Described sometimes as “full HD,” has 1080 vertical lines of progressive scan (hence the “p”) resolution in a 16:9 aspect widescreen and a 1920 x 1080 frame resolution; compare with 1080i, which is an interlaced screen format.

A set of IEEE standards that specifies medium-access and physical-layer specifications for wireless local area networks (WLAN).

The IEEE standards committee defining Ethernet networking.

An IEEE standard for bus topology networks that defines token passing to control access and network traffic, running at 10Mbps a second.

1-Gigabit Ethernet supporting 25m operation over twinaxial cable.

Standard for data transmission of 1000 Mbps ethernet using fiber optic cables at a wavelength of 1300 nm.

Standard for data transmission of 1000 Mbps ethernet using fiber optic cables at a wavelength of 850 nm.

Another high-speed version of the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet standard. Often called Gigabit Ethernet. It transmits at 1000 Mbps, or 1 Gbps, and it’s commonly used for Ethernet backbone connections.

A networking technology supporting Gigabit Ethernet over fiber optic cable.

1000-Mbps Gigabit Ethernet specification using two strands of single-mode fiber-optic cable per link.

100 Mpbs Fast Ethernet, based on 4B/5B encoding with fibre optics.

850 nm fiber optic technology that supports auto-negotiation. 100BASE-SX devices can communicate with 10BASE-FL devices at 10 Mbps and other 100BASE-SX devices at 100 Mbps.

A high-speed version of Ethernet (IEEE 802.3). Also called Fast Ethernet, 100BASE-T transmits at 100 Mbps.

A networking standard that supports data transfer rates up to 100 Mbps (100 megabits per second).

100 Gigabit Ethernet,a standard in development that will enable the transfer of Ethernet frames at 100 gigabits per second (gp/s)

A thin-coaxial-cable version of an IEEE 802.3 network.

Popular 10 Mbps link fibre optic solution which replaces the older FOIRL implementation utilizing 850 nm fibre optic technology.

The most common 10-Mbps Ethernet standard. It uses twisted-pair wires and RJ-45 connectors.

A 10,000 Mbit/s version of Ethernet supporting 15m operation over infiniband cabling. 10GBase-Fx IEEE 802.3ae. A 10,000 Mbit/s.

A Physical layer standard for achieving 10-Gbps data transmission over singlemode, fiber-optic cable. In 10GBase-ER, the ER stands for extended reach. This standard specifies a star topology and segment lengths up to 40,000 meters.

A variation of the 10GBase-ER standard that is specially encoded to operate over SONET links.

A Physical layer standard for achieving 10-Gbps data transmission over singlemode, fiber-optic cable using wavelengths of 1310 nanometers. In 10GBase-LR, the LR stands for long reach. This standard specifies a star topology and segment lengths up to 10,000 meters.

Serial Gigabit Ethernet for 220 m of 62.5-micron multimode fiber

A variation of the 10GBase-LR standard that is specially encoded to operate over SONET links.

A Physical layer standard for achieving 10-Gbps data transmission over multimode fiber using wavelengths of 850 nanometers. The maximum segment length for 10GBase-SR can reach up to 300 meters, depending on the fiber core diameter and modal bandwidth used.

A variation of the 10GBase-SR standard that is specially encoded to operate over SONET links.

A Physical layer standard for achieving 10-Gbps data transmission over twisted pair cable. Described in its 2006 standard 802.3an, IEEE specifies Cat 6 or Cat 7 cable as the appropriate medium for 10GBase-T. The maximum segment length for 10GBase-T is 100 meters.

A Physical layer standard Uses one Rx single-mode fiber and one Tx single-mode fiber to transmit data at 10 Gbit/s over a distance within 80 km.

A variation of the 10GBase-ZR standard that is specially encoded to operate over SONET links.

10-Gigabit Ethernet, a version of Ethernet operating at 10,000 Mbit/s over twisted pair copper and optical fibre cabling.

Abbreviation for ‘one unit’ or ”rack unit – RU’, ‘U’ = 1.75 inches.

25 Gbit/s Ethernet

A standard that enables the transfer of Ethernet frames at speeds of up to 40 gigabits per second (Gbps).

A block encoding scheme used to send Fast Ethernet data. In this signal encoding scheme, 4 bits of data are turned into 5-bit code symbols for transmission over the media system.

The IEEE standard that governs the deployment of 5GHz OFDM systems. It specifies the implementation of the physical layer for wireless UNII b.

An international IEEE standard for WLAN networks, operating at 2.4GHz and providing a maximum data transfer rate of 11Mbps

A proposed standard that describes a wireless networking method for a WLAN that operates in the 2.4GHz radio band (ISM: Industrial Scientific Medical frequency band). It transfers data at up to 54Mbps.

The IEEE standard that describes 1000Base-T, a 1-gigabit Ethernet technology that runs over four pairs of Cat 5 or better cable.

The IEEE standard that describes 10-gigabit Ethernet technologies, including 10GBase-SR, 10GBase-SW, 10GBase-LR, 10GBase-LW, 10GBase-ER, and 10GBase-EW.

The IEEE standard that describes 10GBase-T, a 10-Gbps Ethernet technology that runs on Cat 6 or Cat 7 twisted pair cable

The IEEE standard that describes 1000Base (or 1-gigabit) Ethernet technologies, including 1000Base-LX and 1000Base-SX.

A material such as silicon carbide, aluminum oxide, silica, cerium oxide, emery or rouge that is used to figure, shape, or finish optical elements. Abrasives differ from polishing materials mainly in particle size.

Abbreviation for alternating current. An electric current that reverses its direction at regularly recurring intervals.

