What's hot at OFC22? 3M on Expanded Beam Optics

 With all the discussion surrounding silicon photonics and co-packaged optics, and considering the possibility of moving lasers from the faceplate to nearer the switch, it's clear the industry will look for a new generation of reliable connector, says Duane Preiss, Portfolios Marketing Director, 3M. Expanded beam optical is delivering a solution.

Webinar archive: Expanded beam optics

Monday, July 19, 2021  COBO, Video  

How do you ensure the reliability of a fiber connection to a switch at very high line rates or once co-packaged optics (CPO) solutions come to market? Dust is always a concern, especially at 400G and above, when even a small contamination can lead to magnified disruptions. Reliable optical interconnects are key! The latest OSFP 4.0 spec introduces support for Expanded Beam Optical (EBO) technology, opening up new possibilities.This webinar explores...

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3M intros Expanded Beam Ferrule and Connector System

Thursday, March 21, 2019  3M  

Earlier this month, 3M introduced an Expanded Beam Optical Connector System for single mode and multimode interconnects in next-gen data centers. “We’ve reimagined fiber optic connectors,” said Nick Stacey, Ph.D., global laboratory manager at 3M. “Our ferrule and connector technology is designed to reduce cleaning requirements, to provide design flexibility and to enable the performance necessary for next-generation optical deployment.” The 3M...

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3M adds partners for Beam Optical Connector system

3M signed Rosenberger OSI and Molex as its first partners in its Expanded Beam Optical (EBO) Connector ecosystem. These companies intend to manufacture and sell expanded beam optical solutions based on the 3M Expanded Beam Optical Connector System, including optical patch cords using this technology.

“The addition of these trusted and experienced assembly solution collaborators to the ecosystem will accelerate our ability to serve data center customers with the experience they need and expect,” states Kris Aman, global marketing manager at 3M. “Our collaboration with Rosenberger OSI and Molex will help us continue to develop and expand this exciting technology to enable next-generation data center optical connectivity.”

Rosenberger OSI and Molex are the first assembly solution collaborators to join 3M’s ecosystem. The ecosystem already includes inspection tool collaborators, EXFO and Sumix, who are developing adapters for their tools, inspection images and pass or fail criteria for 3M connectors.

3M intros Expanded Beam Ferrule and Connector System

Thursday, March 21, 2019  3M  

Earlier this month, 3M introduced an Expanded Beam Optical Connector System for single mode and multimode interconnects in next-gen data centers.

“We’ve reimagined fiber optic connectors,” said Nick Stacey, Ph.D., global laboratory manager at 3M. “Our ferrule and connector technology is designed to reduce cleaning requirements, to provide design flexibility and to enable the performance necessary for next-generation optical deployment.”

The 3M Expanded Beam Optical Ferrule uses a non-contact optical coupling in contrast to the more traditional physical contact methods. Together with the connector design, this helps to provide reduced sensitivity to dust, helping maintain signal integrity, and reducing the need for, and cost of, maintenance and cleaning.

It is available in single mode (1310 nm) and multimode (850 nm) versions. In single mode, insertion loss specification is <0 .70="" and="" db="" is="" loss="" return="">55 dB. In multimode, insertion loss specification is <0 .30="" and="" db="" is="" loss="" return="">25 dB. The configurable and scalable connector design can accommodate anywhere from 12 fibers to 192 fibers. The simple, but robust hermaphroditic component geometry design, with low part count, can be mated and re-mated reliably with a simple LC-style latch. The performance enables architects and engineers to deploy the technology in multilink data center applications.

http://www.3M.com

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3M intros Expanded Beam Ferrule and Connector System

Earlier this month, 3M introduced an Expanded Beam Optical Connector System for single mode and multimode interconnects in next-gen data centers.

“We’ve reimagined fiber optic connectors,” said Nick Stacey, Ph.D., global laboratory manager at 3M. “Our ferrule and connector technology is designed to reduce cleaning requirements, to provide design flexibility and to enable the performance necessary for next-generation optical deployment.”

