PRODUCT PREVIEW BICSI 2020 WINTER CONFERENCE PRODUCTS

High-density fiber-optic patching system shrinks cassette

The HD8² High Density Fiber Optic Patching system from Tactical Deployment Systems is specifically designed for ease of installation and economy of space. The smaller square cassette used in the proprietary design, versus the typical flat wide cassette, lends itself to a smaller profile. The cassettes come with a snap-on pulling eye cap. The pulling eye cap snaps onto the front of the cassette and acts as both a pulling eye and a cover to protect the internal connectors. This design simplifies the installation process of preterminated trunked cassettes, and as a result can reduce dB loss by reducing the number of termination points throughout the cabling design.

Tactical Deployment Systems, LLC, tacreadydeploy.com

PoE-driven power supply with lithium battery backup

Billed as “revolutionizing the power of access control,” the Tango1B from Altronix is a PoE-driven power supply/charger module delivering 12VDC and 24VDC simultaneously for deploying access control systems. “Powered by any 802.3bt PoE power source up to 90W, the Tango1B harnesses the new IEEE standard,” explains a company statement, which further contends, “this industry game-changing solution eliminates the need for an electrician, dedicated conduit, and wire runs—providing tremendous savings by using low-voltage installers and wiring methods.” For added system ROI, the Tango module also provides battery charging for Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries (LiFepo4). The company adds that the Tango1B’s unique stackable design allows for use of compatible Altronix subassemblies, leveraging a single system footprint.

Altronix, altronix.com

Hand-bendable cable tray mounts anywhere without brackets

Snake Tray will be demonstrating its Universal Snake Tray at BICSI's 2020 Winter Conference and Exhibition. The Universal Snake Tray features an all-in-one mounting system for enhanced cable management in wall and overhead installations. The system’s patented mounting rings can be used to mount anywhere and require no additional brackets. The Universal Snake Tray is hand-bendable, with no cutting required, to easily fit around any obstacle. The tray’s circular pocket design maintains proper bend radius for optimal performance and protects and secures both fiber and copper cables. Cables are easily loaded from the side. The Universal Snake Tray’s pieces nest together for economical shipping and material handling. Cable trays are available in 2-, 4- and 6-inch options with galvanized, stainless steel or powder coat finishes. All Snake Tray products are made in the USA.

Snake Tray, snaketray.com

Netscale 72 deploys Base-8 and Base-12 fiber

R&M says its Netscale 72 provides “a single platform with best-in-class density” for enabling Base-8 and Base-12 fiber deployments in building large spine-and-leaf data center networks. The system offers RFID-based automated port documentation and visual guidance of work orders. As noted by the company, “To meet today’s and tomorrow’s business demands, both trunk cables and transition modules must provide a clear migration path to even higher speed Ethernet without increasing footprint.” With a split-tray design that enables easy installation while minimizing network downtime, the Netscale 72 platform performs splices independent of cable types and fiber counts. It can, for instance, splice a 144-fiber ribbon cable onto a 12-port MPO cassette. The company says the innovative platform can “enable flexible, modular cable management on a new level, plus a new dimension in automated infrastructure management—the sum total of its innovations make Netscale 72 the most intelligent optical cabling system,” contends R&M. The company adds that the system’s deployment versatility serves to futureproof overall network investments.

R&M, rdm.com

Berk-Tek’s PowerGIG-OAC

Building automation, security and WiFi systems often require devices to be located more than 100 meters from the switch. Security cameras, emergency phones, wireless access points, and access-control devices can be located in parking lots, parking garages, and at various other places inside and outside the building. Connecting and powering these devices can present a challenge. Berk-Tek has developed a product to alleviate this challenge. PowerGIG-OAC from Berk-Tek is an outdoor managed PoE switch that extends your network to remote and/or harsh environments. When local power is available, this 1-Gbit/sec switch can deliver up to 90 Watts to 100 meters. It is intended for use with security cameras, wireless access points, digital signage, PoE lighting systems, and more applications.

Berk-Tek, berktek.us

Future-enable LAN multimode fiber infrastructure with Cailabs’ Aroona

Cailabs says its Aroona solution is easily installed to upgrade existing multimode optical networks. Delivering a considerable increase in bandwidth, the system enables 10/40/100-Gbit/sec transmissions over legacy multimode fiber infrastructure, without requiring deployment of new-generation optical fibers. By eliminating modal dispersion, the Aroona-Star system circumvents bandwidth limitations. Regardless of network topology, the Aroona-Star box can transport 10 Gbits/sec or more over multimode fiber and thereby support evolution in network traffic, eliminating long, complex and expensive new fiber deployments. As a multimode-to-singlemode 2xN splitter, the system simplifies LAN renovation to the innovative passive optical LAN (POL) network architecture, Cailabs says. The solution enables GPON broadband connections to be delivered by optical fiber to the desktop via access network technology while retaining the existing multimode infrastructure.