The half-angle of the cone (a) within which incident light is totally internally reflected by the fiber core. It is equal to sin-1(NA).

A cone angled area that light must enter in order to “bounce” down the fiber and remain in the core of the fiber.

A length of fiber placed between the OTDR and the first event along a fiber that is to be measured. Allows the user to see fiber on both sides of the event so that its loss can be estimated. Length must be significantly greater than the OTDR attenuation dead zone.
(Also Known as: Launch Cable)

A device that requires a source of energy for its operation and has an output that is a function of present and past input signals. Examples include controlled power supplies, transistors, amplifiers, and transmitters.

A mechanical termination device designed to align and join optical fiber connectors; often referred to as a coupling or interconnect sleeve.
(Also Known as: Bulkhead, Coupling Sleeve, Interconnect Sleeve, Sleeve, Coupler, Bulkhead Adapter)

An important element of an optical fiber network. A multiplexer combines, or multiplexes, several lower-bandwidth streams of data into a single beam of light. An add-drop multiplexer also has the capability to add one or more lower-bandwidth signals to an existing high-bandwidth data stream, and at the same time can extract or drop other low-bandwidth signals, removing them from the stream and redirecting them to some other network path.

Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line service, ADSL (ANSI standard T1.413) is commonly used for downstream transmissions like Internet access in homes or businesses. Its downstream/upstream transmission rates range from 9 Mbps/640 kbps over short distances to 1.544 Mbps/16 kbps over longer distances.

All-fiber access network. Used primarily in cable TV (CATV) market.

A hardware used for bonding and grounding metallic components of fiber optic cable.

A device, inserted within a transmission path, that boosts the strength of an electronic or optical signal. Amplifiers may be placed just after the transmitter (power booster), at a distance between the transmitter and the receiver (in-line amplifier), or just before the receiver (preamplifier).

Noise introduced to a signal in an amplifier device.

A continuously variable signal. Opposite of digital.

Angled physical contact. Connectors which have their end-face mating surface polished at an eight-degree angle to the fiber axis. Minimizes reflections; required in RF video applications.

A photodiode that exhibits internal amplification of photocurrent through avalanche multiplication of carriers in the junction region.

In a GSM-based network, the APN (Access Point Name) is the name of an access point for GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) or 3G connections. An access point identifies an external network to which a mobile device can connect. Access Point Name (APN) describes the settings that are used for such a connection.

ATM (-based) passive optical network

Antireflection coating. A thin, dielectric or metallic film applied to an optical surface to reduce its reflectance and thereby increase its transmittance.

Additional protective element beneath the cable jacket. It is an outer jacket used to provide protection against severe outdoor environments and gnawing rodents. Usually made of plastic-coated steel, it may be corrugated for flexibilty.

Stands for American Standard Code for Information Interchange,the most widely used Character Set in computer technology.

Abbreviation for application-specific integrated circuit. A custom-designed integrated circuit.

Asynchronous Transfer Mode,A high-speed cell-switching network technology that handles high rate data and real-time voice and video.It is a transmission standard widely used by the telecom industry.

The decrease in magnitude of a current, voltage or power of a signal in transmission between points because of the transmission medium.  A term usually used for expressing the total loss of an optical system, normally measured in decibels (dB) at a specific wavelength.

The rate of optical power loss with respect to distance along the fiber, usually measured in decibels per kilometer (dB/km) at a specific wavelength; the lower the number, the better the fiber’s attenuation. Typical multimode wavelengths are 850 and 1300 nanometers (nm); single-mode wavelengths are 1310 and 1550 nm.
B

A passive optical component that intentionally reduces the optical power propagating in a fiber.

Attachment Unit Interface,The network interface used with standard Ethernet (10BASE5); it’s a 15-pin socket.

A protocol which allows two Ethernet devices to negotiate their use of the Ethernet TX and RX cable pairs so two Ethernet devices can connect whether using a crossover cable or a straight-through cable.

Auto-negotiation means automatic recognition of the opposite end’s functions. By using RJ45 plugs for the different protocols, from 10Base-T to 100Base-T, a compatibility problem occurs which is solved due automatic recognition of the opposite end. Using the auto-negotiation procedure, repeaters or terminal equipment can determine what functions the other end has, so that different devices can be configured automatically

The average level of power in a signal that varies with time.

An attenuator in which the level of attenuation is varied with an internal adjustment. Also known as variable Attenuator.

Also known as all-glass fiber. A Fiber with both a Silica Core and a silica cladding, regardless of the presence of a polymer overcoat or buffer.

Laser systems containing solid-state devices only.

A device that accepts inputs (optical or electrical) from a primary path and a secondary path to provide automatic or manual switching in the event that the primary path signal is broken or otherwise disrupted. In optical A/B switches, optical signal power thresholds dictate whether the primary path is functioning and signals a switch to the secondary path until optical power is restored to the primary path.

American Wire Gauge

A base station (or basestation) is a wireless transceiver at a fixed location (e.g. atop a telephone pole) which is part of a wireless communications network, e.g. the cell phone network. Typically, the base station connects to any cell phones in its area and relays the calls to the wired network.
A femto base station is a smaller, personal base station which might cover a home or building and connect via a DSL Internet connection.

Measurement of Data Transmission speed, expressed in bits per second or bps.

The number of signal level transitions per second in Digital data. The term is often confused with bits per second. Telecommunications specialists prefer to use “bits-per-second” to provide an accurate description.

Bayonet Fiber optic Connector – standardized fiber optic connector for multi-mode and single-mode fibers at 10 Mbps, also referred to as an ST connector. The connector is secured with bayonet locking.

