Single-mode optical fiber design with wide-band ultra low bending-loss for FTTH application

Abstract

We propose a new design of a single-mode optical fiber (SMF) which exhibits ultra low bend sensitivity over a wide communication band (1.3 microm to 1.65 microm). A five-cladding fiber structure has been proposed to minimize the bending loss, estimated to be as low as 4.4x10(-10) dB/turn for the bend radius of 10 mm.

Novel Low-Bend Large Effective Area Fiber for Fiber-to-the-Home Application

“…In other words, in order to reduce splice loss, the MFD of the designed fiber for FTTH application must be equal to the conventional SMF used in communication. It is useful to mention that the splice loss during splicing of proposed fiber structures with the conventional SMF can be minimized by making their MFDs as equal as possible [3]. One method to increase the effective area of fibers is to replace the raised refractive index layer in the cladding region, so the field distribution spreads to outer layers and this yields to the non-Gaussian field distribution [11].…”

“…Away from the economical benefit of optical fiber, however, several detriments appear in the home application because the optical fiber is necessarily bent at various corners of 2 A. Rostami and S. Makouei walls; the bends can be small as 5 mm to 15 mm, and therefore, a severe power penalty is caused [3]. Designing bend-insensitive fibers for FTTH includes important technical challenges.…”

“…In the conventional optical fiber structures, there is a trade-off between bend loss reduction and the mode field diameter (MFD) increment. It is useful to mention that the splice loss during splicing of bend-insensitive fiber structures with the conventional SMF can be minimized by making their MFDs as equal as possible [3]. In the meantime, the field distribution must also be equalized.…”

“…An experimentally realized optical fiber has been reported to have a 0.05-dB/turn bending loss at 1.55 m for the bend radius of 10 mm [9]. In other work, Watekar et al [3] reported a new design of SMF that can theoretically be bend insensitive over a wide communication band. They also minimized the splicing loss with the conventional SMF, as the MFD is optimized to be closer to that of conventional SMF.…”

Novel Design Method for Single-Mode Bend-Insensitive Fiber Appropriate for Fiber-to-the-Home Application

“…In other words, optical fiber access networks are considered to be the most promising alternative for broadband services provision in the local loop. However, away from the economical benefit of optical fibers, several detriments appear in home applications because the optical fiber must be bent at various corners of walls, and the bends can be as small as 5 mm to 15 mm; therefore, a severe power penalty is caused [3]. Designing bend-insensitive fibers for FTTH contains important technical challenges.…”