Cailabs, cailabs.com

Very small form factor duplex LC connector

US Conec will feature its MDC connector, a very small form factor duplex optical connector manufactured with proven 1.25-mm ferrule technology used in industry-standard LC connectors. Insertion and extraction of the MDC connector occurs with a simple push or pull on a flexible and robust strain relief boot. Fiber density is increased by a factor of three over standard duplex LC connectors using innovative MDC three-port adapters designed to fit into existing duplex LC panel hardware. The MDC connector is specified as a breakout transceiver interface in both QSFP-DD (4:1) and SFP-DD (2:1) MSAs. Polarity can be effortlessly changed in the field or factory to support multiple cabling methodologies without the need for tools and without exposing or twisting delicate fibers. Easily identifiable polarity marks on the top and side of the connector provide notification of reversed polarity. The polarity change methodology is applicable to UPC and APC polish applications, ensuring support of low back-reflection architectures.

US Conec, usconec.com

AEM’s TestPro comes in competitive on pricing

At the BICSI Winter Conference, AEM will provide a hands-on workstation for its TestPro network tester. As noted by the company, “With the proliferation of smart building deployments, the need for network bandwidth and power has never been greater and it is rapidly increasing, with the adoption of technologies such as PoE and multi-gigabit Ethernet over copper cabling.” To meet this growing need, AEM designed the TestPro, billed as “an affordable, easy to use, versatile and rugged testing solution purpose-built for this modern network environment.” TestPro provides the ability to fully ensure infrastructure readiness to support the deployment of IoT connected devices, be they for lighting, multi-sensor cameras, building entry, wireless APs, monitors, computer workstations, or even single pair and long-haul applications, including powered fiber. “The best part," AEM says, "all of this comes at an affordable price that will allow organizations to outfit more technicians to optimize efficiency during both deployment as well as ongoing management and troubleshooting.”

AEM, aem-test.com

The next generation of reliable power distribution

Chatsworth Products, Inc. (CPI) will introduce the next generation of its eConnect power distribution units (PDU) line at the 2020 BICSI Winter Conference and Exhibition. The company says the high-performance features of the upgraded eConnect PDU are designed with organizations’ availability and efficiency goals in mind. These features include: a redundancy pack with one black and one white PDU for easy identification of sides A and B; temperature ratings of up to 149 degrees Fahrenheit (65 degrees Celsius) for high-density applications; field-replaceable controller modules for simple serviceability; a patented Secure Array feature that allows the use of a single IP address for up to 32 connected PDUs; phase-balanced outlets; low-profile locking outlets that do not require proprietary cords; and electronic lock integration.

Chatsworth Products, Inc. (CPI), chatsworth.com

Leviton’s Opt-X HDX fiber-optic patching system

The Leviton Opt-X HDX system is engineered to provide a complete and consistent patching platform from the entrance facility throughout all areas of the data center and out to telecom rooms. Maximizing density in the given space, the HDX platform includes multiple enclosures, panels and distribution frames to patch up to 144 LC fibers per RU, or 3,168 LC fibers on one data center tile. Panels and enclosures are available in 1RU, 2RU, and 4RU sizes, with superior fiber density per rack unit to help consolidate patching and free up rack space, while providing easy port identification and cable management. Geared for service providers, central office facilities, large enterprise and cloud data centers, the system can reduce the patching footprint to save organizations money, states the company. The Leviton HDX series adapter plates, cassettes, and splice modules enable multiple termination requirements to accommodate space limitations and growth needs, and can speed deployment and MACs through easy one-hand installation and removal. LC and MTP connector options are available in 12- or 24-fiber configurations with available conversion/breakout cassettes; TAP cassettes; and a splice module for dense environments.

Leviton, leviton.com

Versatile copper and fiber network cable testers

Softing will demonstrate its portfolio of copper and fiber network cable testers, including the company’s WireXpert cable project certifier, NetXpert XG cable project qualifier, and FiberXpert fiber-optic-cable OTDR. Of the NetXpert XG, Softing explains, “While one crew is testing with the WireXpert on your largest projects, your other crew is using this new category of tester on small to mid-sized projects—proving cable speed and length,” while using built-in project creator and editor functions, complete with pass/fail reporting.

Softing, softing.us.com

Single- and ribbon-fiber splicers

AFL will introduce a new line of field fusion splicing equipment—the Fujikura 90S and 90R Series. The new models “feature enhanced productivity and minimal maintenance never seen before in fusion splicing,” boasts the manufacturer. The Fujikura 90S single-fiber core-alignment model includes multifunction sheath clamps that eliminate the need to swap clamps when splicing loose-buffered 900-µm fiber. The addition of fiber retention clamps and the ergonomic placement of the sheath clamp exit provide quick and easy transfer to the <15 second heater for splice sleeve installation. For its part, the Fujikura 90R ribbon fiber splicer provides “unprecedented features for newer generation flexible ribbons” such as the company’s SpiderWeb Ribbon, says AFL. Both fusion splicer models provide optional automated operation and communicate with the Fujikura CT50 Bluetooth-enabled cleavers for accurate cleaver blade management.

AFL, aflglobal.com