A measure of the percentage of power reflected back by a discontinuity in a fiber optic line.

A bridge is a device used to connect two separate
networks. The incoming data packets are filtered using
the destination address and are forwarded to the second
network or rejected. Bridges connect subnetworks
according to the iSo/oSi reference model using protocols
on layer 2.

Broadcast refers to a collective call to all devices in the network that is not forwarded via routers and bridges.

The rear of a device enclosure, where connectors are located, cables are attached, and components are inserted

The range of frequencies available for signaling; the difference between the highest and lowest frequencies of a band, measured in Hertz.

(Bit Error Rate Test/Block Error Rate Test) — Tests that measure data-transmission quality by comparing received data with an established data pattern and then counting the number of mismatches (errors). Measurements are made of either bits or block errors.

The smallest unit of information in a binary system; a one (1) or zero (0) condition.

A unit of information, usually shorter than a computer “word.” Eight-bit bytes are most common. Also called a “character.”

Class of optical fibers compatible with ITU G.657A recommendations and having bending performance of .75 dB per 360-degree turn at 1550 nm with a 10 mm bend radius. These fibers are required to be backward compatible with standard single-mode.
(Also Known as: ClearCurve® Fiber)

Broadband Integrated Services Digital Network

Broadband Passive Optical Network. System described in ITU G983 standard. Uses optical splitters to create a one-to-many relation between the CO/HE and the subscribers. Capable of delivering voice and data; usually combined with an RF overlay for video. Usually no active (powered) components between CO/HE and subscriber.

Typically referring to copper, it denotes transmission facilities capable of handling a wide range of frequencies simultaneously, thus permitting multiple channels in data systems rather than direct modulation.

Many individual fibers contained within a single jacket or buffer tube. Also, a group of buffered fibers distinguished in some fashion from another group in the same cable core.

A method of communication in which a signal is transmitted at its original frequency without being impressed on a carrier.

A unit of signaling speed equal to the number of signal symbols per second, which may or may not be equal to the data rate in bits per second.

The smallest radius an optical fiber or fiber cable can bend before excessive attenuation or breakage occurs.

Attenuation caused by high-order modes radiating from the outside of a fiber optic waveguide which occur when the fiber is bent around a small radius. See also macrobending, microbending.

Abbreviation for bidirectional transceiver, a device that sends information in one direction and receives information from the opposite direction.

Operating in both directions. Bidirectional couplers operate the same way regardless of the direction light passes through them. Bidirectional transmission sends signals in both directions, sometimes through the same fiber.

A network topology in which all terminals are attached to a transmission medium serving as a bus. Also called a daisy-chain configuration.

A joining of two fibers without optical connectors arranged end-to-end by means of a coupling. Fusion splicing is an example.

The protective coating over the fiber.

A transmission method where direct current signals are placed directly onto the transmission medium (cable). Ethernet is a baseband network type, hence, the “Base” in 10Base-T, etc.

Bit Error Rate. The number of bit errors that occur within the space of one second.

(1)To influence to a single direction; (2) Voltage that is applied to a solid-state device.

(1)To influence to a single direction; (2) Voltage that is applied to a solid-state device.

Fibers that are designed for improved bend performance in reduced radius applications.

Breakouts refer to a multiple-fiber cable connectorized with either many single connectors or one or more multiple-fiber connectors on either end. A breakout assembly makes use of the fact that fiber optic cable can be separated into multiple fibers that are easily distributed and terminated individually or in groups. Also called “fanouts.”

A transmission network that carries high-speed telecommunications between regions (e.g., a nationwide long-distance telephone system). Sometimes used to describe the part of a local area network that carries signals between branching points.

A blade server is a computer system on a motherboard, which includes processor(s), memory, a network connection, and sometimes storage. The blade idea is intended to address the needs of large-scale computing centers to reduce space requirements for application servers and lower costs.

Subsystem cabling inter-linking equipment rooms and points of administration within and between buildings supporting the horizontal cabling subsystem

1) A temporary high-speed data-transfer mode that can transfer data at significantly higher rates than would normally be achieved with nonburst technology.
2) The maximum short-term throughput which a device is capable of transferring data.

A capacitor is a passive electronic component that consists of two conductive plates separated by an insulating dielectric. A voltage applied to the plates develops an electric field across the dielectric and causes the plates to accumulate a charge. When the voltage source is removed, the field and the charge remain until discharged, storing energy.
Capacitance (or C, measured in farads), dictates the amount of charge that can be stored at a given voltage (a one-farad capacitor charged to one volt will hold one Coulomb of charge).

1. Integrated circuit: A semiconductor device that combines multiple transistors and other components and interconnects on a single piece of semiconductor material.
2. Encoding element, in Direct-Sequence Spread Spectrum systems.

A certification products must attain in order to be sold in the European Union (EU) that involves complying with a number of different EU standards including strong resistance to EMI/RFI as well as low EMI/RFI emissions.

The line or circuit connecting a pair of multiplexors or concentrators; the circuit carrying multiplexed data.

A cabling harness is used to eliminate clutter in situations where multiple cables are installed within close proximity to one another. A cabling harness takes all of the loose cables and pulls them closer together, in order to turn what would have been a mess of multiple cables into a single organized bundle.

Optical fibers and other material(s) assembled to provide mechanical and environmental protection for the fibers.

Optical fiber cable with connectors installed on one or both ends. Cable assemblies are generally used for interconnection of optical fiber Optical Communications and opto-electronic equipment. If connectors are attached to only one end of a cable, it is known as a pigtail. If connectors are attached to both ends of a low-fiber-count cable, it is known as a jumper or patch cord.
(Also Known as: Pigtail, Jumper, Patch Cord, CCA.)