The 3M Expanded Beam Optical Ferrule uses a non-contact optical coupling in contrast to the more traditional physical contact methods. Together with the connector design, this helps to provide reduced sensitivity to dust, helping maintain signal integrity, and reducing the need for, and cost of, maintenance and cleaning.

It is available in single mode (1310 nm) and multimode (850 nm) versions. In single mode, insertion loss specification is <0 .70="" and="" db="" is="" loss="" return="">55 dB. In multimode, insertion loss specification is <0 .30="" and="" db="" is="" loss="" return="">25 dB. The configurable and scalable connector design can accommodate anywhere from 12 fibers to 192 fibers. The simple, but robust hermaphroditic component geometry design, with low part count, can be mated and re-mated reliably with a simple LC-style latch. The performance enables architects and engineers to deploy the technology in multilink data center applications.

http://www.3M.com

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Corning to acquire 3M's communications division for $900 million

Corning agreed to acquire 3M’s Communication Markets Division in a cash transaction valued at approximately $900 million. This business consists of optical fiber and copper passive connectivity solutions for the telecommunications industry including 3M’s xDSL, FTTx, and structured cabling solutions and, in certain countries, telecommunications system integration services.

3M’s Communication Markets Division, which is based in Austin, Texas, has an annual turnover of approximately $400 million for its high bandwidth and optical fiber products. This puts the acquisition at less than 7 times the Communication Markets Division’s estimated forward-annual adjusted EBITDA, including expected run-rate synergies.

Corning said it expects the transaction to add $0.07-$0.09 to 2019 EPS. In addition to its operations in Texas, the 3M business also has a dedicated manufacturing facility in Pontchâteau, France, and operations in Hannover, Germany. Approximately 500 3M employees are expected to join Corning upon completion of the transaction.

“Corning leads in optical passive components and solutions. This transaction expands both our global market reach and our high-bandwidth portfolio. It also provides new co-innovation opportunities and enhances our ability to serve customers globally,” said Clark S. Kinlin, executive vice president, Corning Optical Communications. “As the industry’s only true end-to-end manufacturer and supplier of optical solutions, we look forward to bringing these two strong organizations together and welcoming a group of outstanding employees.”

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3M Intros FTTH Pathway for Routing Fiber into the Home

3M introduced a new FTTH pathway solution to inconspicuously route fiber from outside to inside residential and commercial settings.

The 3M Clear Track product family includes technology poised to set new industry benchmarks for craft-friendly installations, while creating a nearly invisible network footprint.

3M Clear Fiber Drop Cable – an all-dielectric FTTH Clear Fiber Drop cable transitions fiber cable from outdoors, where ruggedness is required, to indoors, where aesthetics are desired, without the need for a splice or connection point. With easy-peel technology, the flat, jacketed cable opens to expose a single 900 μm clear buffered ultra bend-insensitive fiber (ITU-T G.657.B3) that’s ready for indoor routing with the 3M Clear Track Fiber Pathway. Clear Fiber Drop Cable can easily be pulled through conduit due to its low friction, low profile cable design.

3M Clear Track Fiber Pathway – the Clear Track Pathway captures and routes a single 900 μm clear fiber to the desired outlet or terminal while remaining virtually invisible. The pathway features 3M’s proprietary clear tape adhesive backing with an easy-peel liner. It installs directly to most walls without staples, heat guns, glues or leaving behind a bulky raceway.

3M 900 μm Clear Fiber – the clear buffered and ultra bend-insensitive, Clear Fiber locks into the Clear Track pathway and provides high-performance bandwidth and low insertion loss even with multiple 90º corners. The fiber can be easily repositioned and reinstalled for convenient extensions and rerouting.

3M Clear Track Fiber Installation Tool – compact and mechanical, the Clear Track Installation Tool is a hand-held rolling device that requires no power source. It secures Clear Fiber in the Clear Track Fiber pathway with required pressure and precision. The installation process requires limited training to operate.

3M One Pass Mini Surface-Mount Wall Outlet – available with SC/APC or SC/UPC adaptors, the One Pass Mini Surface-Mount Wall Outlet is an equally low-profile way to complete the Clear Track FTTH connection near an ONT or customer premise equipment.

http://www.3M.com

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