Selecting the Optimum Fiber Design for LAN Applications

The evolving fiber optics market for local networks has led to the use of five graded index, multimode fiber designs. The selection of an optimum fiber for LAN applications is a comprise among competing factors such as system configuration, attenuation, bandwidth, installed price and upgrade capability. The design considerations are influenced by the market trends in local and premises networks toward increased information rates over longer distances. This paper shows that a combination of high source-to-fiber coupling efficiency, low loss, low sensitivity to microbending and microbending, and high bandwidth support 62.5/125micron fiber as the optimum design to meet present system needs as well as upgradability requirements. This position of 62.5/125micron fiber is supported by a large customer base and by the recommendations of U.S. standards committees.