Cable bend radius during installation infers that the cable is experiencing a tensile load. Free bend infers a smaller allowable bend radius since it is at a condition of no load.

The cable plant consists of all the optical elements including fiber, connectors, splices, etc. between a transmitter and a receiver.

Community Antenna Television or Community Access Television

Coarse wavelength time-division multiplexing.

The wavelength range between 1530 nm and 1562 nm used in some CWDM and DWDM applications.

In a laser, the nominal value central operating wavelength. It is the wavelength defined by a peak mode measurement where the effective optical power resides (see illustration). In an LED, the average of the two wavelengths measured at the half amplitude points of the power spectrum.

The fixed or stationary half of a connection that is mounted on a panel/bulkhead. Receptacles mate with plugs.

A multiport device used to distribute optical power.

In technology, the wave that is modulated with a signal carrying information. In business, a company that provides telecommunication services.

Cloud networks are the combined solution of a private enterprise network with that of the global network footprint of cloud providers. They enable businesses to serve end-users and customers all over the world without the need to maintain a global network footprint of their own. Cloud networks are a key component of cloud converged infrastructure and act as the glue that enables business to extend their infrastructure seamlessly to leverage cloud services.

CAT5 is an Ethernet network cable standard defined by the Electronic Industries Association and Telecommunications Industry Association (commonly known as EIA/TIA). CAT5 is the fifth generation of twisted pair Ethernet technology and the most popular of all twisted pair cables in use today.

CAT6 is an Ethernet cable standard defined by the Electronic Industries Association and Telecommunications Industry Association (commonly known as EIA/TIA). CAT6 is the 6th generation of twisted pair Ethernet cabling – See more at: http://blog.dlink.com/glossary/cat6-category-6/#sthash.wTwyV9zy.dpuf

Security-critical networks that connect multiple control devices or operator control facilities of automation systems. A control network can be subdivided into multiple zones. At the same time, a company can have multiple control networks.

Direct Attach Cable

Optical fiber installed without transmitter and receiver, usually to provide expansion capacity. Some carries lease dark fibers to other companies that add equipment to transmit signals through them.

Devices providing the functions required to establish, maintain, and terminate a data-transmission connection—for example, Ethernet Swith and Router

The number of bits of information in a transmission system, expressed in bits per second (b/s or bps), and which may or may not be equal to the signal or baud rate.

Abbreviation for decibel relative to milliwatt.
dBµ: Abbreviation for decibel relative to microwatt.

A module that separates two or more signals previously combined by compatible multiplexing equipment.

The loss of power at a joint that occurs when the transmitting fiber has a diameter greater than the diameter of the receiving fiber. The loss occurs when coupling light from a source to fiber, from fiber to fiber, or from fiber to detector.

An electronic device that lets current flow in only one direction. Semiconductor diodes used in fiber optics contain a junction between regions of different doping. They include light emitters (LEDs and laser diodes) and detectors (photodiodes).

Abbreviation for dual in-line package. An electronic package with a rectangular housing and a row of pins along each of two opposite sides.

An injection laser diode which has a Bragg reflection grating in the active region in order to suppress multiple longitudinal modes and enhance a single longitudinal mode.

A two-fiber cable suitable for duplex transmission.

In a digital transmission, the fraction of time a signal is at the high level.

Distortion usually caused by propagation delay differences between low-to-high and high-to-low transitions. DCD is manifested as a pulse width distortion of the nominal baud time.

A photodiode that converts optical signals to electrical signals.

The temporal spreading of a pulse in an optical waveguide. May be caused by modal or chromatic effects.

For fiber optic applications, this is both a patch panel and splice panel, usually installed at a hub or entrance facility

Differential quadrature phase-shift keying

Dense wavelength division multiplexing

Electrically erasable programmable read-only memory

The endface of a connector refers to the circular cross-section of the filament where light is emitted and received, and the surrounding ferrule. The endface is often polished to improve upon the endface geometrical properties, which in turn provide better optical coupling. The fiber endface undergoes a visual inspection for defects, as well as testing on an interferometer, for endface geometry that will encourage good mating between connectors. Three main properties are examined on the interferometer.

E2000 ConnectorThe E2000 connector holds a single fiber in a ceramic ferrule. E2000’s are small form factor connectors with a moulded plastic body similar to that of an LC. The E2000 also exhibits a push- pull latching mechanism, and integrates a protective cap over the ferrule, which acts as a dust shield and shields users from laser emissions. The protective cap is loaded with an integrated spring to ensure proper closing of the cap. Like other small form factor connectors, the E-2000 connector is suited for high-density applications.

A means of combining clock and data information into a self synchronizing stream of signals.

A local-area network standard. The original Ethernet transmits 10 Mbit/s. Other version are Fast Ethernet at 100 Mbit/s, Gigabit Ethernet at 1Gbit/s, and 10 Gigabit Ethernet. A standard protocol (IEEE 802.3) for a 10-Mb/s baseband local area network (LAN) bus using carrier sense multiple access with collision detection (CSMA/CD) as the access method. Ethernet is a standard for using various transmission media, such as coaxial cables, unshielded twisted pairs, and optical fibers.

The European standard for high-speed digital transmission at 2.048 Mbps, with 31 64-KB channels available for traffic. Also called 2-Meg, European T1, or Conference European Post Telecom.

Erbium doped fiber amplifier. Fiber amplifier in which the signal to be boosted travels through a special fiber containing, as an additive, the element erbium. Laser light pumped into this special section of fiber excites the valence electrons in the erbium. When the transmitted signal passes through the fiber, the excited electrons give up their extra energy in sync with the transmitted signal, adding to its strength. The output is identical to the input, but now has a much higher power level. EDFAs amplify the optical signal without the need to convert it to an electrical signal and back to optical.

