecommunications industry, the Group manufactures cables and accessories for voice, video and data transmission, offering a comprehensive range of optical fibres, optical and copper cables and connectivity systems.Prysmian is a public company, listed on the Italian Stock Exchange in the FTSE MIB index.

Source: http://www.prysmiangroup.com/en/corporate/media/news/Focus-on-innovation-and-research/

Optotec - New fiber optic closure microtp

Monday, 06 March 2017 

µOTP: New fiber optic closure microtp

The fiber optic FOCUS-µOTP is an hermetic closure for splicing and termination, developed for FTTP and FTTH networks it is used in aerial, pedestal, underground environment. The product can be configured in-line - Butt - Tap-off.

The main key features of this product are constituted by:

• All fibres G652 and G657 fibre compatible

• Termination closure for up to 12 subscribers 12 splice (Fiberterm or Fiberclip) 12 adapters SC

• SIZE ≤ 2liters

• Main cable entry 4-16 mm - Drop cable sealing 4-6 mm

• Standard configuration cables in/out – 2 feeders + 18 drops

• Positive fibre management - respected min. bend radius

• High reliability - IP68 and IK10

• Latch closing system - friendly use - tool less - easy to install

• Operating temperature -40°C up to +70°C

• ROHS and ECO friendly

About Optotec

Founded in 1992, Optotec provides a complete range of solutions for the telecommunications and FTTH networks. A spin-off of Sirti, Optotec was established to provide superior fiber optic products to the European markets. Since 1997, Optotec has been part of the NTET Group. Through a combination of strength and leadership in the national market, Optotec became an innovative and cost effective solutions partner for communications infrastructure. Headquartered in Milan, the site is fully dedicated to providing research and development, manufacturing and customer service and support.

Optotec’s main market remains in Italy, however their activities continue to expand in Europe and beyond through strong collaboration with our foreign partners. Optotec develops, manufactures and markets performance products for Telecom optical designers, service providers and network installers. Optotec offers a variety of products that connect, protect and seal the optical fiber network which include central office (CO) racks, sub-racks and components; Out-side Plant (OSP) closures, cabinets, pedestal, termination boxes; Customer Premises (CP) such as buildings and houses as well as other customized products.

Optotec’s Quality System was certificate for the first time in 1995. Recently Optotec’s Quality System has been awarded the ISO 9001:2008 certificate. It also currently participates in all events sponsored by IEC and ITU.

Source: http://www.optotec.it/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=546:uotp-nuova-muffola-di-giunzione-e-terminazione-microtp&Itemid=1346&lang=en

Fiber-optic LC uni-body duplex connector with a top slide bar

Fiber Optic Pro-Slide™ Connector

CTI (Connectivity Technologies Inc), a business unit of Methode Electronics, Data Solutions Group, was tasked with providing cable support teams a manageable way to perform moves, adds and changes without damaging connectors or sacrificing system density.

SOLUTION

Their team developed the Pro-Slide™ Connector, a fiber-optic LC uni-body duplex connector, featuring a slide bar to perform an easy-to-lock/easy-to-remove action.

STORY

Manufacturers of patch panels and switch equipment made their products highly dense to increase the number of ports in the smallest possible footprint, creating problems for cable support teams. The need to perform timely moves, adds and changes without damaging the connectors, became increasingly difficult. After receiving calls for help from many customers, the CTI team set out to develop a solution.

After six months of design and prototyping, CTI created the Pro-Slide™ Connector. This unique fiber-optic LC uni-body duplex connector features a top slide bar that, when pulled back, depresses the connector's locking tabs, facilitating easy removal from the equipment without damaging the cable. Additionally, the design includes a slot on the back of the slide bar that allows a special 'T' shaped tool to draw back the slide. Saving maintenance time and reducing the need for replacement cables, the Pro-Slide Connector is now an integral part of many CTI customers' cable assemblies.

Source: http://www.methode.com/about/case-studies/data5.html#.WMFmFdThCcY

Optical Cable Corporation - Q1 (2017) Financial Results

ROANOKE, Va., March 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Optical Cable Corporation (Nasdaq GM: OCC) ("OCC®" or the "Company") today announced financial results for its first quarter ended January 31, 2017.

First Quarter 2017 Financial Results

Consolidated net sales for the first quarter of fiscal year 2017 were $14.6 million, a 4.0% increase compared to net sales of $14.0 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2016.  These results were driven by an increase in net sales in the Company's enterprise markets, including a double-digit increase in fiber optic cable sales.

Net sales to customers in the United States increased 10.8% compared to the same period last year, while net sales to customers outside of the United States showed continued weakness.  Net sales outside the U.S. continue to be negatively impacted by a strong U.S. dollar relative to other currencies, particularly in certain geographic regions. 

Gross profit increased 37.3% to $4.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2017, compared to $3.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2016.  Gross profit margin, or gross profit as a percentage of net sales, increased to 32.9% compared to 24.9% in the first quarter of fiscal year 2016.  Gross profit margin was positively impacted by a shift in product mix toward certain higher margin products.

OCC recorded a net loss attributable to the Company of $616,000, or $0.09 per basic and diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal year 2017, compared to a net loss attributable to the Company of $1.7 million, or $0.28 per basic and diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal year 2016. 

Revolving Credit Facility Renewed

OCC renewed its revolving credit facility with the Bank of North Carolina on February 28, 2017 (after the end of the first quarter), extending the maturity date to March 31, 2019 and maintaining the credit availability under the facility at $7.0 million until maturity.  The revolving credit facility previously was scheduled to expire on February 28, 2018, with the maximum credit availability scheduled to reduce to $6.5 million and $6.0 million, on February 28, 2017 and February 28, 2018, respectively. 

Management's Comments

Neil Wilkin, President and Chief Executive Officer of OCC, said, "Our results in the first quarter reflect our continued efforts to operate efficiently and drive growth through sales and marketing initiatives as well as product innovation. Despite expected seasonality and currency exchange rates that impacted our international sales, in the first quarter, we delivered year-over-year improvements in net sales, gross profit and gross profit margin, as well as improvements to the bottom line.  As we move forward, we will continue providing customers and end users with OCC's integrated product offerings and solutions.  Through the continued successful execution of our plan, we are confident we will create value for shareholders."

Company Information

Optical Cable Corporation ("OCC®") is a leading manufacturer of a comprehensive range of top-tier fiber optic and copper communication cabling and connectivity products and solutions—primarily for the enterprise market, various harsh environment and specialty markets, and the wireless carrier market. 

OCC® is internationally recognized for pioneering innovative fiber optic and copper communications technologies, including fiber optic cable designs for the most demanding environments and applications, copper connectivity designs to meet the highest data communication industry standards, as well as a broad product offering built on the evolution of these fundamental technologies. 

Company's website at www.occfiber.com

HUBER+SUHNER at OFC 2017

HUBER+SUHNER at OFC 2017 Los Angeles Convention Center , 21st - 23rd March.

At OFC 2017, HUBER+SUHNER will be releasing the new Polatis Series 6000 Ultra range of fully non-blocking all-optical switches, offering ultra-low loss optical performance of less than 1.0dB (0.5dB typ) from 4x4 to 32x32 ports in a compact 1RU size.

Also highlighted will be their integrated solutions that combine Polatis optical switch modules with their Fiber Management Systems, offering a new level of dynamic fiber connectivity for the data center and remote office. In addition, the company will exhibit optically-switched RF over Fiber connectivity for antenna remoting, together with all-optical switching solutions for C-RAN WDM transport and monitoring which enable sharing of centralized test equipment that can be scaled to manage thousands of fiber links.

Source: http://www.polatis.com/