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802.3bv - The Power of Plastic Optical Fiber

by Katee Schalau 8/16/2018
 

In the realm of IEEE standards, 802.3 is bringing a lot to the table for today’s newest
innovations. This standard includes several iterations that support ground breaking
technology, including 802.3at and 802.3bt that support Power over Ethernet (PoE),
802.3bz that delivers 2.5 and 5 Gbps speeds over copper and now we can add
802.3bv to that list. 802.3bv was developed to support Power over Plastic Optical
Fiber (POF) and it’s slated to deliver groundbreaking speed and performance.

First, let’s take a look at plastic optical fiber and all of its capabilities. It is a large core,
step-index optical fiber capable of speeds of up to 1 Gbps. It is easy to install, cost
effective, durable and is an ideal choice for networks reaching 80 meters with infrastructure that connects to switches and/or wall plates. POF will be able to
meet the higher bandwidth demands of developing technology and can be used in new applications for home, industrial and automotive networks. Thus, there
has been a push for the development of 802.3bv to support all of the possible POF applications.

The IEEE 802.3bv standard is an amendment to the 802.3 standard that allows 1000 Mb/s
speeds, allowing POF to meet the increased bandwidth needs of those automotive, industrial
and home network connectivity applications. 802.3bv delivers Gigabit Ethernet operation over
POF and defines physical layer specs for home, industrial and auto industries. With 802.3bv,
POF Ethernet networks will have the support of a robust and reliable media option.
Automotive applications will have operation over a minimum of 15 meters with 4 POF
connections, and distances of at least 40 meters with zero POF connections. Home and
industrial applications will be able to achieve lengths of at least 50 meters with one POF
connection.

There are three physical layer specifications in this amendment, specifically designed for the industries targeted. All use 1000BASE-H encoding over duplex
POF cable and red light wavelength transmission.

·        1000BASE-RHA – 1000 Mb/s speeds for home network and consumer applications 

·        1000BASE-RHB – 1000 Mb/s made for industrial applications

·        1000BASE-RHC – 1000 Mb/s rates designed for automotive applications

With the development of 802.3bv, yet another layer of power and possibility has been added to the realm of IEEE standards, ensuring that the world of
technology has no intention of slowing down.

Tags: 802.3bv, IEEE, Plastic Optical Fiber, POF, home network, industrial, automotive
Categories: Wired

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What You Need to Know About WiMAX 802.16

by Katee Schalau 7/26/2018
 

In the IEEE’s world of standards, 802.16 is dedicated to the global deployment of broadband metropolitan
area networks. The technology for this standard has been named WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability of
Microwave Access), it is used for long-rage wireless networking for mobile and fixed connections. Though
not as popular as Wi-Fi or LTE, WiMAX has much to offer.

When compared to similar technologies, WiMAX offers low cost and increased flexibility. It is an OFDMA-
based, all IP, data-centric technology ideal for use in 4G mobile. WiMAX can be installed with shorter
towers and less cabling, which supports city or country-wide non-line-of-sight (NLoS) coverage. This cuts
down installation time and saves on cost when compared to standard wired technology such as DSL. In
addition to fixed connections, WiMAX service is offered through a subscription for access via devices with built-in technology. Currently, WiMAX is in many
devices such as phones, laptops, Wi-Fi devices and USB dongles.

WiMAX is capable of speeds up to 40 Mbps over a distance of several miles. WiMAX can also
provide more than just internet access, it can deliver video and voice transmissions and
telephone access. All of these capabilities, plus lower cost and faster installation times make it
an attractive option for areas where wired internet is too costly or not available. WiMAX can
also be used in several other ways: as a backhaul to transfer data through an internet network,
as a replacement for satellite internet for fixed wireless broadband access and for mobile
internet access comparable to LTE.

After many revisions, WiMAX has now evolved into its most current version: WiMAX Advanced,
which is backwards-compatible with previous versions (WiMAX Release 1.0 and 2.0). WiMAX
Advanced utilizes all of the same capabilities while providing 100 Mbps mobile speeds and 1
Gbps fixed station speeds. Plus, WiMAX Advanced supports additional devices and broadband
wireless access technologies, MIMO, beamforming and radio access technologies for
operation within a multi radio access network. WiMAX is managed by the WiMAX forum, a non-
profit group that certifies and endorses wireless products that are compatible with the 802.16
standard, these include WiMAX Advanced, AeroMACS and WiGRID.