Electronic Industry Alliance

Electromagnetic interference. Electromagnetic interference is a disturbance that affects an electrical circuit due to either electromagnetic conduction or electromagnetic radiation emitted from an external source.

Ethernet Passive Optic Network

Enterprise system connector

The ratio of the low, or OFF optical power level (PL) to the high, or ON optical power level (PH):
Extinction Ratio (%) = (PL/PH) x 100

Electromagnetic Compatibility: The ability of electronic equipment to be a “good electromagnetic neighbor”: It neither causes, nor is susceptible to, electromagnetic interference (within the limits of applicable standards).

Electromagnetic Compatibility: The ability of electronic equipment to be a “good electromagnetic neighbor”: It neither causes, nor is susceptible to, electromagnetic interference (within the limits of applicable standards).

A pattern formed by overlaying traces of a series of transmitted pulses in a visual display. The more open the eye, the sharper the distinction between on and off pulses. A diagram that shows the proper function of a digital system. The “openness” of the eye relates to the BER that can be achieved.

Fiber Distributed Data Interface,A 100Mbps fiber optic cabling standard developed by ANSI. FDDI utilizes a dual counter rotating ring topology for network redundancy.

Federal Communications Commission) ,The regulatory body for U.S. interstate telecommunications services as well as international service originating in the U.S.

Abbreviation for Food and Drug Administration. Organization responsible for, among other things, laser safety.

A security-oriented network node set up as a boundary to prevent one segment’s traffic from crossing over to another segment. Firewalls are often used to protect LANs from hackers on the Internet.

The procedure for regulating the flow of data between two devices; it prevents the loss of data once a device’s buffer has reached its capacity..

Simultaneous, independent transmission in both directions.

Flexible glass fibers used to conduct energy. Ideal for secure transmissions. If someone tries to tap fiber, light leaks and transmission fails, so a tap can be detected instantly.

The amount of signal attenuation in a fiber optic transmission.

The measure of the rapidity of alterations of a periodic signal, expressed in cycles per second or Hz.

Ethernet at 100 Mb/s transmission rate. This is defined by the IEEE 802.3 standard

A mechanical component, generally a rigid tube, used to protect and align a fiber in a connector.

An optical waveguide consisting of a core and a cladding that is capable of carrying information in the form of light. Optical fibers are typically made of glass. Plastic optical fibers are also available.

Radius a fiber can bend before the risk of breakage or increase in attenuation.

Fiber to the x. Refers to a host of acronyms based on taking fiber to the home (FTTH), fiber to the node (FTTN), fiber to the curb (FTTC), fiber to the desk (FTTD), fiber to the antenna (FTTA), fiber to the premises (FTTP) and fiber to the tower (FTTT).

Fiber optic service to a node located inside an individual home.

Fiber-to-the-Curb

Fiber to the Desk – FTTD – Fiber optic runs to individual desktops.

A permanent joint produced by the application of localized heat sufficient to fuse the ends of two optical fibers, forming a continuous single light path.

Also called turn-off time. The time required for the trailing edge of a pulse to fall from 90% to 10% of its amplitude; the time required for a component to produce such a result. Typically measured between the 90% and 10% points or alternately the 80% and 20% points.

An industry-standard specification that originated in Great Britain which details computer channel communications over fiber optics at transmission speeds from 132 Mb/s to 1062.5 Mb/s at distances of up to 10 kilometers.

A device which transmits only part of the incident energy and may thereby change the spectral distribution of energy.

A multi-fiber cable constructed in a tight buffered tube design. At a termination point, cable fibers must be separated from the cable to their separate connection positions.

A cable containing one or more optical fibers.

The transfer of modulated or unmodulated optical energy through optical fiber media which terminates in the same or different media.

A transmitter, receiver, and cable assembly that can transmit information between two points.

Any device in which variations in the transmitted power or the rate of transmission of light in optical fiber are the means of measurement or control. Fibers can be used to measure temperature, pressure, strain, voltage, current, liquid level, rotation and particle velocity

An optical instrument consisting of an objective lens, a coherent (usually flexible) fiber bundle and an eyepiece to examine the output of the fiber bundle.

A Fiber Media Converter, or fast Ethernet Media Converter is a device that can be used to bridge two Ethernet networks using a single fiber cable, providing two-way communications through one single-mode fiber cable.

Similar to BPON but based on higher Gigabit speeds. Like BPON, these systems may use an RF overlay for video, but because of their increased bandwidth per subscriber, are also being used for IPTV deployment, in which all services (voice, video and data) are placed on the GPON and the RF video overlay is not required.

An optics fiber whose core has a nonuniform index of refraction. The core is composed on concentric rings if glass whose refractive ineices decrease from the center axis. The purpose is to reduce model dispersion and thereby increase fiber bandwidth.

Gigabit Interface Converter: A removable transceiver module permitting Fibre-Channel and Gigabit-Ethernet physical-layer transport.

A digitized video interface, standardized in SMPTE-292M, used for broadcast-grade transmission of uncompressed, unencrypted digital television signals.

The ability to remove and replace components of a machine, usually a computer, while it is operating. Once the appropriate software is installed on the computer, one can plug and unplug the hot-swap component without rebooting.

The use of fiber to distribute cable-television signals to nodes, which in turn distribute them to homes over coaxial cable.

A telecommunication technology in which optical fiber and coaxial cable are used in different sections of the network to carry broadband content. The network allows a CATV company to install fiber from the cable headend to serve nodes located close to business and homes, and then from these fiber nodes, use coaxial cable to individual businesses and homes.

