The new 3M Expanded Beam Optical Connector System is a scalable single and multimode interconnect system for data centre applications.
Corning has agreed to buy substantially all of 3M’s Communication Markets Division to for $900 million in cash. The deal is part of the company’s strategy to spend $1 billion to $3 billion in acquisitions, Corning said.
3M’s communications business, which has annual global sales of about $400 million, consists of optical fibre and copper passive connectivity products for the telecom industry – including xDSL, FTTx and structured cabling systems – and, in certain countries, telecom system integration services.
3M has launched its latest generation of BPEO splice closures for fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) distribution networks. (BPEO is an abbreviation of boite protection environmental optique, a name that has been known within the industry for more than a decade.)
Providing fast and consistent quality of installation, the new BPEO product family aims to bring FTTH network cabling projects within reach of a far wider range of suppliers, without needing to always depend on highly qualified fibre-optic engineers.
FormFactor's fast photonic wafer probers enable rapid tests through faster photonic alignment than previously possible. (Credit: FormFactor Inc)
To some, optical communication product buyers’ expectation that prices continually fall may seem a strange and unnecessary pressure on vendors.
Image credit: Christoph Burgstedt/Shutterstock.com
The submarine cable industry is still a very healthy one, with figures from Research and Markets predicting that it will reach $30.8bn by 2026.
Image credit: Farknot Architect/Shutterstock.com
The drive toward 5G and beyond has been a key factor in the demand for higher bandwidth and more reliable networks. This has, in turn, brought about a greater appetite for intelligent infrastructure supported by automation.
Image credit: kmls/Shutterstock.com
Arguably one of the biggest topics in optical communications in the past two years has been fifth-generation coherent optics, with a raft of trials and demonstrations, highlighting 800G wavelength achievements taking place.
Image credit: nutalina/Shutterstock.com
Fibre deployment is currently taking place at pace throughout the world. According to the latest study from research firm, Global Industry Analysts (GIA), the global FTTH/B market is predicted to reach S31.3bn by 2026.
Fibre networks have allowed 5G trials to take place across areas of South Africa such as Port Elizabeth (MD_Photography/Shutterstock.com)
Kithinji Muriungi of KamsHub presented at this year’s OFC, focusing on how fibre technology in Africa might look in 2030
Jay Tourigny takes a look at cleaning techniques and which are suited for different applications