Of course, there are drawbacks to WiMAX, speeds can get slower as the source gets further
away. Also, when multiple users are connected at the same time, performance can suffer. WiMAX might never be as popular as Wi-Fi, but there are plenty of
benefits that make it a good option to consider.

Tags: WiMAX, 802.16, IEEE, Wi-Fi, NLoS, DSL, LTE, 40 Mbps, 1Gbps, WIMAX forum, AeroMACS, WiGRID
Categories: Wireless

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802.3bz Provides Congestion Relief – 2.5 Gbps & 5 Gbps Over Copper
by Katee Schalau 5/3/2018
 

Cat5e and Cat6 cables are two of the most widely used cables in the world. Traditionally, for conventional Cat5e and Cat6 twisted-pair copper cabling, Gigabit
Ethernet (1 Gbps) is the fastest standard. A wired connection of 1 Gbps is probably enough speed for one PC user, but with the surge of high-speed Wi-Fi
devices being used over the last few years, Gigabit Ethernet has become increasingly congested. Thus, the IEEE has developed the 802.3bz standard to ease
the pain of 1 Gbps traffic and allow speeds of up to 2.5 Gbps and 5 Gbps over Cat5e and Cat6 copper cables.

  

To escape the 1 Gbps bottleneck and increase speeds to 10 Gbps, a network cable upgrade to Cat6a or Cat7 is usually required. At an estimated $300 per
cable pull, upgrading cable is a costly process and not always feasible, especially for large networks which could also encounter expensive delays and
connection disruptions in the process.  Fortunately, the 802.3bz allows users to avoid expensive cable upgrades. This new 2.5G/5GBASE-T standard can
provide 2.5 Gbps speeds over 100 meters of Cat5e cable and 5 Gbps speeds over 100 meters of Cat6 cable. These higher speeds are bookended by a switch
on one end and either an Ethernet extender or electronic device on the opposite end.

The physical layer of 2.5G/5GBASE-T is similar to 10GBASE-T, but uses 200 MHz or 100 MHz spectral bandwidth instead of 400 MHz. This is beneficial
because 2.5G/5GBASE-T consumes less than half the bandwidth of 10GBASE-T and doesn’t require a high-quality, mega-shielded cable. The 802.3bz standard
also provides additional features such as Power over Ethernet (PoE), which is useful when rolling out Wi-Fi access points.
 

With a growing need for faster connections, 802.3bz provides a sensible way to upgrade networking
capabilities without the expense of re-cabling, all while improving user experience and avoiding costly
downtime.

Tags: 802.3bz, IEEE, Gigabit Ethernet, Cat5e, Cat 6, 2.5 Gbps, 5 Gbps, 2.5G/5GBASE-T, twisted-pair, copper
cable
Categories: Wired

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Plastic Optical Fiber (POF) Pros and Cons

by Katee Schalau 4/26/2018

In our previous blog posts, we’ve explored many of the advantages of fiber optic cables. From faster speeds,
greater bandwidth, immunity to EMI/RFI and better performance in harsh environments, fiber has a lot of
advantages over traditional copper cabling. We’ve also compared multimode fiber vs. single-mode fiber. But what
about plastic optical fiber (POF)? Here, we’ll explore the good and the bad of POF and how it can work for you.

Plastic Optical Fiber is a large core, step-index optical fiber that can deliver data rates of up to 1 Gbps. POF is an
ideal choice for networks with infrastructure runs of up to 80 meters connecting to switches and/or wall plates.
Because it’s made of plastic, POF is more durable and is easily installed in minutes with fewer tools and less
training.  It is also priced more competitively, which makes it a more attractive option for desktop LAN connections
and low-speed short links.

POF will support the higher bandwidth demands projected for the average user in the coming years. It is also well-suited for developing new applications that
require higher bandwidth, including IPTV and Triple Play services. It can be used in businesses, homes, student housing, apartments and condos. As a matter
of fact, the IEEE recently specified the 802.3bv standard for plastic optical fiber. This standard will allow POF to provide Gigabit Ethernet support for
applications such as automotive, industrial and home networks.

With a typical diameter of 1 mm, POF is about 100 times larger than glass optical fiber, which could be a downfall, but the large size allows it to easily couple a
large amount of light from sources and connectors that don’t have to have high precision. This makes termination simple and cuts connector costs by an
average of 10-20% compared to glass fibers.