Abbreviation for high-definition television. Television that has approximately twice the horizontal and twice the vertical emitted resolution specified by the NTSC standard.

A network device that receives a signal from one station and retransmits to all other connected stations

Transmission in either direction but not both simultaneously

A fiber optic cable containing two or more different types of fiber, such as 62.5 µm multimode and single-mode

InfiniBand architecture is an industry standard, channel-based, switched-fabric, interconnect architecture for servers. InfiniBand architecture changes the way servers are built, deployed, and managed.

The basic facilities, service and installations needed for the functioning of a community or society, such as transportation and communications systems.

A civil international organization, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, established to promote standardized telecommunications on a worldwide basis. The ITU-R and the ITU-T are committees under the ITU, which is recognized by the United Nations as the specialized agency for telecommunications.

The attenuation caused by the insertion of a device (such as a splice or connection point) to a cable

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) — An international professional society that issues its own standards and is a member of ANSI and ISO.

The worldwide computer network used for reference, e-mail, and other services. 2) Any large network made up of several smaller networks. 3) A group of networks that are interconnected so they appear to be one continuous large network and can be addressed seamlessly at the OSI Model Network Layer through routers.

The worldwide computer network used for reference, e-mail, and other services. 2) Any large network made up of several smaller networks. 3) A group of networks that are interconnected so they appear to be one continuous large network and can be addressed seamlessly at the OSI Model Network Layer through routers.

integrated circuit.

The outer, protective covering of the cable. Also called the cable sheath.

Small and rapid variations in the timing of a waveform due to noise, changes in component characteristics, supply voltages, imperfect synchronizing circuits, etc. See also DDJ, DCD, and RJ.

A short fiber optic cable with connectors on both ends.

A very strong, very light, synthetic compound developed by DuPont which is used to strengthen optical cables.

Network elements that originate and/or terminate line signals.

The maximum amount of power that is allowed to be lost per optical link

A network that remains within one facility (department, office, building, campus)

A diagnostic test in which the transmitted signal is returned to the sending device after passing through all or part of a data communications link or network. A loopback test compares the returned signal with the transmitted signal.

Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Used as a transmitter in optical systems.

Lucent Connector. High-density connector.

Light emitting diodes. Used as a transmitter in lower speed optical systems.

Horizontal intrabuilding backbones where limited-smoke, zero-halogen requirements exist.

The wavelength range between 1570 nm and 1610 nm used in some CWDM and DWDM applications.

The path of a point on a wavefront. The direction of the lightwave is generally normal (perpendicular) to the wavefront.

In fiber optics, a generic for the optical signal transmitter in an optical loss test set – OLTS.

Usually, a fiber with a core of 200µm or more.

A standard or protocol for signal transmission or processing to perform certain functions. It includes standard interfaces with other layers, which perform other functions.

The part of the telephone network extending from the central (switching) office to the subscriber.

An acronym for MOdulate/DEModulate. Modems are data communications devices that convert digital signals to analog signals for transmission over analog public telephone networks.

A type of fiber optic cable where the core diameter is much larger than the wavelength of light transmitted. Two common multimode fiber types are 50/125 and 62.5/125.

A device that divides a transmission into two or more subchannels, either by splitting the frequency band into narrower bands (frequency division) or by allotting a common channel to several transmitting devices, one at a time (time division).

A single communications line or circuit that interconnects several stations and usually requires some kind of polling mechanism to address each connected terminal with a unique address code.

Tool used for removing the 250 µm or 900 µm coating from fiber.

Multiple terminations push-pull (MTP) is a type of connector.

MPO is defined by IEC-61754-76,which is a multiple fiber core connector.

Mechanical transfer registered jack (MT-RJ) latch is a type of connector.

Miniature unit.

An optical fiber cable that contains two or more fibers.

A network covering an area larger than a local area network. A series of local area networks, usually two or more, that cover a metropolitan area.

Allowance for attenuation in addition to that explicitly accounted for in system design.

Abbreviation for mean time between failure. Time after which 50% of the units of interest will have failed. Also called MTTF (mean time to failure).

Non-Zero Dispersion Shifted fiber. A singlemode fiber with the zero-dispersion wavelength slightly beyond the spectral region for transmission in order to improve performance.

Network devices that are installed in computers so that they can be connected to a network. Ethernet NICs come in different speeds as well as with connections to different media types.Node: A device or station connected to a network.

Abbreviation for National Association of Broadcasters. A trade association that promotes and protects the interests of radio and television broadcasters before Congress, federal agencies and the Courts.

1) A terminal of any branch in network topology or an interconnection common to two or more branches in a network.
2) One of the switches forming the network backbone in a switch network.
3) A point in a standing or stationary wave at which the amplitude is a minimum.

1) An undesired disturbance within the frequency band of interest; the summation of unwanted or disturbing energy introduced into a communications system from man-made and natural sources.
2) A disturbance that affects a signal and that may distort the information carried by the signal.
3) Random variations of one or more characteristics of any entity such as voltage, current, or data

Storage elements that connect to a LAN and provide file access services to computer systems. A NAS Storage Element consists of an engine, which implements the file services, and one or more devices, on which data is stored. Much like a SAN, a NAS is used to share storage resources across multiple servers; however, NAS technology does not provide LAN traffic relief.

An I/O adapter that connects a computer or other type of node to a network. The term NIC is universally used in Ethernet contexts. In Fibre Channel contexts, the terms adapter and NIC are used in preference to host bus adapter (HBA).