POF is ideal for short-range communication networks and plays an important role in military communication networks. It is also safer than glass optical fiber
because it uses a harmless green or red light that is easy visible to the eye. Though plastic optical fibers can’t withstand the extreme high-temperatures that
glass optical fiber can, they do provide added durability and flexibility for use in data communications, industrial environments and military applications.

The list of cons is short: slower data-rates, shorter distances.  

POF has a lengthy list of pros. Here’s an overview:

·       Lower cost

·       Easier to install

·       Less infrastructure support required

·       50% less power than copper

·       80% less carbon dioxide than copper

·       High-performance data transfer

·       Resists EMI/RFI and crosstalk interference

·       Lightweight and durable

·       Waterproof, moisture-proof and magnetic-free

·       LEED-certified

·       Future 802.3bv standard (1Gbps speeds)

Tags: plastic optical fiber, POF, EMI/RFI, 1 Gbps data rate, high bandwidth, 802.3bv, IEEE
Categories: Wired

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The Full Spectrum of Wireless Communications Protocols and Standards

by Katee Schalau 3/1/2018
 

The IoT is the driving force behind most wireless technology today. Everything including cars, smart homes, businesses and cities will be connected by the IoT.
Plus, an estimated 300 million smartphones are slated to have artificial neural network (ANN) learning capabilities that would enable functions such as
navigation, speech recognition and augmented reality.

With all the wireless technology rolling out and market demand for wireless communications applications continuing to grow, the development of different
wireless technologies is also exploding to meet that demand. In fact, there are so many new technologies emerging that some directly compete with one
another and frequencies overlap.

Many protocols are in accordance with IEEE 802.11 standards. The IEEE 802 LAN/MAN Standards Committee (LMSC) develops the most widely known wired
and wireless standards, which encompasses local and metropolitan area networks. The fundamental IEEE standard of 802.11.n had of a minimum of 31
amendments through 2016, with more in the process. These cover everything from Ethernet, wireless LAN, virtual LAN, wireless hot spots, bridging and more.

Other IEEE standards include:

-    IEEE 802.15.4 for Simplified Personal Wireless and Industrial Short-Range Links

-    IEEE 802.15 Wireless PAN

-    IEEE 802.16 Broadband Wireless (WiMAX)

-    IEEE 802.22 for Wireless Regional Area Network (WRAN), with base station range to 60 miles

-    IEEE 802.23 for Emergency Service Communications

802.11 wireless technology began when the FCC released the industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) radio bands for unlicensed use. The ISM bands were then
established in 1974 by the International telecommunication Union (ITU).

These are the frequency allocations as determined by the ITU:

Min. Freq. Max. Freq Type Availability Licensed Users

6.765 MHz 6.795 MHz A Local Acceptance Fixed & Mobile Service

13.553 MHz 13.567 MHz B Worldwide Fixed & Mobile Service except Aeronautical

26.957 MHz 27.283 MHz B Worldwide Fixed & Mobile Service except Aeronautical & CB

40.66 MHz 40.7 MHz B Worldwide Fixed, Mobile & Earth Exploration/Satellite Service

433.05 MHz 434.79 MHz A Europe Amateur & Radiolocation Service

 902 MHz 928 MHz B B Americas Fixed, Mobile & Radiolocation Service

Fixed, Mobile, Radiolocation, Amateur & Amateur Satellite

2.4 GHz 2.5 GHz B Worldwide
Service

Fixed-Satellite, Radiolocation, Mobile, Amateur & Amateur

5.725 GHz 5.875 GHz B Worldwide
Satellite Service

Amateur, Amateur Satellite, Radiolocation & Earth Exploration

24 GHz 24.25 GHz B Worldwide
Satellite

61 GHz 61.5 GHz A Local Acceptance Fixed, Inter-satellite, Mobile & Radiolocation

122 GHz 123 GHz A Local Acceptance Earth Exploration Satellite, Inter-Satellite, Space Research

244 GHz 246 GHz A Local Acceptance Radiolocation, Radio Astronomy, Amateur & Satellite Service

In addition to IEEE standards, other technologies have broken away from IEEE and made the move to special trade organizations and even changed their
names. Plus, there is a slew of short range communications standards vying for dominance, including ANT+, Bluetooth, FirstNet and ZigBee. No matter what
your wireless communication application is, rest assured that there are plenty of standards and protocols to refer to when designing your wireless network.

Tags: wireless communication, wireless standards, IoT, IEEE, ISM bands, WLAN, 802.11, Wi-Fi
Categories: Wireless

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