A network adapter board is a circuit board or another hardware component that connects the network directly with the terminal equipment. It can be a plug-in board for the bus system in the terminal equipment. The network adapter board is the physical interface to the communications network. It includes the appropriate jacks for connection to the physical medium.

Abbreviation for optical distribution network. Term for optical networks being developed for interactive video, audio, and data distribution.

Optical Fiber Nonconductive – Plenum.
Cable installed in ducts, plenums, and other spaces used for environmental air must be listed as having adequate fire-resistant and low-smoke producing characteristics.

Optical Fiber Nonconductive – Riser. Cable used in riser areas which are building vertical shafts or runs from one floor to another floor.

Optical Fiber Nonconductive General Purpose. Type OFNG cable must be resistant to the spread of fire and suitable for general-purpose use, with the exception of risers and plenums.

Optical Line Terminal. For BPON and GPON systems, this is the electronics that reside in the CO/HE and which control the ONTs served at each subscriber’s location. Typically, OLTs service 16, 32 or 64 ONTs.

Optical Network Terminal. For BPON and GPON systems, this is the electronics located at the subscriber’s premises.The ONT converts the optical signal to copper and coax-based signals for connection to phones, computers and televisions in the residence

A network technology that aims at transporting a number of communication protocols over an optical fiber. This includes serial protocols (e.g. RS232) as well as telephony (POTS/ISDN), audio, Ethernet and video (via M-JPEG, MPEG2/4).

the lowest optical-transmission rate in the SONET standard, 51.48 Mbps.

A fiber-optic line capable of 2400 megabits per second.

Optical Multimode 1 (62.5/125 mm – 200/500 MHz•km BW)

Optical Multimode 2 (50/125 µm – 500/500 MHz•km BW)

Optical Multimode 3 (50/125 µm 1500/500 – MHz•km BW)

Optical Multimode 4 (50/125 µm 3500/500 – MHz•km BW)

Optical Single-Mode Fiber. Corning Optical Communications currently manufactures cable to meet OS2 requirements.

Optical Single-Mode Fiber.

Optical time domain reflectometer. Corning Optical Communications OV-1000 Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) provides testing flexibility by combining a rugged platform with field-interchangeable multimode, single-mode and advanced testing modules.

A device which adds or drops individual wavelengths from a DWDM system

A device that amplifies an input optical signal without converting it into electrical form. The best developed are optical fibers doped with the rare earth element, erbium. See also EDFA.

A component used to block out reflected and unwanted light. Also called an isolator.

The time interval for the rising edge of an optical pulse to transition from 10% to 90% of the pulse amplitude. Alternatively, values of 20% and 80% may be used.

A device that allows the details of a region of an optical spectrum to be resolved. Commonly used to diagnose DWDM systems.

In fiber optics, this is the radiant power, expressed in watts.

Processing and switching signals in optical form as well as transmitting them optically.

A communications protocol for transmitting packets over circuit-switched protocols SDH or SONET.

Piont to Piont

Point-to-multipoint

Optical fiber cable that has a connector installed on one end. See Cable Assembly.

PIN diode is a diode with a wide, lightly doped ‘near’ intrinsic semiconductor region between a p-type semiconductor and an n-type semiconductor regions. The p-type and n-type regions are typically heavily doped because they are used for ohmic contacts.

Polarization mode dispersion

Polyvinylchloride is a type of plastic material used for cable jacketing. Typically used in flame-retardant cables.

Any switching communications system, such as Telex, TWX, or public telephone networks, that provides circuit switching to many customers.

The direction of the electric field in the lightwave. If the electric field of the lightwave is in the Y Axis, the light is said to be vertically polarized. If the electric field of the lightwave is in the X axis, the light is said to be horizontally polarized.

Abbreviation for passive optical network. A broadband fiber optic access network that uses a means of sharing fiber to the home without running individual fiber optic lines from an exchange point, telco CO, or a CATV headend and the subscriber’s home.

Plastic optical fiber An optical fiber made of plastic.

In data communications, a sequence of binary digits, including data and control signals, that is transmitted and switched as a composite whole. The packet contains data, control signals, and possibly error control information, arranged in a specific format.

Panda is a common style of PM fiber, using round and symetrical stress rods on either side of the core to induce polarization.

A component that doesn’t require outside power.

Any device that does not require a source of energy for its operation. Examples include electrical resistors or capacitors, diodes, optical fiber (photo), cable, wires, glass, lenses, and filters.

A method of delivering current to devices using Ethernet connection cables

Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable,an industry format including QSFP Transceiver,QSFP DAC,QSFP AOC.

Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable with 28Gbit/s each lane

Registered Jack – 45 refers to the interface standard. 8 pin 8 IDC regular jack

A network device that interconnects networks. Routers provide traffic control and filtering functions, they are commonly used to connect a LAN to the Internet

The ratio of the power launched into a cable and the power of the light returned down the fiber. This measurement is expressed in positive decibel units (dB). A higher number is better. Return Loss = 10 log (incident power / returned power).

A routing protocol in TCP/IP and NetWare that identifies all attached networks as well as the number of router hops required to reach them.

An EIA interface standard between DTE and DCE that uses serial binary data interchange. It’s the industry’s most common interface standard.

EIA interface standards operating with RS-449 that specify electrical characteristics for balanced circuits and extend transmission speeds and distances beyond RS-232. RS-422 is a balanced-voltage system with high noise immunity; RS-423 is the unbalanced version.

A balanced interface similar to RS-422 but using tristate drivers for multidrop applications.

Restriction of hazardous substances. RoHS, also known as Directive 2002/95/EC, restricts the use of specific hazardous materials found in electrical and electronic products.The restricted materials are hazardous to the environment, pollute landfills and are dangerous in terms of occupational exposure during manufacturing and recycling.

An optical fiber made with core and cladding materials that are designed to recover their intrinsic value of attenuation coefficient, within an acceptable time period, after exposure to a radiation pulse.

The maximum acceptable value of average received power for an acceptable BER or performance.

The loss of signal power resulting from the reflection caused at a discontinuity in an optical fiber.

A network topology in which terminals are connected in a point-to-point serial fashion in an unbroken circular configuration.

In fiber optics, this is the device at the receiving end of a fiber optic system that converts an optical signal to an electrical signal, and houses the necessary signal processing to output telecommunications, data, or A/V signals.

in fiber optics, the ratio of optical power reflected to the incident power at a connector junction or other component or device. It is expressed as a negative value in decibels – dB.

An small form factor test fixture used loop an electrical signal from the Tx side of a port to the Rx side of a port, prior to population with an optical transceiver.

Single element (e.g., a simplex connector is a single-fiber connector)

A 10-bit, scrambled, polarity independent interface, based on a 270 Mb/s data rate, with common scrambling for both component ITU-R 601, composite digital video, and four channels of (embedded) digital audio. Most new broadcast digital equipment includes SDI.

A second cause of attenuation. Scattering occurs when light collides with individual atoms in the glass.

A type of fiber with a small core that allows only one mode of light to propagate.

A computing device that provides a service to users on a network (clients). An example is a file server that stores and maintains documents for retrieval

A switch is a multiport bridge that segregates different portions of a network for faster network access (See Basic Ethernet Theory – right).

A Bellcore and ANSI standard that defines transmission of synchronous and time sensitive (ex: real time video) information. SONET provides a way for worldwide carriers to connect equipment.

A professional group whose committees set standards in television and motion picture industries. The RS-422 SMPTE serial interface is used on video equipment.

Television standard, written by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), that describes a serial digital interface (SDI) for 10-bit 4:2:2 component and 4fsc composite digital transport.

Television standard, written by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), that describes a synchronous serial interface for MPEG-2 digital transport streams.

A measure of the extent of a spectrum. For a source, the width of wavelengths contained in the output at one half of the wavelength of peak power. Typical spectral widths are 50 to 160 nm for an LED and less than 5 nm for a laser diode.

Subscriber or square connector. Type of connector.

Straight tip. Developed by AT&T. Type of connector.

Synchronous optical network

SONET is a contraction of synchronous optical network, the ANSI (North American) standard for transmitting data over fiber optic lines; SDH is an abbreviation of synchronous digital hierarchy, the ITU-T (European) standard for transmitting data over fiber optic lines.

The minimum acceptable value of received power needed to achieve an acceptable BER or performance. It takes into account power penalties caused by use of a transmitter with worst-case values of extinction ratio, jitter, pulse rise times and fall times, optical return loss, receiver connector degradations, and measurement tolerances. The receiver sensitivity does not include power penalties associated with dispersion, or backreflections from the optical path; these effects are specified separately in the allocation of maximum optical path penalty. Sensitivity usually takes into account worst-case operating and end-of-life (EOL) conditions.

The ratio of power emerging from two output ports of a coupler.

A commonly used term for light in the 665, 790, and 850 nm ranges.

Small Form Factor: Specification for optical modules.

Small Form Factor: An optical module.

Small Form Factor Pluggable

Terabits (trillion, or 1012 bits) per second.

In telecommunications, the cable used to transport DS1 service.

Transceiver is combine with Transmitter and Receiver,which is a computer chip that uses fiber optic technology to communicate between other devices.

A device that includes a source and driving electronics. It functions as an electrical-to-optical converter.

The part of a satellite that receives and transmits a signal.

A ring-based network scheme in which a token is used to control access to a network. Used by IEEE 802.5 and FDDI.

Transmitting multiple channels on a single transmission line by connecting terminals, one at a time, at regular intervals, interleaving bits (Bit TDM) or characters (Character TDM) from each terminal.

Telecommunications companies

Provides international accepted industry standards and specifications for communication practices.

Telecommunications Industry Association

Transmitter

Abbreviation for transistor-transistor logic. An old logic family.

The phenomenon of light rays reflecting at the core-clad boundary of an optical fiber, allowing transmission along the length of the fiber. It occurs when the angle of incidence is lower than the critical angle.

Underwriters Laboratories® develops standards and test procedures for products, materials, components, assemblies, tools and equipment, chiefly dealing with product safety. UL also evaluates and certifies the efficiency of a company’s business processes through its management system registration programs.

Ultra physical contact connector

Vertical cavity surface emitting laser

An abbreviation for variable optical attenuator

The distance between two successive points of an electromagnetic waveform, usually measured in nanometers (nm)

A network that spans a greater distance and needs the involvement of a public carrier.

Laser that operates at ITU grid wavelength.

The variation in an optical parameter caused by a change in the operating wavelength.

Wavelength Division Multiplexer – a technology that separate signals of different wavelengths carried on one fiber,including CWDM and DWDM.

Wavelength Independent Coupler.

Structure that guides electromagnetic waves along its length. An optical fiber is an optical waveguide.

In single mode fiber, the Wavelength at which the effects of Chromatic Dispersion and Waveguide Dispersion are lowest; zero dispersion provides greatest information carrying capacity.

Related to Fiber optics, a zip cord is a two-fiber Cable consisting essentially of two single-fiber cables having their jackets conjoined by a strip of Jacket material.

Two-fiber Cable with two single Fiber cables having conjoined jackets. The zipcord cable can be easily divided by slitting and pulling the conjoined jackets apart. Zip Cord cables include both loose-buffer and tight-buffer designs.